Can't Bring My Practice to the Course

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By Carl T

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  • 8 Replies
  1. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    I need some advice or guidance. The short game has been my weakness for years. I'm talking about chipping,short pitch shots from 60 yards in to the pin and green side bunker play. I have spent many hours every week working on these shots and can execute them great getting the ball within a 6 foot circle and closer on a consistent basis. I have a 9.8 hcp index but it could be several strokes better if I could just quit being like a deer caught in the headlights when I play. I don't have a regular group I play with so I am always playing with some one I have never played with before or just a few times in the past. Today I threw away at least 6 strokes where I would be around the green and I just felt very uncomfortable getting ready to chip and would execute the shot so fast that the club head would get way ahead of my hands and would be the kiss of death as the ball would go any where but on the green. Green side bunkers takes me two or three strokes to get out because I just can't duplicate my practice. I can play a round by myself and I play much better. I am relaxed and my tempo is smooth on all shots. Playing with others and I have to chip or pitch to get on the green and I'm a wreck. Shots from the tee box,fairway or putting there is no problem. One more thing. I practice a lot more than I play. Do I just need to start playing more and practice less ? Help.The Deer in the headlight.
  2. Clinton M

    Clinton M
    flowery branch

    you need to start playing more and pratice less.
  3. Kent J

    Kent J
    Oklahoma City, OK

    I've got 3 suggestions you might try. I'm a 2.0 handicap and average 60% in scrambling. 1) If you can, try playing more. The more time you spend on the course the better you'll get at it. 2) I don't know what kind of short game practice you're doing now but here is one of my favorite drills. Take 3 golf balls and play from 40 yards and in. Play the same shot, from the same spot, to the same flag with all 3 balls. Whatever your worst result is take your putter and the other 2 balls to that spot and make 3 putts for par. This will help get you used to executing shots with consequence. 3) If you haven't already, read the book "Inner Game of Golf". This will help with the game between your ears. Hope this helps. 

  4. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    I do need to play more. I played 4 times last week but normally I play 2 or 3 rounds a week. I need to find a comfort zone when I get near the green. It seems like all of my practice on my short game just goes out the window with a fast swing, jabs and stabs. What is funny (or sad) I can throw down another ball and hit it great but that one doesn't count. If there was some way I could play "junior" as my real stroke ?
  5. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    I had the book 'The Inner Game of Golf' but never read it. Started reading it yesterday and right off I recognized one of my issues. Getting tight, tension and self doubt when getting ready to chip or make a short pitch. At least now I understand why my muscles get so tense. I will overcome that little voice inside my head telling me what to do when I'm under pressure and just ignore it and just execute the shot like I have done a thousand times in practice. Also went to the local book store and picked up Zen golf. Will read it next. It is so hot here in Arkansas golf is just not in the cards until we get out of this Heat Advisory of 105-110 degree heat index. Reading in the cool is the way to go right now.
  6. eagle3

    eagle3
    Fairfax, IA

    Probably the biggest factor you are facing is a lack of self confidence. I know, as I had the exact same problem and it took a while to overcome that bugger. I went out and played more and decided that I would just take the easy way out and not care so much about my score and as I began to relax and just believe that I could chip and get out of those tough spots, my game improved. It is going to take some time for you get that way, but relaxing and laughing some of those errors off is going to show up sooner rather than later.

  7. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    eagle3 said:

    Probably the biggest factor you are facing is a lack of self confidence. I know, as I had the exact same problem and it took a while to overcome that bugger. I went out and played more and decided that I would just take the easy way out and not care so much about my score and as I began to relax and just believe that I could chip and get out of those tough spots, my game improved. It is going to take some time for you get that way, but relaxing and laughing some of those errors off is going to show up sooner rather than later.

    I hear you brother. After reading some of the books recommended (I'm still reading them) you are correct about the lack of confidence. I am playing more and I am attempting shots I have practiced but never brought to the game due to fear of screwing up. Today I played very relaxed and attempted some shots that were low percentage to come off and lost some strokes but I did not get mad because I just wanted to see if I could pull them off. Some of them that I had practiced worked and a couple I have not spent much time practicing did not. At least now I'm shooting back in the high 80's getting closer to my HCP. I putted with a mind of a child today. Having no fear of the ball rolling out of the "3 foot circle".Made some long putts and made most of the come back putts. I have played 3 days in a row this week and probably will play at least once this weekend. I appreciate all the encouragement I can get. I think we all get to fixed on a number and forget how much fun and challenging the golf game can be regardless of the score.
  8. Geoffrey B

    Geoffrey B
    Celina, OH

    Practice on the course

  9. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    I was going to hit some range balls yesterday at the club but when I arrived in the late afternoon I decided to just go play by myself. I had one of the best rounds I have played in weeks. Best in the meaning that I played without any fear, tension, tightness or doubt and my ball striking was good for the most part. My driver finally woke up and I hit the ball further and kept it in the fairway other than a couple of holes. I had the misfortune of hitting the ball in a couple of green side bunkers on down hill lies to short pins with very little room to swing from the back edge. These came out hot as expected but you know what, I knew that ahead of time and was happy to just get out. Shot one stroke above my HCP but the main thing I had fun and did not worry about bad rubs of the green. I just excepted the few bad lies as a challange. My chipping was not bad but much better than the last couple of weeks. I was a little strong but that is better than never even getting the ball to hole or even on the green.Key is playing more and practicimng less and keeping the right attitude that this is a game and not a reflection of how I am veiwed by other people. If you want to impress your fellow golfers you will do well to just enjoy every stroke and keep it fun. A laugh will not hurt every once in a while when you nail a tree dead center when trying to get back on the course from the rough either.

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