10th Hole – Glen Abbey Golf Club
Ben Hogan is a genius.
Imagine, after three putting the last hole then talking to yourself to the tee box, you face a tee shot like the 10th hole at Glen Abbey Golf Club. As you approach the hitting area, look out over the hole, you start to think….oh my, now what.
Novice golfers worry about their last shot and forget to focus on what is in front of them. Experienced golfers are able to focus on the job at hand. Competitive golfers are able to execute shots under pressure. Professional golfers think about their next shot and how to take advantage of the hole layout. There are many other variations to focused golf, but I think you get the point.
By following Hogan’s advice to only worry about the next shot, many of us amateurs would cut down on the multiple stokes gained from making a mistake. I know that through the years I earned many ‘extra strokes’ because I focused on the past instead of the present. It happens less now, but still happens.
This year, it is time to stay focused mentally on my next shot and reduce those unwanted errors. Not sure I fully understand how I am going to do this……any suggestions?
I am a grateful golfer. See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
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Jim,
It can often be challenging to shrug off bad shots. My new thought on the course is simply “acceptance”. I’m fully immersed in my target and have faith it will go there, but keep a sense of acceptance for wherever the ball ends up. This helps me keep a level head after a shot doesn’t go where planned.
Cheers!
Josh
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Josh
Great attitude. Acceptance is definitely a mental mantra we should all use. This fits into Vets view of you swing that day. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers
Jim
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Reblogged this on Eat. Sleep. Golf. Repeat and commented:
It’s easy to follow up a bad shot with another. The trick is NOT to do that. Here are some thoughts on what to do.
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Great post. Very easy to follow up a bad shot with another one. I try not to follow up a bad shot with another bad shot. But Three bad shots followed up with a good one still is par for any par 4 hole!
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Yes, a par with one good shot is still a par. Good point. I would counter by saying that 3 bad shots usually does not result in a par….Regardless, it is all fun and sometimes it is better to be lucky than good!
Cheers
Jim
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All I can say is three bad shots really make me focus on your shots
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