Closing out a round | USHandicap Classic

michaeldriddlejr Professional Champion
Go to Last Reply 156 Views 22 Replies 1 Like
First off a little about my golf game. For years I was stuck around a 12-14 handicap. My swing is good, could hit if far, but was never consistant. I learned to play golf at about 12, took lessons and got the basics of a sound swing but never really took golf serious until I got in my 20's. I moved to Florida for work in 2003 and started playing more and more over the years. And at about the end of 2008 I decided I was going to put the time in and work to become a scratch golfer. I know it is going to be hard, but I am detirmined to shoot par for 18. I have plenty of rounds were I will shoot a good 9 and a bad 9, but I never seem to put it together, and when I do have a chance to get closer to par for 18 I seem to blow it down the strech. I am now a 6.7 index. I practice at least 2-3 times per week. Last year I switched to the "hinge and hold" method of chipping and I am soooo much better at chipping now. I actually hole out chips now and I never used to do that! This has been the major reason my scores have dropped. I give myself a chance at getting up and down way more often. All the practice time is paying off but my real problem is closing out a round. For instance on Tuesday I got out of work early and headed out to get 18 in. All round long I avoided the big mistakes, missed a few up and downs and after 12 I was 6 over. I was striking the ball good, just missed a few up and downs that I should have converted. Then I put it together going 2 under over the next 4 holes. So here I am on the tee to 17..... start thinking about what I can shoot if I do this, or that... Wow, I'm +4 thru 16 from the tips(74.2rating/141slope). Well all these thoughts did was completely take me out of game. I hit a fairway bunker on 17, but hit a great shot getting it to 25-30 feet... only to three putt!! 18, is a 555 par 5, and I bust a drive but lay up beacuse there is a massive bunker protecting a blind shot to the green. Lay up to my perfect distance of 70 yards, although on a downhill lie..... instead of visualizing the shot... I'm thinking... make eagle 75... birdie 76..... ok, i hit the worst shot of the day and shortside myself! didn't even get my first chip on and finish with a bogey! I walk away with a 78, which I should be happy with but I just can't stop thinking about how I gagged on the last two holes. I need help. How do I block those thoughts out!? I need to change something in my thought process so I can focus on the shots, just like I did on the holes leading up to the finish. What do you guys think? What do you do?
cogolfer1 LowIndex
# 1 6/17/2010 11:33:47 AM
Well first of all you need to start remembering how well you hit some shots and block out the thoughts on how you screwed up other shots. As far as finishing a good round you just need to take a few deep breaths after you hit a bad shot. Keep re-assuring yourself you can get it up and down or figure out a way to save par. Don't beat yourself up out there when you still have another shot to play. And enjoy the moment. If I'm trying to set a new low score for myself I enjoy the pressure and the task I want to live up to. You don't get it very often and it's a cool feeling. So just enjoy how good you're playing.
HIGH_LANDER Legend
# 2 6/17/2010 11:38:30 AM
GREAT READ,I AGRRE! the mental part of the game,you should be thinking Process and Not the outcome of the shot.there a book i readed " Wired to Win" by:David Breslow,it has alot of key points to your swing thoughts of the Do's & Not to Do's,check it out.hope the book helps.Also,i notice that you use the hinge method on your chipping.just to let you know,check out the post " Test the Amazing Putter: Calling All Bad Putters" i'm not saying your a bad putter,you are a good putter,i just check your stats,if you have any questions talk to Mike.Last week,i got the Amazing putter,and the dvd,to putt you have to use the Hinge Method,it works very well,Last Saturday,i shot an 76 & 25 putts,i have never had 25 putts,check it out.Hit em long & straight!
michaeldriddlejr Professional Champion
# 3 6/17/2010 1:04:31 PM
The few missed putts or chips at the end were not a result of have bad fundementals, it's that I am thinking about outcome instead of just executing that shot. As I think back over the last few months I have a few finishes like that.... I was -2 thru 7 playing nine last month and finished bogey, double! Another round in Feb i tripled #18 to shoot a 80. I focus hard all day then just have these hiccups at the end of the round. Maybe I need to invest in David Breslow's book.
HIGH_LANDER Legend
