Are you confident with your golf shots?
Glen Abby Golf Course
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Making Confident Shots!
confidence
I Will Putt That, Thank You.
I recently asked the question about being offered a guarantee two putt from 15 feet or further during your entire round. My intent was that you had to take the every time. I was wondering how many players would take the offer. There is the results:
I have to say that I am not really surprised. Most players, including myself, think that if you are putting, no matter the distance, we are confident that we can sink the putt. This poll brought an idea to mind that I would like to share.
Confidence is critical to low golf scores. You have heard me discuss this in the past, but it is a topic that warrants repeating. I still like David MacKenzie from Golf State of Mind views of how to build confidence in your golf game. (for a more detailed explanation click here) Here is what he has to say:
- Don’t be Self Critical.
- Don’t Give Yourself Technical Feedback on the Golf Course.
- Visualize and Feel.
- Develop a Strong Shot Routine.
- React Indifferently to Bad Shots.
- Take Yourself Out of Your Comfort Zone.
- Change Your Goals.
- Focus On What You Did Well.
- Recall pass success.
- Believe in Yourself!
Confidence in your golf swing, course management, and the mental side of golf goes along way to being a scratch golfer. Every time I tee it up, I hope to shoot my best score ever and have the confidence in my game to do it! I continually work on my game in my perceived areas of weakness and in turn this builds my confidence to perform well on the course.
How confident are you in your game?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Tale of Two Nines
Random Golf Statue outside a wood carving shop in Oberammergau, Germany. (April 2015)
Yesterday was a unique experience at my home course of Roundel Glen. The back nine is temporarily closed, so I played two rounds on the front. It was a cold, windy day, but it was still fun to hit the links. Interestingly, I played two completely different rounds of golf in the space of 3 hours!
The first nine holes was a struggle. I shot a 43 with 2 doubles, 3 bogies and 4 pars. I had zero putts for birdie and every swing seemed out of sync. Granted, I did not warm up properly (or at all) and I was rushing from the car to the first tee because I was still in work mode. The only highlight of this round was that my friend Jean was there to share in my misery.
After the first nine, I considered stopping. However, in true “can’t get enough golf” fashion, we pressed on and played another 9 holes. As I walked to the first tee, again, I started my internal self-talk. If I change my thoughts, I can change my results! Additionally, I only needed one good shot and I was sure things would turn around.
The first hole on my course is a par 3, 150 yard beauty. Last year, this hole was a 210 yard, par 3 monster. However, due to construction, the hole was shortened. Playing into a strong left to right wind, I selected one club more than usual (7 iron), aimed 10 yards to the left of the green and swung with confidence. My ball landed on the left fringe and bounced on the green. This shot helped boost my confidence, but was not the shot that changed my round. It was the next shot.
After reading the uphill, left to right breaking putt, I took careful aim and made the 20 foot ‘fall in the side door’ putt! It was my first birdie of the year on my home course and I suddenly felt relieved and confident walking to the number 2 tee box!
As the round unfolded, I smoothly ended up with 7 putts for birdie! I was one under until the sixth hole and ended even after that. I finished strong and was not in any trouble for the entire 9 holes. My drives were in the fairway (except for the sixth hole), my approach shots were accurate, and my putting was good. Overall, this 9 holes was exactly what I was expecting after the birdie on the first hole.
For those doing the math, I shot a 79 – 43 / 36. This early in the season, I happily accept both results. However, the lesson from yesterday is to never panic, stay focused, and know that one good shot has the potential to change your entire game.
As I have stated in the past, I never worry about my score in May. It is unrealistic to think I am in mid-season form and as such, I curtail my expectations until I have had a chance to practice and play more. The 2015 season is well under way. I have 6 rounds completed and will be hitting the links tomorrow. I hope to better my round of 79, but if not, I will be grateful to be playing!
How is your 2015 golf season going?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Facing Challenges in Golf
The ability of any golfer to face challenges with confidence is difficult at best. Through the years, I have overcome several set backs, but there was one thing that always helped me stay confident and focused. It was nothing earth shattering or profound, however it was always around and all I needed to do was to remember what it was.
Before I reveal my secret weapon, take a moment and see if you can guess what it is! It is in everyone of us, we all have access to the source of this great tool, but we have to believe that it is there to help….always. Lastly, we have to be able to accept this simple, yet powerful thing when it shows itself. Have you figured it out yet?
The belief that my next shot is the one that fixes my game! I always believe that no matter how challenging my golf game is, that the next shot will show me the way back to playing well. Before you call me goofy and crazy, think about it.
You are playing a round of golf and your first four holes are a complete struggle, then out of no where, you hit the perfect shot! All of a sudden your attitude changes, the confidence increases, and everything is working like a well oiled machine. This happens often and I would suggest to every golfer.
So, when my four holes turns into a couple rounds (or more) I do not panic. I try to clear my head from all the white noise and let my game shine through. I have unwavering confidence that my game is just one shot away!
What do you think? Do you have that one shot in your bag?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Confidence is a Powerful Tool
Golfing is a unique sport that has so many moving parts, that even the slightest change can spell disaster or success. Take the Travelers Championship today! Ken Duke won his first PGA tournament in his 187th start. He played very well in the last round and was beaming with confidence after winning the second playoff hole over Chris Stroud. Today was his day and rose to every challenge. His performance may be very difficult to duplicate, however it can be done if he continues to believe he can play well and compete with his peers…..he must remain confident!
How many times have you stepped up to the ball and hit the exact shot you envisioned? Your confidence increases and your next shot is pure as well. Conversely, how many times have you stood over the ball and the voice in your head fills you with doubt. Then you shank your shot and say “See, I knew you could not do it.” Confidence is a powerful tool!
So how do you gain and keep your confidence? Is it really something that can be turned on and off? Is it something you have to find or is it a state of mind?
DR. BOB ROTELLA, from Golf Digest, has ten things that will build confidence in any golfer. Rotella suggests: “I believe every golfer has the potential to be much better than he or she is, and that using the mind is one essential way to improve. You will never know if you have the ability to be the best player in the world, or the best player in your club, unless you commit yourself to developing both your physical and mental skills.”
David MacKenzie from Golf State Of Mind, also suggests ten things that all golfers can do to improve their confidence. My favorite is #10 – Believe in Yourself! There is simply no reason not to! That can be applied in all aspects of our lives, but that is a discussion for another day.
Regardless of which points resonate with you. Confidence is a state of mind! By mentally staying positive and focused on each shot, any golfers confidence will grow. My specific trick to build confidence is to mentally play the shot in my mind from behind the ball. It is like watching the shot on TV! Even if I hit a bad shot, I go through the same routine on my next shot. It works for me and something I am confident in!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 