I could start this off with some tired cliché about women being more emotional than men. But we all know what happens on the golf course the playing field is leveled and men find themselves burdened with the same emotional reactions as women.
Golfers are prone to three basic emotional responses, and | | if you let them get out of hand, they can have a big impact on your final score. Its no secret that the game of golf is mental, and your emotions have a direct impact on your mental state.
Anyone who has ever gone to the course with a heavy heart knows that if you go in thinking itll be a rotten round, it probably will be. Even overly excited players can cause their ball to hook or slice because their body is amped up with adrenaline.
Dont Add Anger to Your Scorecard
Anger is perhaps the most frustrating thing to experience when youre playing a round of golf. You went out to get some exercise, enjoy nature, and hone your skills and you wind up having to go home and de-stress in a bubble bath with candles.
Golf can be frustrating because we always want to hit the perfect shot. Even one slight mishap can irritate us to the point where it affects each subsequent shot. You have to see the game as a whole, and not shoulder the burden of every single shot you make.
Even professionals in the men and womens pro tournaments have days when nothing seems to go right. But you dont see them throwing their clubs in the pond or hear them cursing loudly at the ball as it flies off into OB territory.
Because golf is such a mental sport, its vital that you keep your emotional frustration minimized so that you can perform up to your abilities on every hole. Some people play as if they cant see anything but the immediate situation.
You might have the absolute worst (and most embarrassing) tee shot of the day. But you can still come in under par if the rest of your game isnt affected by the negativity many golfers carry from one hole to the next.
Take each shot for what its worth. And really play up the rest of the times you do something right. You have to think positively and breathe through the moments when you feel angry at ever choosing to pick up a club in the first place.
Whatever you do, learn to control your anger on the course to a minimal amount. If it seeps through a bit in your mind, thats one thing, but its bad sportsmanship to let it overflow into everyone elses game.
Even Excitement Can Interrupt Your Game
Not all emotions are negative. Unfortunately, you might hit an amazing tee shot off the first hole and your enthusiasm boils over so much that you hack every other shot until youre miserable and feel like quitting.
Its easy to get excited on the course. You feel proud when you hit the sweet spot and even more so when other people cheer you on and are impressed with your efforts. Its okay to smile and revel in the mo |
| | boils over so much that you hack every other shot until youre miserable and feel like quitting.
Its easy to get excited on the course. You feel proud when you hit the sweet spot and even more so when other people cheer you on and are impressed with your efforts. Its okay to smile and revel in the moment a bit.
Just dont get so excited that youre overly confident in your abilities and forget to line up right, keep your head down, or stay bent in the knees. Sometimes the thrill of a good shot will cause you to have a faster backswing, which will throw your timing off.
As you do with your angry emotions, after they rise to the surface, give it a moments pause and then tuck it away to revisit on your ride home from the course. Start every swing over from scratch.
Envy Is the Root of All Double Bogies
Golfers can be as green as the Bermuda theyre standing on. Its no secret that each and every one of us wants to be the best player in the foursome. But golf itself is like a scramble sometimes your shot is the best and other times the title goes to someone else.
In golf, youre not only playing against yourself, to lower your handicap, but youre also playing against others in many cases. You still have to realize that at the end of the day, the scores of the others in your group wont be handed in to contribute toward your handicap.
All you can do is the bets that youre capable of, and instead of becoming envious over another persons talent, let that inspire you to make an extra trip to the driving range for some more practice.
But in the middle of a game, if you let envy weigh you down, youll wind up trying too hard to compensate for what you lack in comparison to the other players. This can take you from two over par total to 2 over par for each hole if youre not careful.
Copyright 2006 Lady O' Golf
About The Author
Janet Strain
Recently Janet opened an off course golf apparel store focused on the needs of women golfers everywhere.
Visit http://ladyogolf.com for fashionable golf apparel, news, and informative articles.
This article was posted on September 25, 2006 |
Other Articles..
1. What Color Is A Horse? 2. The Pleasure Of Transforming Your Hobby Into Your Profession 3. Improve Your Golf Swing By Improving Your Tempo 4. Golf Instruction - The Right Way to Get your Game Going 5. Kitesurfing Techniques - Launching & Landing
|