# 4 6/17/2010 1:12:33 PM
The few missed putts or chips at the end were not a result of have bad fundementals, it's that I am thinking about outcome instead of just executing that shot. As I think back over the last few months I have a few finishes like that.... I was -2 thru 7 playing nine last month and finished bogey, double! Another round in Feb i tripled #18 to shoot a 80. I focus hard all day then just have these hiccups at the end of the round. Maybe I need to invest in David Breslow's book. CHECK IT OUT,at the public library.book on hand.
MikeNomgi Professional Champion
# 5 6/17/2010 5:39:37 PM
I was -2 thru 7 playing nine last month and finished bogey, double! Another round in Feb i tripled #18 to shoot a 80. I focus hard all day then just have these hiccups at the end of the round. Maybe I need to invest in David Breslow's book. The lowest my index got was 5.9. I have never shot par, but have shot 73 probably a dozen times. My best chance was a few years ago, when I made the turn at -3 (having just missed a 5-footer to get to -4). So I'm thinking as I'm walking to the 10th tee, "today is the day I break par". Well, no it wasn't. After shooting 33 on the front, I shot 43 on the back, which is maybe a stroke or two harder than the front. I have no idea what happened between the 9th green and the 10th tee. Whatever it was probably took place between my ears. But that's golf. Had I broken par that day, life wouldn't have changed. On the positive side, I do hold the distinction of having pitched a no-hitter in high school. Only thing is, we lost 3 to 1. Three walks, a hit batsman, and a passed ball allowed our opponents 3 runs in the fifth inning. Many folks have pitched no-hitters. Few have pitched one and lost the game, so I've always considered my accomplishment very special. It's probably the equivalent of making an eagle in match play and still losing the hole.
JeremyAZ44 Amateur
# 6 6/17/2010 7:23:15 PM
It's definitely a "between the ears" thing, and it's going to be work. I just go out, enjoy the day, and my buddies and I always joke, when we're walking up to 18, that here come the shots that make us keep coming back. I do my best, and let the outcome be what it is.
michaeldriddlejr Professional Champion
# 7 6/18/2010 9:05:35 AM
But that's golf. Had I broken par that day, life wouldn't have changed. On the positive side, I do hold the distinction of having pitched a no-hitter in high school. Only thing is, we lost 3 to 1. Three walks, a hit batsman, and a passed ball allowed our opponents 3 runs in the fifth inning. Many folks have pitched no-hitters. Few have pitched one and lost the game, so I've always considered my accomplishment very special. That is a great accomplishment, no matter the outcome it was still a NO Hitter! Sounds like the other pitcher must have played fairly well too. I am not thinking that shooing, or even breaking par is going to change my life. I know I have the game to do it and I just need to find a way to get my head out of the way.
Robert Premeaux Jr. Professional Champion
# 8 6/21/2010 11:43:15 PM
CobraMan64 nailed it. If you're thinking about your score, you're not thinking about golf. And if you're thinking about your future score, you're not even on planet Earth anymore. You're dreaming. If I could trust somebody to keep my score and stats, I'd let them EVERYTIME. I hate knowing what I am for the day. It's a dark, dreary road that only leads to trouble.
MikeNomgi Professional Champion
# 9 6/24/2010 3:04:26 PM
Other than that, I've found just writing down the score for the hole and adding them up after 18 helps a lot too. Focus on the shot at hand and then try thinking about something else in between holes. This may work well for a high handicapper, but if you're a single-digit, you're going to be aware of how you are playing in relation to par without adding your score as you go along.
michaeldriddlejr Professional Champion
# 10 6/24/2010 3:55:33 PM
Yu know it's been a long time since I have just played and not took score, that sounds like a great idea. Mike ur right about that. Last weekend I rode shotgun and didn't look at the card once and wouldn't u know it. I knew within a shot of where I was. I shot 78, two bad swings all day. I was pleased with the round. Michigan, where u live in the MI? I was just in the Traverse City area over memorial day weekend, and Ann Arbor a few days after! Played some great tracks while I was up there.
michaeldriddlejr Professional Champion
# 11 6/25/2010 4:20:41 PM
While in TC I played The Crown which was ok. Think it was under $30. Nice bent grass greens so for someone who lives in FL I was happy with those! We also played The Lelalanu Club in Sutton Bay, NW of TC. I can't spell so check my rounds played and u will see how to spell it. That course was amazing. Lots of huge elevation changes and all around a great track! Next time I'm in that area again I will play there cuz I played like crap. It was more like $45 for that course. I lived in A2 for years, and if you play out that way the best choices are Stonebridge, Leslie Park(top rated muni in MI) and one of my personal favorites Eagle Crest. EC is EMU home course, it's in Ypsilanti and usually over $60, but use golfnow dot com, I find really good deals on there all over the place! Lots of nice places done here in FL, if ur ever coming this way hit me up, I'll tell u where the deals are.
