Recommend a book for my psychotic mind

[me05501]

Have you ever noticed that you play better around people who are worse than you and worse around people who are better? I think that's probably pretty common for mid-handicappers. 

 

We don't feel like we belong among the single-digits and have a little too much awe of the better players. But when we're with a group that struggles to break 90, some kind of confidence emerges and we start believing we can score the ball. 

 

The trick is to learn to summon that same inner confidence no matter the situation. We can always choose to believe in ourselves, be target focused, and plan each shot carefully. 

 

A big part of it is learning to ignore what the rest of the group is doing and focus on the shot in front of you. 

[Forrest Sanchez]

Thank you so much for these recommendations! I try to read more fiction than golf. Fiction helps me a lot to understand some moral aspects. At https://papersowl.com/examples/the-great-gatsby/ I recently read some interesting research on the book The Great Gatsby. I wanted to read it again.

Edited March 29, 2022 by Forrest Sanchez

[bladehunter]

On 2/11/2022 at 9:34 AM, me05501 said:

Have you ever noticed that you play better around people who are worse than you and worse around people who are better? I think that's probably pretty common for mid-handicappers. 

 

We don't feel like we belong among the single-digits and have a little too much awe of the better players. But when we're with a group that struggles to break 90, some kind of confidence emerges and we start believing we can score the ball. 

 

The trick is to learn to summon that same inner confidence no matter the situation. We can always choose to believe in ourselves, be target focused, and plan each shot carefully. 

 

A big part of it is learning to ignore what the rest of the group is doing and focus on the shot in front of you. 

Hmm.  Never knew that.  
 

It’s exact opposite for me the other way.  It’s really really hard to play good in a 4 some of guys who are playing bad golf.  It’s not so much the skill level. It’s if they’re 1. Playing bad to their level. Or 2. Just not focused on playing. They’re just beating it around while drinking a beer.    
 

it becomes impossible to focus enough to actually score.  I’ll usually just say “ this is practice “ to myself and not even keep score. Just play aggressive and not really grind over putts etc. there’s no motivation.  But. As I had happen a few weeks ago.  Some of my mini tour buds can come into town from a Florida winter  and illl jump into their games and usually shoot my lowest rounds of the year.  Happened again a couple weeks ago. It’s just easier to play with guys who are serious.  And playing well.   

[Redpro]

Blade, I totally agree. 

 

I'll come home from a round with those slapping it around and music/beers and say to my wife that I wish at least one of them wanted to play golf. I wouldn't play terrible, but it'd be nice to have golfers.

 

Then, I'll play with 2 or 3 guys who are good, or are having a little match. At the 18th green, I'll take my hat off, shake their hands and tell them how much I learned from them. My rounds are so much better! They know the game, the etiquette and the vibe of playing relaxed to score. 

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

Don't think it was mentioned, but I've been reading Dr. Parent's Zen Golf:  Mastering the Mental Game (Zen Putting was mentioned).  Might be helpful with mindset.  Would recommend.

 

Couple tidbits from what I've read so far that stood out to me...

 

-Match your reaction to the good shots with as equally intense of a positive emotion as you feel (negatively) when you hit the bad shots.

-Acknowledge interfering thoughts and move underneath them until they pass, like a surfer diving under a wave.

-Avoid "anyways" shots at all costs - (you have a fleeting moment of doubt, but hit the shot anyways)

-Breathing (how to properly breathe through your nose, throat, and down your spine to release tension) before the shot.

 

Generally, the idea is to get better about noticing the insecurities, doubts, and tensions that prevent you from hitting the shot you want to hit, and then getting them to leave your mind/body before you hit the shot.

[nitram]

"With Winning in Mind" by Lanny Bassham

 

"Winning the War in Your Mind" - Craig Groeschel

Edited March 15, 2022 by nitram

[CasualLie]

I don't think I have ever finished one golf mental book to the end.  They all start out great, you get to the heart of it in a few chapters, and then the second half of the book is at best a repeat or more likely a lot of filler.

 

I would recommend listening to Hal Sutton's / Chase podcast.  Skip to the episodes on actually playing golf - mental, proper practice, course management, etc...

