In search of "golf utopia"

I have posted so often about the ongoing problems with my game such as total excitment with a perfect swing, to a total break down. Achieving a dream round only to follow with nightmare round. All along I have been craving an answer to the extreme changes and how it comes about. Well, on the advice of a trusted member i reluctantly sought the view of a new coach. Having explained my problem to him he simply said: "if you want to succeed at this game you have to enjoy it. Asking him to elaborate further his answer to me was that i was too nervous about my end result, which in turn was creating tension through my body. Even though I have perfect fundamentals, unless I can accept to swing the club through the ball with a "relaxed enjoment I have no chance of returning to where I once was. Only when focusing on my body tension did I come to realise that I was far from relaxed. When I told myself to relax and just hit it from takeaway to finish the result was ther to see. he also told me that we must not look on nerves as the enemy, but an indication that we must turn off our negative thoughts and enjoy the next four hours on the course. Try and remember that this is just a path from a to b i.e. tee box to hole . The hard part is trusting in ourselves to do it, believing in ability, and accepting the consequences good or bad. I hope this thread will help anybody who suffers this problem like me. As and from today, I am going to try and "enjoy" this game and believe that the above statement is the key to what we all strive for.

Regards,
Robert

Robert.I totally agree.

We cannot truely enjoy this game if we are for ever obsessed by scores..

The next time we play , we should all leave our pens and score cards in the car and just go and have some fun...and then we will see how well we can really play...

...

That is a great teacher there. Sure you have to do certain things right in the golf swing to be successful but 90% of golf is played between the ears.

great post robert!
have endured very much the same recently and adopting a more laid back approach has done the trick for me

Robert: im gonna try and remember your post as i start my round on Saturday,during my round on Saturday, and towards the end of my round on Saturday.Thats just what i needed to read on here tonite. Your pro is right..you wont be able to improve until you relax and enjoy it and take what it gives you.I put way too much pressure on myself out there..and it does not help with what i am trying to achieve.David

What's NOT fun?

Playing with someone who is so self-concious about their game. Swearing every time he tops the ball. Complaining about the quality of the greens.

Its a GAME for Lord's sake! Lighten up!

When you go skiing do you say damn I didn't turn perfectly up there. Or if you sail do you write down the lousy way you tacked at the end of the windward leg of the race? No! You say that was fun!

Why there's such a focus on scoring and distance and handicaps and equipment. I love to watch Bob Jones play his wonderful golf shots with that old niblick with a hickory shaft and old-fashioned ball. Wow.

Pass the "swing-oil"!

Guys,
I am so pleased that I have agreement from you on this issue. Last night at the range, my only thoughts were on freedom of swing and relaxation. yes, it works!!! Tomorrow I am playing in a singles, and ill be damned if I dont use this therapy. as my teacher saaid to me: even the pro's are human and need psychologists. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards,
Robert

Nice thread,
I've mentioned the following idea in other posts and thought this might help you to relax more. You can be confident and more relaxed by playing the shot you know you can make, instead of attempting the shot you think you should make. Hope this helps, Mike. (BTW - not my idea by Rotellis idea from "golf is not a perfect game).

Robert,

You're sounding alot happier within your game. Good to hear.

I agree totally with the concept of relaxing and enjoying. It's a matter of having the strength mentally to apply yourself to this concept. Now that's the test.

I'd be interested to see when this is done effectively how mentally knackered one is when walking off the 18th green.

Now relax and enjoy - this can be applied in all walks of life.

Nicole

Great thread,

Along the line I enjoy most, playing with the mind.


A game lasts around 4.5 hours if you are a 28 h/capp taking 100 shots @ 20 seconds per shot including pre shot routine.....................thats 33 minutes. You have 4 hours to kill during a round, we have a great chat even on comp days.

Concentration is like a litre bottle of water, if you drink it on the first three holes it's gone, take a sip every hole.


Hope this make sense.


Ian.