VP's

Well getting the confidence back and this month playing club pennant and club championships.

I'm getting this close to breaking 80 but doh, a couple of doubles kill me. I'm trying hard not to think of the score but crikey. I've had 80 a few times of late so something big is coming.

In March 07 I changed coaches. A positive and productive move. I was getting stale with the old coach. He's a good bloke and all, but, for the last two years we were working on the same thing.

As some would say, "watch this space".

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VP

Oh, just to add. I can't break my handicap at present. I've been having great scores but our handicapping system is stuffed. The CCR is too low. So one needs to play an extraordinary round to break. Bloody old women and their ball's run in the Summer LOL - not!!!

hi nickers
good to see your game is coming back

Interesting, had a 84 off the beater last week in the first round of the champs. Started and ended with a double - so not too bad.

I was quite nervous on the first tee. The night before any round I visualise my tee shot on every hole. I couldn't do it that night. I was so much thinking of the water to the right.

So I made the decision, I would drive the ball to the bunker located on the left about 90 metres short of the green. It was a good hit, the ball went and laid about a metre or 2 to the left of it.

Now, just after I finished typing here I'm off to the club. I'm gonna hit 20 balls with the 7 iron working on my lag, putt a few balls and before I get into the car to pick the tiddly wink up from day care, hit five balls from the first tee with the driver.

I'm hoping this will help for my visualisation tonight.

Cheers.

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VP

Go at the pot EVERY week...

Seems to be a plan, especially if your best shot sees you short ALL the time...

Cheers

Well I hit 4 of the 5 drives well last night. Just long or in the pot.

Anyway I was still nervous and had a terrible round today. Most the field did too. Quite hard conditions and I had left my swing at home.

Can't be too bad though as I finished no. 1. So the quarters are this Friday.

An interesting point about the butterflies in my tummy - a mate of mine (a very good golfer) said that this was good, ie, I was ready and alert. An interesting and soothing sort of a way at looking at it.

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VP

I've been involved in a lot of drama/acting projects, and I once worked with a director who said, "Nerves are fuel for acting." His attitude was it wasmore about how you used them/controlled them, but, as you're saying, a few butterflies have the effect of sharpening everything, including focus, up.

Hi Nicole,

IMHO nervousness does not help your game, positive thoughts and getting things in perspective does.

I read this book recently and would strongly recommend it for creating a good mental attitude to the way you practice and play.

: The Mind Factor by Darren Clark.

Well guys I won last friday in the Quarter's but lost today in the Semi's - on the 18th.

It was a good match. I will take plenty out of it.

Brian, haven't got onto that book yet. I will though. It's interesting - I was quite confident going into today's match. One has to be, if not, there is not point in playing.

Yet there was one thing I couldn't do, ie, stop thinking about golf leading up to the matches. I'm glad it is all over for the year.

Starting to like the game again.

I'm glad the champs and pennant are over. Oh by the way, we won the Division 1 pennant convincingly 5 - 0. My match 6 n 4.

Now I can start working on my game and practice what I have been told to do - lag and initiating the down swing with a little bump forward with the right hip.

Spending time on the mental side too. I'm trying to keep the mind quiet/clear when playing competition rounds. Working on the 'Clear Keys' at the moment. Going quite good. There is no possibility to think of mechanics when using a clear key.

I've also altered my pre shot routine. When I've addressed the ball I do not glance at the target. This reduces any tension/anxiety. The target is not going to move, so why look at it.

Be good

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VP