LindseyM Legend
# 12 6/25/2010 5:14:55 PM
don't keep your own score, I keep my husband's scores sometimes and he does better when he doesn't think about. I typically don't keep my score at all, I just go out and enjoy playing. I don't care about numbers. Play within your handicap: Try moving up to the next forward tee box instead of always shooting from the tips, take your time to plot out your shots, manage the misses and see how that works; you may shoot under par. Do that for a couple rounds then move back to tips and see the difference.
Pizutes Professional Champion
# 13 6/26/2010 11:21:20 AM
Well first of all you need to start remembering how well you hit some shots and block out the thoughts on how you screwed up other shots. As far as finishing a good round you just need to take a few deep breaths after you hit a bad shot. Keep re-assuring yourself you can get it up and down or figure out a way to save par. Don't beat yourself up out there when you still have another shot to play. And enjoy the moment. If I'm trying to set a new low score for myself I enjoy the pressure and the task I want to live up to. You don't get it very often and it's a cool feeling. So just enjoy how good you're playing. YOU SURE YOU ARE ONLY 14 YEARS OLD?????!!!!!!!!
cogolfer1 LowIndex
# 14 6/26/2010 11:23:23 AM
Well first of all you need to start remembering how well you hit some shots and block out the thoughts on how you screwed up other shots. As far as finishing a good round you just need to take a few deep breaths after you hit a bad shot. Keep re-assuring yourself you can get it up and down or figure out a way to save par. Don't beat yourself up out there when you still have another shot to play. And enjoy the moment. If I'm trying to set a new low score for myself I enjoy the pressure and the task I want to live up to. You don't get it very often and it's a cool feeling. So just enjoy how good you're playing. YOU SURE YOU ARE ONLY 14 YEARS OLD?????!!!!!!!! Last time I checked I was.
Mark Simmons Legend
# 15 6/27/2010 12:42:52 AM
I am not thinking that shooing, or even breaking par is going to change my life. I know I have the game to do it and I just need to find a way to get my head out of the way. Michael, I think you've done a great job of identifying the problem, both here and in your original post. You've been given a couple of good books to check out, but let me suggest three specific, concrete things you can do that helped me. Before I do, let me say that not keeping score or having someone else do so isn't what I think you want or need. That's a way to avoid the problem. I'm hearing from you that you want to CONQUER the problem. So with that in mind. 1. Learn to focus on the process, not the outcome. Do you have a rock solid routine for all your shots? If not, get one. Then learn to concentrate and depend on it in ANY pressure situation. Teach yourself that if you follow the process (including maintaining your tempo and other swing dynamics during the shot) that if you've done that you've WON. That's how you are going to measure improvement in this area, not on the outcome of the shot or the score for the round. 2. Practice executing under pressure. There are all kinds of situations you can set up during practice at the range or during a round to practice your ability to handle pressure situations. Games you play in your head (like we did as kids: "Make this putt and you win the U.S. Open"). Take a buddy to the driving range and compete on closest to the hole, and so on. 3. Change your mindset from wishing to believing. I already KNOW you are going to shoot par and better, the only question is when? See, you wrote enough that I see you have the desire, the ability (you've halved your handicap in a short time) and you are following a good process working on the right things. You just need to believe in yourself and the process as much as I do. There is a BIG difference between the question being WHEN vs. WILL I EVER? If it's WHEN, then the next time you've got a good round, you'll have excitement and anticipation: 'Maybe this is the day, but if not it's one step closer' and then go on to focus on the process. Basically, the steps above will help reduce the pressure you are feeling and equip you to deal with the pressure and 'thought demons' that remain. With practice you'll get more used to being in those situations and see more success. [Stop and think about how jacked you would have been at shooting a 78 when your HC was 14-16? Now you are disappointed! It's all about generating a new level of capability and getting used to it.]

