The “Long” Ball

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf   Why do most golfers make such a fuss about hitting the “long” ball (long drive)?  There is something in a golfer’s psyche that makes him think that “longer” is always better, it couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Smashing your drives can lead to miss-hits with your drive ending up in deep rough, thick woods or the desert.  Hitting the ball longer and harder creates a greater likelihood of getting in trouble.

Don’t try to drive the bal like Bubba Watson unless your landing area is wide and open.  Otherwise on narrow fairways, play conservatively.  This method is difficult to execute because of the natural instict to hit the ball a long way with the driver.  No one ever said golf was easy !

What Makes Golf so Difficult?

photo credit: Digital Sextant   Golf is one of the most difficult games to play because there isn’t anyone to help you advance the ball from point A to point B.  Although helpful, a caddie cannot swing the club, it’s up to the player.  What makes golf so difficult?

The difficulty comes from three sources:  1)  The Course.  2)  Others.  3)  Yourself. . .  The Course - Unique challenges are faced every time a new course is played (yardage, terrain, turf, weather etc.).  Others - remember the saying “play against the course and not your competitors,” Try doing that the next time your in a close match with someone?  Yourself - it’s mentally challenging to keep your game and thoughts together for 18 holes of golf.

Stay in the Present

photo credit: russelljsmith   Playing golf is a culmination of a series of events that lead up to the hitting phase of the golf swing along with the acceptance of the result.  The phases of a single golf shot are comprised of six simple steps.  Comprehending these steps will guide you in a one-shot mindset and keep you in “the present.”

1)  Assess the shot (wind, lie, distance) and your feelings about the shot.  2)  Analyze all options for playing the right shot.  3)  Make an educated decision as to the type of shot you will hit.  4)  Commit to your decision, trust your judgement and step into the shot (step across the play-line).  5)  Execute the swing.  6)  Accept the result of your shot whether it is good or bad.

Define Your Attitude

photo credit: Ben Seidelman   Try the following for a better playing attitude:  Sit down and write out what you think are the most important qualities a golfer can have for building a great attitude.  There are no right or wrong answers.  Here are some examples:

1.)  I will maintain my patience on the course > patience means that you will enjoy each round no matter how many bad shots you hit.  2.)  I will maintain my composure at all times > being resilient and maintaining composure is critical no matter how tough the conditions may be.  3.)  I will enjoy the process > look forward to each shot with enthusiasm and interest – take the good with the bad. 

Identifying these components will help you incorporate them in your game.

What are Your Goals?

photo credit: h.koppdelaney   Psychologists will tell you that the first step in achieving your goals is to write them down.  Here are ten possibilities for you?

1)  What is your dream goal in golf?  2)  What can you achieve with your game?  3)  What is the greatest thing you can accomplish this year with your game?  4)  Do you have a golf improvement plan, if so, what is it?  5)  How badly do you want to achieve your goals?  6)  Name three positive aspects of your game?  7)  Name three aspects of your game that need to be stronger?  8)  What is a positive aspect of your game that has occurred recently?  9)  Do you stay committed to a practice plan?  10)  What is your confidence level when you begin your round?

Believe in Yourself

photo credit: rioncm   Golf can be an easy game when you are playing well.  Your mind is clear and your game seems to be on cruise control.  You are decisive and it seems you can do no wrong.  On the other hand, when you are “off,” every swing is forced, the game becomes difficult as you search for the correct tempo.  The lack of consistency creates doubts and negative anxiety.  You say to yourself “today is just not my day.”

Believing in yourself is the only cure-all.  What you think about yourself is what you are and it also determines what you will become.  Every great champion had one common trait, they all believed in themselves.  You need to do this too!

Be Realistic

photo credit: Seth Lemmons   During any given round, decisions may have to be made that may cost extra strokes.  For instance:  if you have a 210 shot to a green which a large pond in front of it, do you lay-up or go for the green?  Laying-up, could cost you an extra stroke.  Careful consideration should be given to the pros and cons of these kinds of shots.  Sometimes split decisions come at a high cost.

Base your decision/s on the following:  1)  How hard is the shot?  2)  How serious is it if I miss?  Grade each on a number system from 1 to 10, with ten being the maximum.  If you decide that each answer is below 7, hit the shot.  If it’s above that number, decide on another option.

Be Adaptable

photo credit: battlecreekcvb   To play the game of golf well you must be adaptable.  Being adaptable means the ability to play any shot humanly possible for any situation.  As much as you would like your strategy for any given hole to be successful, often times this does not occur, therefore, you must be adaptable to playing shots from the rough, sand, water, woods, desert or any other precarious lie.

There are situations that develop that you have no control over such as the weather.  Instead of trying to reach a 425 yd., par five hole in two, try to adapt to the wet and rainy conditions and count on reaching the green in three instead.  Adapting in this way relieves your stress dramatically and allows you to play the game with more confidence.

Manage Your Game

photo credit: Hawaiiwave19   You must have control of your game and a programmed system to manage it.  Your mind is the most powerful weapon that you have that can take complete control of your actions on the golf course. 

The average player spends only 45 minutes of total focus on their game.  Spending too much time being totally focused is not productive.  Whether you are practicing or playing, never try to focus for too long.  You must allow your brain to relax before the next shot.  That is where control comes into play.  You must develop a “trigger” to turn on your focus. 

In a track meet, the race begins with the starter’s gun.  Golfers don’t have this luxury, therefore, they must develop a point at which they become fully focused on any given shot.

Playing for Recognition

photo credit: PburghStever   Playing for recognition can play a large role in the enjoyment that is derived from the game of golf.  The recognition that you receive from playing well, will give you reassurance that your talents are appreciated.  Whenever you find yourself acknowledging praise from others it is evident that the recognition is very important to you.

Another source of recognition may come directly from yourself.  Wherever the source’s origin, it’s extremely healthy for you to feel good about what you are doing, it applies to life and on the golf course.

Always accept praise with humility, especially during a round of golf.  Never allow any form of recognition to inflate your ego, for that is when your game will begin to suffer.

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