Frustration Management in Golf

Dear Golfers,

Like to know what are the ways that you calm yourself 20 mins before you tee off for a game or tournament....

Observation 1: Plugging in their MP3 during the practise sessions....wonder what kind of music you're listening too if you have this habit...do share what type of music in your MP3 so i can broaden my collection.

Observation 2: Chain smoking/ chew some gums

Observation3: Do nothing and stare blindly while waiting for your turn.

I really enjoy this game and realise the power of golf..sometimes it makes you happy, sometimes sad and most time, MAD I have this problem of losing my cool with bad shots...haiz...and i will re-collect the frustration even after the game...guess i am too serious with the game... Do u have this problem? Please advise.......

One suggestion is to train very very hard...and practise practise very berry hard....and clocked as many games.....after that should be ok...

PS: I am a seasoned beginner...seasoned becos play many years...but std like beginner

before a game:

1) think how many strokes i should ask
2) think how many ppl i should ask for strokes
3) think how much i should win

before tournament:

1) think how many strokes i should ask
2) think how many ppl i should ask for strokes
3) think how much i should win



yup, that should calm the nerves....

you need to train on your mental to be strong..

golf will train patience and strong mental.....

it is you that you need to work on....

Haiz... I hav been training pretty hard though...one classic example: Last game, I was third to tee off.. and did 2 dry swing...yeah ..kool... i thought. Then, as i swung my driver towards the ball for the actual one....BOOMZ I dug the ground with my mighty strength that i could almost see earthworms in the tee box..and my ball dart about 100 metres away.... i was like....anger taking over, vision blurring..and felt like hiding my head into the soil...Gosh!

Yeah, this experience certainly kicks me to train harder but at the same time, haunting me....hmmmmm....

Balata, you're suffering from a very common syndrome. Its commonly known as the "try-to-hit-the-ball syndrome".

During your practice swing, when you're not focused on hitting the ball, your swing would be smooth as silk.

But once the ball becomes the target...
...
...
Charles Barkley, exhibit A.

i was in your shoes couple of months back. Then I seen a pro (if you are reading this, bro, give yourself a pat!) to sort out some swing fundamentals... he also make his students read Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Rob Rotella. That made me stay calm and more relax on course.

One of the key takeaways I had from the book is that as hard as we might try, the minute we hit the ball, we must accept whatever outcome... good or bad bounce. That is just golf. recently I chipped in for birdie, i find myself very calm. Next hole i made double bogey... i stayed calm too

in the past, I would have cussed under my breathe and let all negative thoughts creep in and my round will be a disaster. I know a lot of folks in this forum dun believe in sports psycho... I was not that convinced, until now.

so, ease up buddy. Golf is a game to be played. Dun beat yourself up too much. if your swing fundamentals are ok, then you just have to trust it.

try beer, improved by 20 shots!!!!! on the back 9 over the front 9. Never tried drinking before a game though...... or have u ever played better after a rain break?

Relax and easy = better shots. playing in the hot sun also does not help.

Balata, perhaps it might help if you remember that golf is a game of opposites. The more loose and relaxed you are, the better you play. The more angry tension there is in you and the harder you try, the worse the round will get. Why let the anger blow all that training out the window once you get on the course? Instead of running the bad shots through your head, run the good shots for positive reinforcement.

If you remember Phil Mickelson when he first won the Masters, he was on cruise control, in the zone, relaxed and smiling all the time. He won.

Being in the zone creates effortless power.

Anger will just make it all powerless effort.

In golf you are your own worst enemy.

pocketace wrote:

Golf is a game to be played. Dun beat yourself up too much. if your swing fundamentals are ok, then you just have to trust it.

as long as u bring CONFIDENCE to your game, u will be alrite......

Birdman wrote:

Anger will just make it all powerless effort.

In golf you are your own worst enemy.

i so agree with u. happy holidays.

Balata, it is not so much of what you do before the game.

for me, i will go and range before my game if i have the resources and the time. but that is more to help of a warm up and prep for game rather than mental state of mind.

I did a confession and got a small discussion going on here.

For me, usually not to mess things up, i tend to 'slow down' before my game. Give myself ample time to slowly get to the tee box and collect my thoughts. Don't you find yourself hitting better when you swing slower?

As for mid-game anger management, read the attached thread. you should be able to find more there.

Happy Holidays.

Wow... its a beautiful day....after reading the replies, anger subsides, vision resume and back on track..Stay Kool