I think all golfers have at least one “nemesis shot”, a golf shot that they just plain don’t like or aren’t comfortable at all with. These shots could be legitimately difficult ones like being short-sided out of the rough, but the true nemesis shots tend to be the ones we feel like we should be able to handle easily, like a 20 yard chip off a tight lie or short forced carries over hazards. The simple answer to these shots is to practice them, but that’s not something we can do in the moment out on the course. For that, here’s a couple of mental tips I think could help:
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Set normal expectations: By normal expectations, I mean asking yourself what should you reasonably expect from this shot given your game? I think too many golfers fall into the trap of extremely lowered expectations (“I just want it somewhere on the green” or “just clear the water”). In a strange way, these types of thoughts can increase the stress of the shot because now you’re afraid of failing at even the lowered expectation and all of this makes it more difficult to produce a good swing.
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Talk through the shot: As part of your preparation, audibly talk through what you’re going to do for the shot. Describe your choices, the swing you’re going to produce, and the desired shot as if you’re talking to an audience. While it might be strange to do this on every shot, this audible reinforcement can help make a stronger visualization, better preparing you to perform.
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Follow your pre-shot routine and then hit it: After talking through the shot, don’t make any adjustments to your pre-shot routine, just follow it and take the swing. Spending extra time or extra practice swings beyond your norm is just reinforcing the idea that this shot is different and because different is “bad”, it ups the stress level. At the end of the day, it’s just one golf swing, so get it done.
What do you all think? Any shot types or advice you’d like to share?