Professional Champion

156 Views 22 Replies 1 Like

First off a little about my golf game. For years I was stuck around a 12-14 handicap. My swing is good, could hit if far, but was never consistant. I learned to play golf at about 12, took lessons and got the basics of a sound swing but never really took golf serious until I got in my 20's. I moved to Florida for work in 2003 and started playing more and more over the years. And at about the end of 2008 I decided I was going to put the time in and work to become a scratch golfer.
I know it is going to be hard, but I am detirmined to shoot par for 18. I have plenty of rounds were I will shoot a good 9 and a bad 9, but I never seem to put it together, and when I do have a chance to get closer to par for 18 I seem to blow it down the strech.
I am now a 6.7 index. I practice at least 2-3 times per week. Last year I switched to the "hinge and hold" method of chipping and I am soooo much better at chipping now. I actually hole out chips now and I never used to do that! This has been the major reason my scores have dropped. I give myself a chance at getting up and down way more often.
All the practice time is paying off but my real problem is closing out a round. For instance on Tuesday I got out of work early and headed out to get 18 in. All round long I avoided the big mistakes, missed a few up and downs and after 12 I was 6 over. I was striking the ball good, just missed a few up and downs that I should have converted. Then I put it together going 2 under over the next 4 holes.
So here I am on the tee to 17..... start thinking about what I can shoot if I do this, or that... Wow, I'm +4 thru 16 from the tips(74.2rating/141slope). Well all these thoughts did was completely take me out of game. I hit a fairway bunker on 17, but hit a great shot getting it to 25-30 feet... only to three putt!! 18, is a 555 par 5, and I bust a drive but lay up beacuse there is a massive bunker protecting a blind shot to the green.
Lay up to my perfect distance of 70 yards, although on a downhill lie..... instead of visualizing the shot... I'm thinking... make eagle 75... birdie 76..... ok, i hit the worst shot of the day and shortside myself! didn't even get my first chip on and finish with a bogey!
I walk away with a 78, which I should be happy with but I just can't stop thinking about how I gagged on the last two holes.
I need help. How do I block those thoughts out!? I need to change something in my thought process so I can focus on the shots, just like I did on the holes leading up to the finish. What do you guys think? What do you do?

cogolfer1

LowIndex

# 1 6/17/2010 11:33:47 AM

Well first of all you need to start remembering how well you hit some shots and block out the thoughts on how you screwed up other shots. As far as finishing a good round you just need to take a few deep breaths after you hit a bad shot. Keep re-assuring yourself you can get it up and down or figure out a way to save par. Don't beat yourself up out there when you still have another shot to play. And enjoy the moment. If I'm trying to set a new low score for myself I enjoy the pressure and the task I want to live up to. You don't get it very often and it's a cool feeling. So just enjoy how good you're playing.

HIGH_LANDER

Legend

# 2 6/17/2010 11:38:30 AM

GREAT READ,I AGRRE! the mental part of the game,you should be thinking Process and Not the outcome of the shot.there a book i readed " Wired to Win" by:David Breslow,it has alot of key points to your swing thoughts of the Do's & Not to Do's,check it out.hope the book helps.Also,i notice that you use the hinge method on your chipping.just to let you know,check out the post " Test the Amazing Putter: Calling All Bad Putters" i'm not saying your a bad putter,you are a good putter,i just check your stats,if you have any questions talk to Mike.Last week,i got the Amazing putter,and the dvd,to putt you have to use the Hinge Method,it works very well,Last Saturday,i shot an 76 & 25 putts,i have never had 25 putts,check it out.Hit em long & straight!

michaeldriddlejr

Professional Champion

# 3 6/17/2010 1:04:31 PM

The few missed putts or chips at the end were not a result of have bad fundementals, it's that I am thinking about outcome instead of just executing that shot.

As I think back over the last few months I have a few finishes like that....

I was -2 thru 7 playing nine last month and finished bogey, double! Another round in Feb i tripled #18 to shoot a 80. I focus hard all day then just have these hiccups at the end of the round. Maybe I need to invest in David Breslow's book.

HIGH_LANDER

Legend

# 4 6/17/2010 1:12:33 PM

The few missed putts or chips at the end were not a result of have bad fundementals, it's that I am thinking about outcome instead of just executing that shot.

As I think back over the last few months I have a few finishes like that....

