What I'm Struggling With

General Discussion
#1

Thought this might be a fun catch all for problems on the course… I’m in a weird spot, so I want to write out what is going on…

I’m coming back to golf after a back injury in August 2020. I’m about 2 months back to swinging full now in May 2021… so I had a long layoff, and my return to golf has had some fits and starts… This week has been the first week that I’ve actually felt confident with my golf swing, and I still managed to shoot a mediocre 41 (I won’t talk about the wash out that was my back 9, but I didn’t play well)… it was 5 pars, 3 bogeys and a double on the 9th (a very hard hole)… Here’s what I’m thinking about in my game:

Strategy: One of my biggest issues is what the correct strategy is for various holes… it has led to some indecision on tee boxes, which has led to some bad swings… I need to fully commit to the shots I’m trying to hit, and thus I need to fully commit to my strategy… This part is coming along, but it’s going to come down to more reps on the golf course and “success” with my strategies to build positive memories to solidify them… My strategy is still in flux on a course I’ve played at least a hundred times! So that’s fun.

Putting: I’ve documented it plenty… It’s greatly improved, but still needs some reps. I’m contemplating more heads up putting, and definitely like it on the practice green. Still the occasional three putt, but they are all from 40+ feet out, so I’m improving. (I’m not counting the three putt on the back yesterday where I was distracted by the stream of water falling from my visor onto the ball… it was wet)… This is a confidence issue again… Same as strategy… I’m starting to sense a theme.

Chipping: Only so many hours of practice in a day, and this area just hasn’t gotten the reps in… I’m a good chipper on most days, so I think this just needs some time… My confidence here is fine, I just need to get back my feel for different shots… Need to start working more chips in during my practice sessions… everything else is feeling pretty good, so chipping should be low hanging fruit for me.

Driving: This is vastly improved since last week, but I’m still grinding… Honestly, I wish I could hit driver in our simulator, but it’s too close for me and my swing isn’t my “real” swing… I just need some on the course reps and some better mental focus.

Consistency… Really, this should be FOCUS… My mental scorecard is awful. I think this is the biggest area of improvement for me, and will tighten up everything else… I think it also ties back into strategy… Knowing what I am aiming to do, and committing to the shot are my big lapses… This is what I need to actively work on on the course!

2 Likes
#2

The focus thing is really tough…at least for me. I played my league Tues night and I was playing decently, finished with a 40 on our tough back 9, but I totally lost focus a few times. I love match play because I think it helps me focus hole by hole, but my opponent was out of a lot of holes (I won the frist 7 and tied the last 2) and a few times when I knew he was out of the hole I lost focus on the next shot. I maybe could have 3-putted twice and chunked a 9i any way, but it felt like I knew the hole was over and I checked out.

People keep wondering how I can be an 18 when I can play some really good golf for stretches, but when you keep making doubles and triples it’s easy. I find I really do struggle to commit to shots and “stay in the moment”. Even during the day at work or elsewhere, I struggle to stay on task. Maybe ADHD or whatever, but I need to work hard (making lists, notes, etc) to get things done.

2 Likes
#3

yeah, I definitely struggle to stay focused elsewhere in life… I’m hoping if I can figure it out on the golf course, it will carry over elsewhere! Golf seems a great place to practice it, as it’s focused and committed to the task at hand for about 30 seconds and then I can go back to thinking about other random stuff.

1 Like
#4

I just finished rereading “The Match” and there’s a great section about Harvie Ward and his ADHD. That was an era where it wasn’t diagnosed, but essentially was what he had. He was a great player because he could absolutely lock in for the 10-20 seconds required to select a shot and execute. So perhaps you can turn it into an advantage!

Personally, I am a textbook overthinker. I need to find a way to hit a shot, accept the outcome and move on. I tend to get ahead of myself, and then start rushing everywhere. I try to rein myself in by telling myself to walk and swing “unhurried”

4 Likes
#5

This is an interesting lesson from Steve Johnson. Basically, he triggers a pre-shot, shot, post-shot analysis period of no more than 45-60 seconds when his is focused on that shot. Other than that, he turns off his ‘golf mind’ to engage in chatting with his mates, enjoying the scenery, etc. Or other random stuff.

1 Like
#6

Had way better focus today… for at least 9 holes… need to keep working on it and not let bad holes destroy my concentration.