Mental collapse

I've been honing the mechanics of my swing over the last few months to the point where I'm now hitting consistently good shots. It's at this point that I've now begun to appreciate the mental aspects of the game.

This afternoon my game collapsed around my ears. I've been playing a lot of golf recently and played 36 holes this weekend. I was tired and it was hot this afternoon and the back nine was a disaster, I just couldn't hit the ball. Basically my concentration was shot to pieces.

Unfortunately I have a big 36-hole tournament next weekend and I'm seriously considering pulling out and taking a rest to recharge those depleted batteries.

Any thoughts or ideas?

I know the feeling,

In your case it seems quite simple not only physically tied you were mentally tied too.

The physical side is up to you, exercise etc to increase your staying power, many times I play with good players who seem to fall apart after 15/16 holes and it down to fitness levels.

As for the mental aspect, you can't keep up concentration for 18 holes never mind 36, you need to relax between shots and take your time surveying your surroundings and just slip into the "zone" for a minute when you play your shot, it's very important to take on lots of water, dehydration is the biggest killer of concentration, eat some fruit after each 9 holes.

The rubbish back 9 you had is in the past now and probably due to lack of the above and nothing to do with your ability, go and play next week enjoy it and win.


Good Luck


Ian.

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Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

I played organized baseball for many years in Puerto Rico. And I know that feeling of having to play and perform despite sore muscles, headaches, depression, etc. When "playball" was called it was time to take care of business. I played some of my better games this way. I hear many pro-golfers say the same thing. When they are in a tournament they have the "take care of business" attitude. Your skills are there despite your physical situation and your mind is trained to perform at peak levels. You don't have less skills or are less mentally capable because your body is tired. Breath, smile, and repeat I've done this before and done it right. And then when you are up to the ball "click" you don't think anymore and your smart skillful mind takes over. TRUST your natural abilities.

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FraTor

Thanks guys, I wrote the initial post feeling very depressed about my game. I've been improving dramatically over the last few months and this is the first real slump I've experienced - and boy what a slump it was! I hadn't lost a ball for weeks and all of a sudden lose 3 in 9 holes. I was so disgusted with each shot I could barely bring myself to search for the flipping things.

In hindsight I know it's not my swing and I keep myself fit, but I definintely need to work on my concentration. I feel I work so hard in 18 holes as currently I don't have that ability to switch off between shots and then return to focus on the next one.

Any hints on how to do this? I seem to remember Graham suggesting a XXX porn mag but I don't think I'll be following that advice!

I completely agree with Ian about this coming down to proper hydration and nourishment. Lots of fruits and water. If it is hot, you should take in at least 1 liter of water for every nine holes, along with a banana and a citrus fruit. This will recharge your muscles and your brain. I can't remember how many carbs it takes your brani to function at peak level, but it's a LOT. Make sure you have a meal of carbs and protiens an hour before you go out and the water and fruit will sustain your energy level.

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Gord

Quote of the month:
"It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification." ~Bruce McCall

Played the first 18 of the tournament today, the front nine was ok but the back nine was much better. I'm hitting the ball well again and feeling much more in control. I shot a net -1, which is still a good way off my best, but the main thing is that I enjoyed the round.

I took on board your tips; drank plenty of water, had a banana at half-time and made a concerted effort to switch off between strokes and simply enjoy the surroundings. It certainly worked as I still felt fresh coming up 18 and finished with an easy par on a very tough finishing hole.

Thanks guys!

Hi PH,
Just a thought. Some golfers' play deteriorates towards the end of a round. This may be because they are starting to slump over the ball and not stand as erect as they did at the start of the round. This would affect their swing.
Check this when you play this weekend.
Stand tall and win the tournament.