Have you ever wondered why you suddenly are in a pickle when playing golf? Things are going well and you are having a great round. Then suddenly, one shot forces a U-Turn in your game and you are scrambling to make bogey or worse! It happens more times than ever hoped in my game and I wonder why such unexpected things happen when I am cruising to a low score. Well, I have figure it out – I jump to confusion when playing!

When playing well I sometimes want to squeeze just a bit more out of my game. I begin to wonder if hitting a higher risk/reward shot will enable me to score just a bit lower. You know what I mean, you are playing well and feel that you are in total command of your swing. Then suddenly, that low percentage shot becomes an impossible shot after your re-evaluate the penalty strokes you are adding to your score.

I have found that when I am hitting the ball well and playing with confidence that I sometimes lose my perspective on my game. I start to think I am “Seve” and can make the impossible shot. It does not happen often, but every now and then……

I call this jumping to confusion. I become confused on how good my game really is and my capabilities to make certain shots. I realize that it is important to be confident, but trying the Roy McAvoy shot with the hooded 4-iron at the pelican on the post in the middle of the pond is not in my game. No matter how much I think it is at a specific time, it really is not!

Of course after I make the “dumb” shot I realize I jumped to confusion, again. It is a challenge in my game that I struggle with from time to time. Often I can prevent myself from jumping, but this is not always the case. I do admonish myself, but it does no good. I guess my ego still gets the best for me every now and then.

Do you jump to confusion from time to time?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links.