I need a little help between the ears

Hi all,

This is my first post. Right now I am playing at about a 16-18 handicap, but I know I can be a 7 or an 8, but my biggest probelm is in my head at this point. My probelm is that when I play with someone, even my father, I seem to lose all my mechanics that I had worked hard at all week and paly poorly. For example, every year my dad and I play with another father/son for the fouth of july. it is always sons vs dads and every year i shot at least a 98, and two years ago i shot in the 110's. I can't figure out why I do this every year. I always thought it was just that round every year but we played last weekend and I did it again.

What I need advice for is that I have two problems, one i do what I said above whenever I play with someone else and also when I hit a bad shot I have problems getting past it for the next shot. It just sucks kowing I can shot low,but never being able to do it. Can anyone help?

I used to have the same problem and now it is getting better. I just look for the positive out of every situation. When i hit a bad shot into trouble, i like proving to myself that i can make a shot out of that position. I just use self motivation and hard work to help out. I now get in less of those situations due to the work i have put in to my swing.

Yes whenever I play with my dad or my friends I don't seem to play to my potential which really upsets me because I have played very well before, but when its show time I don't. Like I sad before, my mental game is the only thing holding me back right now but i just am trying to figure out how to get past that hurdle to start shooting low scores.

well just an update....on the "big match". I did it again...sorta. I blew up on the front shooting a 54 and then on the back i shot a 44. I parred 16 after losing a tee shot in the woods. and the 17 also. At that point though i just din't care anymore. I think i finally realized that maybe i am not as good as maybe i thought i was. which is a horrible feeling to have. so now i don't really know where to go from here. i just need to be able to take my swing from the range to the course and until i do that, i won't ever be as good as i think i am

Don't give up yet. I had exactly the same problem. My problem was without even knowing I was putting more pressure on myself to play better around good ol dad. This kept me from staying focused entirely on the present.My State appointed therapist said to speek to myself and explain what exactly I wanted to do with each shot as I scoped it out.(As if I was hosting "Playing Lessons from the Pro's") This has worked wonders for my game.I'm talking ten strokes off my handicap since 80 to 90 percent of my rounds are with good ole dad

Then again maybe I'm just crazy.

This is a common problem that plagues many golfers. FIRST, STOP trying to impress others. This creates unneeded pressure on yourself, this pressure creates tension. The people you are playing with are focused on THEIR GAMES, NOT YOURS. They could care less what you shoot ONLY YOU DO. It is as simple as that.

As for your second problem. After you hit a bad shot, what can you do about it? Do you have a time machine to go back in time? If not, then you cannot do anything about it. Complaining gives you something to do, but it does not get you anywhere. It creates negativity, and creates tension. Both are detrimental to your game. Golf is ONE SHOT AT A TIME. The most important shot is the NEXT SHOT.

Analogy.

After turning a door knob to the left to open a door, you decide to start turning it to the right.

When a fire breaks out in your home which way do you turn it? left.

Under pressure something always breaks down.

__________________
Jordy Scerbo
Golf Instructor

well i took everyone's advice and i went out yesterday and shot good with one of my buddies who is still learning. but today was even better. I finally beat one of my other buddy who i always lose to. It has been a great day.thanks everyone