Things you've picked up that change when you get on the course

[Eag1e]

I'm just wondering if anyone has some random tips for stuff to watch out for.

 

I noticed that when I get over putts on the course I tend to align my body with the hole even if I'm aiming way off of it. This leads to inevitable 2-putts where one putts should be a near-sure thing. I also have noticed that I quickly get out of my driving range mentality, which is align and swing, and instead get into a whole preshot routine with a bunch of stuff that ruins my shotmaking ability. I've also noticed when I get under pressure I forget my vision points when setting up; i.e. with irons I look at the very front of the ball to promote proper compression, whereas off the tee I look about 35% from the front to the middle which I find promotes a really high, straight ball flight. When I get under pressure I tend to either forget to make use of my optical directing and it results in all kinds of crazy stuff.

 

Anyone else have some tips for stuff to watch out about changing under pressure? I really feel like this is where I need to improve now as on the practice areas my game is about 10x better than it is on the course. With hs season three weeks away I want to have ample time to get used to stuff.

[generaljhc]

Sounds like to me you are thinking to much over the ball. You plan and think a few feet behind the ball. Once you address the ball its swing time, not think time. You should be totally committed to the shot. Sounds like it might be good to develop a solid pre-shot routine that allows you to plan, align and make a good swing consistently.

Foucs behind the ball, follow your routine, hit the ball, relax, start over when you get to the shot. Forget about vision points, ball compression, 35% of the ball, optical direction while playing. Just find the target, relax and play.

[Eag1e]

[quote name='generaljhc' date='16 July 2010 - 06:07 AM' timestamp='1279282053' post='2579601']
Sounds like to me you are thinking to much over the ball. You plan and think a few feet behind the ball. Once you address the ball its swing time, not think time. You should be totally committed to the shot. Sounds like it might be good to develop a solid pre-shot routine that allows you to plan, align and make a good swing consistently.

Foucs behind the ball, follow your routine, hit the ball, relax, start over when you get to the shot. Forget about vision points, ball compression, 35% of the ball, optical direction while playing. Just find the target, relax and play.
[/quote]

I don't actually think about anything while I'm swinging. But finding the vision point is part of my pre-shot routine, and an important one. I think what it does is help me get rid of outside distractions and completely commit to the shot I'm about to hit, because I do it right before my swing. I find if I don't do it then I'm not really looking at anything, which by itself messes up my shots a lot, but also it makes me much more easily distracted, even something like a bird can wreck my distraction if I don't do something to focus myself in. This gets really important in tournament play as I can often hear other people hitting shots on adjacent holes if I'm not focused in.

But definitely once I'm swinging I have no thoughts in my head at all.

[pinhigh27]

I can't stop thinking when I putt, just random things race in my mind when I putt. I'm going to just go putt for 3 hours and not even care about the results, just try to have a completely blank mind.

[generaljhc]

Eagle your right about the vision point...I assume you mean target. It just sounds like he has a lot going on in his mind. Of course if you just focus on the target that helps tune at distractions. The important thing, IMO, is limit thoughts over the ball. A good pre-shot routine should bring you to the ball relaxed, and focused on the target.

Something good to do while putting is to visualize the putt. see the ball leave the putter, the path it take to the hole, speed, and the ball faling in. You can do this while your over the ball to help you focus. It helps me.

[Deerslayer]

[b]**Don't keep your score during a practice round**[/b]

Seen it too many times backfire on players. Use the round to get a feel for how you want to play holes and pins. Get a feel for the course, but don't play a "simulated" round.

[Jer-Jer]

You shouldn't be looking at any specific point on the ball. You should be looking at your ball, but they say you should "blur" your vision so you don't focus any particular point. Zach Johnson said this in Golf Digest one time. You shouldn't focus on the letters, the front, the back, the side, or whatever. It should just be on the ball. To be honest you shouldn't even be thinking that much about it...

[Eag1e]

[quote name='Jer-Jer' date='16 July 2010 - 09:16 PM' timestamp='1279336605' post='2581148']
You shouldn't be looking at any specific point on the ball. You should be looking at your ball, but they say you should "blur" your vision so you don't focus any particular point. Zach Johnson said this in Golf Digest one time. You shouldn't focus on the letters, the front, the back, the side, or whatever. It should just be on the ball. To be honest you shouldn't even be thinking that much about it...
[/quote]

This seems like it'd be so hard to do. I mean... a ball is such a huge thing when you're standing over it. It seems like that's like trying to say just look at a building. You're bound to be looking at one area of it even if you're not trying to. It just makes sense that with a golf ball you look where you get the best results.

But, then again, I've never tried blurring my vision on a whole ball, so I'm not sure. I'll try it later today, though.

[Jer-Jer]

[quote name='Eag1e' date='17 July 2010 - 09:40 AM' timestamp='1279377649' post='2581619']
[quote name='Jer-Jer' date='16 July 2010 - 09:16 PM' timestamp='1279336605' post='2581148']
You shouldn't be looking at any specific point on the ball. You should be looking at your ball, but they say you should "blur" your vision so you don't focus any particular point. Zach Johnson said this in Golf Digest one time. You shouldn't focus on the letters, the front, the back, the side, or whatever. It should just be on the ball. To be honest you shouldn't even be thinking that much about it...
[/quote]

This seems like it'd be so hard to do. I mean... a ball is such a huge thing when you're standing over it. It seems like that's like trying to say just look at a building. You're bound to be looking at one area of it even if you're not trying to. It just makes sense that with a golf ball you look where you get the best results.

But, then again, I've never tried blurring my vision on a whole ball, so I'm not sure. I'll try it later today, though.
[/quote]

I would've agreed with you a year a or two ago. It's really about focusing on the ball but not thinking about it. It sounds like you have a lot of thoughts in your head (and I used to be the same). You should give a few waggles, look at the ball, then pull the trigger. It should be something natural sorta. Just try not to think as much...helped me lol.

[mkotthoff]

[quote name='Eag1e' date='17 July 2010 - 09:40 AM' timestamp='1279377649' post='2581619']
[quote name='Jer-Jer' date='16 July 2010 - 09:16 PM' timestamp='1279336605' post='2581148']
You shouldn't be looking at any specific point on the ball. You should be looking at your ball, but they say you should "blur" your vision so you don't focus any particular point. Zach Johnson said this in Golf Digest one time. You shouldn't focus on the letters, the front, the back, the side, or whatever. It should just be on the ball. To be honest you shouldn't even be thinking that much about it...
[/quote]

This seems like it'd be so hard to do. I mean... a ball is such a huge thing when you're standing over it. It seems like that's like trying to say just look at a building. You're bound to be looking at one area of it even if you're not trying to. It just makes sense that with a golf ball you look where you get the best results.

But, then again, I've never tried blurring my vision on a whole ball, so I'm not sure. I'll try it later today, though.
[/quote]

I agree with Jer-Jer, you can't pick a dimple or whatever. Instead you should be visualizing your target. You see the ball, but you are focused on seeing the target.

[brandtsnedeker]

Not keeping score during a practice round is good advice. I know a kid who shot a 59 in his practice round and a 76 in the actual tournament.

[Bryant]

at the range i have a very nice 2 plane swing but under pressure i resort back to my 1 plane swing.