Why is it that when your game is falling apart nothing seems to go right? I love that title line from a Kiwi friend who comments when he sees the rails falling off: “ Must be that Steel Plate between your ears.” That’s exactly what happens when I put one in a sand trap or pond and my brain changes to a steel plate before I duff my next shot. It’s only one bad shot and one recovery shot or penalty shot so get over it.
I got in a rut with my drives on my last outing and did not realize that I needed to weaken my trailing hand grip until the start of my second nine. Swinging harder and faster was not the right solution. I know that I am not alone in this category so I thought I should share some of the comments found in a recent GolfWRX email.
“Rory McIlroy had two stellar rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational: The Ulsterman fired a second-round 67 and a final-round 65. Unfortunately, his first and third-round efforts were considerably less stellar: McIlroy carded a pair of sloppy 75s, in which he tallied a stymieing five double bogeys on route to a T27 finish.
Following his final round, the 26-year-old attributed the high scores and spate of big numbers to what’s going on between his ears, rather than any swing-related issues. [Yes, it was that steel plate again.]
‘ These high scores, I know it’s nothing to do with my game, really. It’s nothing to do with me technically. It’s more mental. I’m beating myself up over mistakes that I’m making on the course and then I’m not letting myself get over it so that it sort of lingers there for the next few holes.
This week what I’ve done is I’ve let it linger. I’ve mentally not been able to get over it and I haven’t bounced back. That’s why there was two 75s in there because it was nothing technically or anything else. I feel like my game is in great shape. Really good with my putting. Good with all aspects of my game, really, so mentally being better and not being so hard on myself. ‘
Staggering admissions from a multiple major winner and the former No. 1 golfer in the world. However, with this from Rory, plus Jason Day’s talk of reaching out to Tiger Woods for help with his mental game and clinging to an on-course attitude of “patience” and “aggression” this week at Woods’ behest, we’re delivered a poignant reminder: Even the world’s best golfers can struggle with the basics of the mental game in the crucible of tournament conditions.
We aren’t sports psychologists here at GolfWRX, but the importance of focusing on the shot at hand and not dwelling on previous strokes is critical to playing golf well, as all average golfers and casual sports fans would likely agree.”
I couldn’t resist sharing this summary from GolfWRX. It was a wonderful interview and we all need to recall it when our game starts to go south. So keep practicing with GOLFSTR+ for every swing in your game and stay focused on your next shot. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com