Rabbit ears & twitch eyes....

[Yuck]

I have always had a big problem when there is a sudden change in sound or a motion in my peripheral vision. It is really only an serious issue in my transition, whether swinging or putting. My attention immediately goes to the distraction. Huge weakness for me in match play when my “buddies” all know I have the attention span of a flea. Has anyone overcome this later in their golf career? I would say my ability to cope with this is well below average. Right now my only defense is giving the perpetrators the evil eye after the fact.

[SNIPERBBB]

My solution is to start officiating basketball games. You'll cure that quickly or go postal.

[Socrates]

People who sneak in behind me to watch my swing/ball during my swing drive me nuts. Had a guy do it last week. Saw him just as I was taking the club back and almost hit it into the houses on an 80 yard wide hole. Could've punched him in the head. Said nothing and moved on for my bogey. Okay, I grumbled in the cart for 200 yards.

Speaking of twitchy eyes, if I'm not consciously aware of my shadow (sun behind me) I sometimes get distracted by the sudden appearance of my shadow at the top of my swing. It's never bothered me before and yet, lately it's been an issue. Gotta start chewing that gum that Tiger and Phil have. Either that or check with a psychiatrist about whether I'm losing my marbles.

I've had a run of bad timing this year. If it's remotely possible for someone to slam a door, start a piece of maintenance equipment or drive past me during my swing - it will happen. Even my golf partner is starting to laugh about it. It's like I've angered the Golf Gods.

Next thing that is sure to happen next is that recurring dream where you can't get off the tee because of some bizzare stance issue.

 

 

[Warrior42111]

To be honest it sounds like an anxiety disorder. You could try breathing techniques to focus.

Also, if you know how to put yourself in the 'zone' that could be an option too. I use to do it, but I become an A$$ in that mindset and I only play for fun.

[Socrates]

Back to the OP's problem... I found that being aware of where your partners are is helpful. Then they are less likely to annoy you. If I know that "Joe" is going to move on you, wait until he does it and then back off and reset.

In a talkative group, it sometimes helps to be the talker. I've hit many shots babbling on about whatever because I know they aren't going to shut up either. It just becomes white noise then.

[scooterhd2]

i actually prefer noise and distractions. i will often tee it up first as people are jabbering in the carts. anything to keep my brain from over thinking the swing. go up there and let it fly.

[Zitlow]

Work on acquiring a simple preshot routine. A two or 3 step routine to set up to the ball and then go. The key is not spending a lot of time waggling, looking at the target several times, moving your feet around ,etc etc. A set and go routine will allow you to free your mind and become more reactive.

[nitram]

I'm not a trained Psychologist but have been thru the same type of thing. And the post above that mentions anxiety is correct. I'll also add that you are anticipating failure as opposed to success. The only way I overcame it was proving to myself that I could hit the shot or make the putt. It's about self-confidence and not giving a sh!t about what others think of you or your game. It's not an overnight thing. The first step is to accept your misses as it's the best you can do and be at peace with it because you're not gonna bat 1000.

[Zitlow]

Confidence is knowing you're going to hit a good shot before you hit it.

[nitram]

Agreed.

And if you happen to hit a stinker, so what?? Confident people hit bad shots too. Nicklaus never missed a 3 footer...

Separation from results and self deprecation are the hardest part of golf and I daresay most other things.

 

[hoselpalooza]

Confidence is knowing you're going to hit a good shot before you hit it.completely agree with both of these.

i recently went out for only the 3rd time this year (first time as a single) and got waved through a bunch of times; was invited to tee off 5 times in front of strangers. it was probably in the low-40's and had just dumped rain the previous day, and i was playing from the forward tees with a 5-iron as the longest club in my bag. this meant i had to hit the ball well to prevent delay. it's easily the most pressure i've faced since getting back into golf this past year and as a result i was more aware of the chatting/whispering and movement around me than normal. however, a simple pre-shot routine and telling myself "this is going to be the best shot of the day" each time helped commit to my shots with a bit of confidence. also breathing -- taking big, deep, relaxing breaths did wonders.

anyway, as a quick example, i caught up to a foursome on the 1 handicap hole while they were searching for balls. they waved me up and i pured a 5-iron to split the fairway over a forced carry for arguably my best drive of the day. felt absolutely amazing. (you can probably tell where this is going...)

after finishing the hole with them they invited me to tee off in front of them on a long par 5 with the widest fairway on the course. should've been a cake walk compared to the previous tee shot but ended up perhaps my worst drive of the day. i lost focus for a moment and flared it short and right on the furthest part of the fairway from the cart path on a 'cart path only day'. ran a hard 40 from cart to ball like i was at a combine, did my short pre-shot routine, poked the ball down the fairway, then ran a hard 40 back to the cart so i could get out of the way.

could've been a lot more embarrassing but a good lesson nonetheless. next time i lose focus over the ball i should really step off and reset. a few extra seconds could've saved me from an 80-yard sprint.

[jimb6golf]

I'm exactly the same way unfortunately. Get really distracted especially with any noises occurring near me while swinging. It's really annoying at times but my playing partners always enjoy my reactions at least.

[chippa13]

When you need to relax inside your own head, "There is no spoon."

[hoselpalooza]

temet nosce ;)

p.s. love this thought. gonna have to try it next time out.