McRock
Well-known member
We've all heard it before. When you go to the driving range, make your swings count. Don't just beat balls down the range. Have a purpose with each shot. Practice like you play an actual round of golf.
Lately, I've been considering how I play casual rounds versus how I play competitive rounds, particularly in regard to shot selection. During the typical casual round at my home course (including league rounds), I will try any shot put in front of me. Most of these shots are short game shots (flop shot, bump a hybrid and let the ball run onto the green, etc), but occasionally, I'm faced with trying to bend a ball around a tree, or trying to hit that perfect punch shot through a small window. I would guess that 10% of the time, I hit the shot the way I envisioned and saved myself a stroke. 40% of the time, I hit the shot ok, and at least didn't lose any strokes (when compared to if I had just taken the 'safe' shot). 50% of the time, I mess it up, I end up with double bogey. But I always like to try those shots. I just think it's fun, and it's always nice to know that if it is all on the line, at least it's a shot I've played before.
Compare that to competitive rounds. For the last three years, I've gone into my City Tournament with basically one 'mental game' thought, which is "no double bogeys." I've been relatively successful. When preparing for it, I basically take all of those tricky 'fun' shots out of the bag, and just focus on the 'safe shot' that will ensure that I don't get a double bogey. And hey, I can't argue with my results in the City Tournament the last three years of win-win-T3. I also play 8-10 strokes under my 18 hole casual round average during the city tournament.
Would I (or you) be better off playing my casual rounds with that same "no double bogeys" and "don't try the crazy shot" mentality? Would it make me better in the competitive rounds? Should I save the 'crazy shots' for when I'm just working on my short game?
This is sort of a mental game question. I'm not even sure there is a 'correct' answer. But I'm hoping it spurs some discussion.
~Rock
Lately, I've been considering how I play casual rounds versus how I play competitive rounds, particularly in regard to shot selection. During the typical casual round at my home course (including league rounds), I will try any shot put in front of me. Most of these shots are short game shots (flop shot, bump a hybrid and let the ball run onto the green, etc), but occasionally, I'm faced with trying to bend a ball around a tree, or trying to hit that perfect punch shot through a small window. I would guess that 10% of the time, I hit the shot the way I envisioned and saved myself a stroke. 40% of the time, I hit the shot ok, and at least didn't lose any strokes (when compared to if I had just taken the 'safe' shot). 50% of the time, I mess it up, I end up with double bogey. But I always like to try those shots. I just think it's fun, and it's always nice to know that if it is all on the line, at least it's a shot I've played before.
Compare that to competitive rounds. For the last three years, I've gone into my City Tournament with basically one 'mental game' thought, which is "no double bogeys." I've been relatively successful. When preparing for it, I basically take all of those tricky 'fun' shots out of the bag, and just focus on the 'safe shot' that will ensure that I don't get a double bogey. And hey, I can't argue with my results in the City Tournament the last three years of win-win-T3. I also play 8-10 strokes under my 18 hole casual round average during the city tournament.
Would I (or you) be better off playing my casual rounds with that same "no double bogeys" and "don't try the crazy shot" mentality? Would it make me better in the competitive rounds? Should I save the 'crazy shots' for when I'm just working on my short game?
This is sort of a mental game question. I'm not even sure there is a 'correct' answer. But I'm hoping it spurs some discussion.
~Rock