I was -2 thru 7 playing nine last month and finished bogey, double! Another round in Feb i tripled #18 to shoot a 80. I focus hard all day then just have these hiccups at the end of the round. Maybe I need to invest in David Breslow's book.

CHECK IT OUT,at the public library.book on hand.

MikeNomgi

Professional Champion

# 5 6/17/2010 5:39:37 PM

I was -2 thru 7 playing nine last month and finished bogey, double! Another round in Feb i tripled #18 to shoot a 80. I focus hard all day then just have these hiccups at the end of the round. Maybe I need to invest in David Breslow's book.

The lowest my index got was 5.9. I have never shot par, but have shot 73 probably a dozen times. My best chance was a few years ago, when I made the turn at -3 (having just missed a 5-footer to get to -4). So I'm thinking as I'm walking to the 10th tee, "today is the day I break par". Well, no it wasn't. After shooting 33 on the front, I shot 43 on the back, which is maybe a stroke or two harder than the front. I have no idea what happened between the 9th green and the 10th tee. Whatever it was probably took place between my ears. But that's golf. Had I broken par that day, life wouldn't have changed. On the positive side, I do hold the distinction of having pitched a no-hitter in high school. Only thing is, we lost 3 to 1. Three walks, a hit batsman, and a passed ball allowed our opponents 3 runs in the fifth inning. Many folks have pitched no-hitters. Few have pitched one and lost the game, so I've always considered my accomplishment very special. It's probably the equivalent of making an eagle in match play and still losing the hole.

JeremyAZ44

Amateur

# 6 6/17/2010 7:23:15 PM

It's definitely a "between the ears" thing, and it's going to be work.

I just go out, enjoy the day, and my buddies and I always joke, when we're walking up to 18, that here come the shots that make us keep coming back.

I do my best, and let the outcome be what it is.

michaeldriddlejr

Professional Champion

# 7 6/18/2010 9:05:35 AM

But that's golf. Had I broken par that day, life wouldn't have changed. On the positive side, I do hold the distinction of having pitched a no-hitter in high school. Only thing is, we lost 3 to 1. Three walks, a hit batsman, and a passed ball allowed our opponents 3 runs in the fifth inning. Many folks have pitched no-hitters. Few have pitched one and lost the game, so I've always considered my accomplishment very special.

That is a great accomplishment, no matter the outcome it was still a NO Hitter! Sounds like the other pitcher must have played fairly well too.

I am not thinking that shooing, or even breaking par is going to change my life. I know I have the game to do it and I just need to find a way to get my head out of the way.

Robert Premeaux Jr.

Professional Champion

# 8 6/21/2010 11:43:15 PM

CobraMan64 nailed it.

If you're thinking about your score, you're not thinking about golf. And if you're thinking about your future score, you're not even on planet Earth anymore. You're dreaming.

If I could trust somebody to keep my score and stats, I'd let them EVERYTIME. I hate knowing what I am for the day. It's a dark, dreary road that only leads to trouble.

MikeNomgi

Professional Champion

# 9 6/24/2010 3:04:26 PM

Other than that, I've found just writing down the score for the hole and adding them up after 18 helps a lot too. Focus on the shot at hand and then try thinking about something else in between holes.

This may work well for a high handicapper, but if you're a single-digit, you're going to be aware of how you are playing in relation to par without adding your score as you go along.

michaeldriddlejr

Professional Champion

# 10 6/24/2010 3:55:33 PM

Yu know it's been a long time since I have just played and not took score, that sounds like a great idea.

Mike ur right about that. Last weekend I rode shotgun and didn't look at the card once and wouldn't u know
it. I knew within a shot of where I was. I shot 78, two bad swings all day. I was pleased with the round.

Michigan, where u live in the MI? I was just in the Traverse City area over memorial day weekend, and Ann Arbor a few days after! Played some great tracks while I was up there.

michaeldriddlejr

Professional Champion

# 11 6/25/2010 4:20:41 PM

While in TC I played The Crown which was ok. Think it was under $30. Nice bent grass greens so for someone who lives in FL I was happy with those!
We also played The Lelalanu Club in Sutton Bay, NW of TC. I can't spell so check my rounds played and u will see how to spell it. That course was amazing. Lots of huge elevation changes and all around a great track! Next time I'm in that area again I will play there cuz I played like crap. It was more like $45 for that course.
I lived in A2 for years, and if you play out that way the best choices are Stonebridge, Leslie Park(top rated muni in MI) and one of my personal favorites Eagle Crest. EC is EMU home course, it's in Ypsilanti and usually over $60, but use golfnow dot com, I find really good deals on there all over the place!
Lots of nice places done here in FL, if ur ever coming this way hit me up, I'll tell u where the deals are.