 

There are a couple of themes that emerge which are very important and without them, no mental book will ever help - one, take inventory of your game, and two, practice smartly.

 

I would also add, you need a PSR.  From your original post, your golf swing needs work.  If you have tap ins regularly for bogey, then you need to hit more greens.  But aside from that, if there is something about an upcoming round that has you pumped up, and you are going to the course with certain expectations, your swing cannot hold up to the pressure.

 

Others have mentioned some good books, but again, those books have a chapter or two particular to your situation, the rest fluff.  It comes down to accepting, golf is hard and you cannot have any expectations before the round or before the shot.  Get into your routine, execute the best you can, accept the outcome.  This takes a lot of practice, but you will see results fairly quickly, and it will give you a foundation to build on.  

 

Now that being said, if you like to devour books, the one I almost finished, it is very good, is Golf Flow, Gio Valiante.  Much better than any of the Rotella books.

 

 

[nitram]

Or maybe Chicken Soup for the Soul . . .

[bladehunter]

On 3/15/2022 at 7:52 AM, Redpro said:

Blade, I totally agree. 

 

I'll come home from a round with those slapping it around and music/beers and say to my wife that I wish at least one of them wanted to play golf. I wouldn't play terrible, but it'd be nice to have golfers.

 

Then, I'll play with 2 or 3 guys who are good, or are having a little match. At the 18th green, I'll take my hat off, shake their hands and tell them how much I learned from them. My rounds are so much better! They know the game, the etiquette and the vibe of playing relaxed to score. 

Absolutely…..that’s the right attitude and exactly how I see it. What did I learn today.  I can’t learn a thing with hit and giggle. Except - don’t play hit and giggle. Lol 

[LeftDaddy]

Most of the good books have been mentioned. I’ll throw in Be A Player by Pia Nilson and Lynn Marriott. It’s a little bit psychology and a bit more “shot process”. You’ll need a better pre-shot routine, and probably better decision-making. 
 

All of that said, no amount of “mental game” or pre-shot routine is going to have much of an impact on your handicap. At the end of the day, your swing is going to have to improve to be more repeatable. 

[Medson]

On 3/16/2022 at 6:52 PM, LeftDaddy said:

All of that said, no amount of “mental game” or pre-shot routine is going to have much of an impact on your handicap. At the end of the day, your swing is going to have to improve to be more repeatable. 

Yes and no. I paraphrase the following from the Internet, so take it with a grain of salt. 

 

There is no scientific proof that indicates having a positive attitude will elevate your game. However, there are plenty of scientific proof that show having a negative attitude will hurt your game. 

[LeftDaddy]

7 hours ago, Medson said:

Yes and no. I paraphrase the following from the Internet, so take it with a grain of salt. 

 

There is no scientific proof that indicates having a positive attitude will elevate your game. However, there are plenty of scientific proof that show having a negative attitude will hurt your game. 

I mostly agree with this. Not being an idiot can keep a bad round less bad. But no amount of “positive psychology” will turn a 25 cap with a 25 cap’s swing into a baller. 

[8thehardway]

On 9/3/2021 at 12:29 PM, FredZollner said:

The seminal book by Michael Murphy: Golf in the Kingdom

This book is the literary equivalent of having those enjoyable rounds while putting you in the mood for future ones.

 

In real life, here's something that's works for me when faced with similar opportunities:  be your own sandbagger and deliberately play 'worse' than normal on the opening holes. If your normal drive is 230 yards, hit them shorter, maybe 200 or 210. Same with approach shots. 

If you don't get up and down much when you're around the green, leaving yourself 50 or 100 yards short after two shots shouldn't make much difference in your score... just leave yourself a relaxed 3rd shot in. There may be times when a perfect 3 wood (which rarely happens) leaves you 20 yards short but two decent 7 irons gets you on the green, and in better spirits since you are succeeding at carrying out your plan. After four or five holes you'll be in excellent spirits and able to play your normal game, should you wish.  Since you normally play alone, play like a 'sandbagger' and see how it goes.