As a beginner playing golf it can sometimes feel very frustrating that your successful practice doesn’t always transfer straight into better shots on the golf course. This can be infuriating at times having seen practice sessions result in consistently straight, well struck shots on the range yet a wide variety of wild, badly struck shots on the golf course.
This inconsistency is down to many things, mainly the fact that when you are practicing you are in a completely different environment. You have an almost unlimited supply of golf balls for one. This takes all of the pressure off of the shot. You will be more relaxed and as the end result doesn’t really matter, you will also be more likely to try and execute the correct swing technique that you are carrying out in your lessons.
It is this relaxed feeling you need to try to take onto the golf course. Remember that everyone hits bad shots, look at Tiger Woods, he misses a fairway by 40 yards at times, if this is happening to the greatest player ever then you shouldn’t expect to have a round with no errors involved.
Here are some ideas to maintain your calm and patience on the golf course:
1. Take one shot at a time – do not look too far ahead or have too high expectations on upcoming shots or holes. Do your best to execute the shot you are about to play
2. Have practice swings – use these to rehearse the swing you wish to carry out. This will relax you and get your muscles ready for the upcoming jobs they need to carry out
3. Keep it simple – if you go onto the golf course with a head full of swing thoughts then you will probably crumble. Have one clear objective for your swing. A two second swing cannot handle 5/6 thoughts
4. Let it out – for the volatile player give yourself a 10 metre walk after a bad shot to get any frustrations out of your system. Say what you like (to yourself) but after those 10 metres your sole concentration should be on the next shot. Do not let one bad shot drag you down for the next 2/3 holes
5. Mix it up – mix between course and range practice. Use the range and practice areas to master the technique and the golf course to learn how to play golf. Playing golf is an art so get out there and play.
The more you play on the course the more comfortable you will start to feel out there. This will lead to a more relaxed approach to each stroke. Trust me, one day it will click and the scores will tumble. Just be patient and enjoy your golf.
Dan is a coach at The James Andrews School of Golf in East Sussex
Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com
Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com
Hi Dan,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the blogasphere! I will eventually get down to the golf course with Tim at some stage just as soon as I have climbed Kilimanjaro, learnt how to play the guitar and all the other hobbies I have. ;-)
I've linked to you and I'm following. At some stage I'll add a button to my sidebar.
Sian
Dan,
ReplyDeleteA constant struggle for the majority of golfers and a topic that needs to be discussed.
Great Start on the topic.
JG
Hi Sian
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. ould be good to see you back at the Golfschool soon with Tim. Sounds like you are pretty busy right now though.
John
It is true, so often the frustrations of bad performance on the golf course carry over too long for golfers. The mental side is vital and an understanding of how the golf game works is vital. One step at a time for all people learning.
Hey Dan
ReplyDeleteI've always thought I'm pretty good at not getting annoyed or affected by my bad shots on the course (good job, because there are so many!) but I wonder if this is because those bad shots don't matter so much as a high handicapper? When (if) it comes down, those bad shots will mean more, so I guess it's then that people need to concentrate more on not letting their mental state get affected?
Is there an average handicap where you notice people get most frustrated by those bad shots?
That is definately a true point. Any errors the better you get undoubtedly become more costly. As a beginner frustrations normally come as a result of extremely poor shots (e.g air shot/topped). However as a better player your bad shot may be a 10 yard push or pull resulting in a penalty shot or awkward up and down position.
ReplyDeleteIt is all relative. The bad shot of a better player is not always that bad and it is here where the mental side is so important. All players make mistakes, miss greens etc, its being strong enough mentally to carry on and even bounce back to make up for any errors.
I think when players hit the teen handicap range their expectations rise considerably as they can often par many holes.
Even a 17 handicapper may have 4-5 pars, however there may be a quadruple bogey and a treble. Its here where frustrations need to be controlled.