LindseyM

Legend

# 12 6/25/2010 5:14:55 PM

don't keep your own score, I keep my husband's scores sometimes and he does better when he doesn't think about. I typically don't keep my score at all, I just go out and enjoy playing. I don't care about numbers.
Play within your handicap:
Try moving up to the next forward tee box instead of always shooting from the tips, take your time to plot out your shots, manage the misses and see how that works; you may shoot under par. Do that for a couple rounds then move back to tips and see the difference.

Pizutes

Professional Champion

# 13 6/26/2010 11:21:20 AM

Well first of all you need to start remembering how well you hit some shots and block out the thoughts on how you screwed up other shots. As far as finishing a good round you just need to take a few deep breaths after you hit a bad shot. Keep re-assuring yourself you can get it up and down or figure out a way to save par. Don't beat yourself up out there when you still have another shot to play. And enjoy the moment. If I'm trying to set a new low score for myself I enjoy the pressure and the task I want to live up to. You don't get it very often and it's a cool feeling. So just enjoy how good you're playing.

YOU SURE YOU ARE ONLY 14 YEARS OLD?????!!!!!!!!

cogolfer1

LowIndex

# 14 6/26/2010 11:23:23 AM

Well first of all you need to start remembering how well you hit some shots and block out the thoughts on how you screwed up other shots. As far as finishing a good round you just need to take a few deep breaths after you hit a bad shot. Keep re-assuring yourself you can get it up and down or figure out a way to save par. Don't beat yourself up out there when you still have another shot to play. And enjoy the moment. If I'm trying to set a new low score for myself I enjoy the pressure and the task I want to live up to. You don't get it very often and it's a cool feeling. So just enjoy how good you're playing.

YOU SURE YOU ARE ONLY 14 YEARS OLD?????!!!!!!!!

Last time I checked I was.

Mark Simmons

Legend

# 15 6/27/2010 12:42:52 AM

I am not thinking that shooing, or even breaking par is going to change my life. I know I have the game to do it and I just need to find a way to get my head out of the way.

Michael, I think you've done a great job of identifying the problem, both here and in your original post. You've been given a couple of good books to check out, but let me suggest three specific, concrete things you can do that helped me.

Before I do, let me say that not keeping score or having someone else do so isn't what I think you want or need. That's a way to avoid the problem. I'm hearing from you that you want to CONQUER the problem. So with that in mind.

1. Learn to focus on the process, not the outcome.

Do you have a rock solid routine for all your shots? If not, get one. Then learn to concentrate and depend on it in ANY pressure situation. Teach yourself that if you follow the process (including maintaining your tempo and other swing dynamics during the shot) that if you've done that you've WON. That's how you are going to measure improvement in this area, not on the outcome of the shot or the score for the round.

2. Practice executing under pressure.

There are all kinds of situations you can set up during practice at the range or during a round to practice your ability to handle pressure situations. Games you play in your head (like we did as kids: "Make this putt and you win the U.S. Open"). Take a buddy to the driving range and compete on closest to the hole, and so on.

3. Change your mindset from wishing to believing.

I already KNOW you are going to shoot par and better, the only question is when? See, you wrote enough that I see you have the desire, the ability (you've halved your handicap in a short time) and you are following a good process working on the right things. You just need to believe in yourself and the process as much as I do. There is a BIG difference between the question being WHEN vs. WILL I EVER?

If it's WHEN, then the next time you've got a good round, you'll have excitement and anticipation: 'Maybe this is the day, but if not it's one step closer' and then go on to focus on the process.

Basically, the steps above will help reduce the pressure you are feeling and equip you to deal with the pressure and 'thought demons' that remain. With practice you'll get more used to being in those situations and see more success.

[Stop and think about how jacked you would have been at shooting a 78 when your HC was 14-16? Now you are disappointed! It's all about generating a new level of capability and getting used to it.]

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