Strategies on getting off to a strong & steady start?

[hangontight]

My son has a tendency to drop a shot or two in the opening holes (1-3).   It seems more of a psychological thing...like he somehow expects or accepts he will drop a few out of the gate and then he switches to catch up mode.   I don't think it is nerves with him, but maybe just rushing too much as he settles in. 

 

- What about suggesting that he make a conscious effort to SLOW DOWN on holes 1-3 ...not pace of play, but on shot selection, scoring areas, etc. ?

-  Seek a steady "safe par" start (1-3), or be aggressive since you have lots of time to make it up? 

 

 

[darter79]

55 minutes ago, hangontight said:

My son has a tendency to drop a shot or two in the opening holes (1-3).   It seems more of a psychological thing...like he somehow expects or accepts he will drop a few out of the gate and then he switches to catch up mode.   I don't think it is nerves with him, but maybe just rushing too much as he settles in. 

 

- What about suggesting that he make a conscious effort to SLOW DOWN on holes 1-3 ...not pace of play, but on shot selection, scoring areas, etc. ?

-  Seek a steady "safe par" start (1-3), or be aggressive since you have lots of time to make it up? 

 

 

He making bad choices bad lines? or just bad swings. Playing too aggressive? Those can be addressed mostly if that is the case. Middle of fairway middle of green 2 putt get off to a better start. I know you say it seems psychological but try to have him take a very boring lines and see if that helps. Any miss that he is making in those first couple of holes? 

[hangontight]

@darter79 Seems like a lack of focus to me... his mind is running too fast, which is why maybe deliberately slowing down for the first few holes to set a good rhythm could help.  Its almost always a mental mistake, not a bad swing.    Which is why I think deliberately slowing down may help.   On the other side of that Safe Par/Boring Golf usually is a slippery slope with him - often leads to uncommitted half swings.   He hasn't quite grasped the concept of aggressive swing to a conservative target .    Sometimes I will "play" the first three holes on the range in pre-round warmup.  He hasnt done it though, anyone have success with that?

Edited March 17, 2022 by hangontight

[tiger1873]

3 hours ago, hangontight said:

My son has a tendency to drop a shot or two in the opening holes (1-3).   It seems more of a psychological thing...like he somehow expects or accepts he will drop a few out of the gate and then he switches to catch up mode.   I don't think it is nerves with him, but maybe just rushing too much as he settles in. 

 

- What about suggesting that he make a conscious effort to SLOW DOWN on holes 1-3 ...not pace of play, but on shot selection, scoring areas, etc. ?

-  Seek a steady "safe par" start (1-3), or be aggressive since you have lots of time to make it up? 

 

 

 

I haven't seen your kid play but I can  only think if 2 reasons a kid gets a bad start.

 

You may want to look at how he warms up before a tournament.   Are you getting there too early or too late for him to settle in.  Perhaps he needs to spend more time putting or chipping before a round.  Maybe he just needs to get into the zone.

 

If I had to guess he is getting excited or nerves on the first few tee's.  You just need to play more tournaments to get them over it.   Don't make a big deal out of it and just keep them playing eventually they don't care.

[heavy_hitter]

Here is a suggestion.  Have him carry a scorecard holder and put notes in it.  It may just be one note a round.  After he selects his club have him pull out the holder and read the note.  Then go through his routine.  It can be any thing "Go through Routine", "Keep your Game Plan", "One swing at a time".  Kid's mental coach gives him something every single round.  I have no idea what it is because I stay out of it.  Seems to work and keeps his brain focused on the task.  Doesn't always mean he plays great golf.  Sometimes they just hit bad shots.

Edited March 18, 2022 by heavy_hitter

[Movingday]

8 minutes ago, heavy_hitter said:

Here is  suggestion.  Have him carry a scorecard holder and put notes in it.  It may just be one note a round.  After he selects his club have him pull out the holder and read the note.  Then go through his routine.  It can be any thing "Go through Routine", "Keep your Game Plan", "One swing at a time".  Kid's mental coach gives him something every single round.  I have no idea what it is because I stay out of it.  Seems to work and keeps his brain focused on the task.  Doesn't always mean he plays great golf.  Sometimes they just hit bad shots.

I like this a lot

[hangontight]

12 minutes ago, heavy_hitter said:

Here is  suggestion.  Have him carry a scorecard holder and put notes in it.  It may just be one note a round.  After he selects his club have him pull out the holder and read the note.  Then go through his routine.  It can be any thing "Go through Routine", "Keep your Game Plan", "One swing at a time".  Kid's mental coach gives him something every single round.  I have no idea what it is because I stay out of it.  Seems to work and keeps his brain focused on the task.  Doesn't always mean he plays great golf.  Sometimes they just hit bad shots.

Great tip....also gives him ownership, which is good.  I like this a lot.  

[heavy_hitter]

I will add... routine is of the utmost importance.  

 

It is hard to do in practice rounds every shot, but it needs to be practiced.  First 6 holes just go through routine on Drives,  Next 6 holes just approaches, last 6 holes putts and short game.  It gets meticulous every single shot when practicing, but they need to practice it regardless or when you get into a tournament it is something new.

Edited March 17, 2022 by heavy_hitter

[Medson]

4 hours ago, hangontight said:

My son has a tendency to drop a shot or two in the opening holes (1-3).   It seems more of a psychological thing...like he somehow expects or accepts he will drop a few out of the gate and then he switches to catch up mode.   I don't think it is nerves with him, but maybe just rushing too much as he settles in. 

 

- What about suggesting that he make a conscious effort to SLOW DOWN on holes 1-3 ...not pace of play, but on shot selection, scoring areas, etc. ?

-  Seek a steady "safe par" start (1-3), or be aggressive since you have lots of time to make it up? 

 

What's great about this forum is the discussion. So here is my thought. I think you are overthinking it. And it is getting into your and more important your kid's head. 

 

I never label my daughter anything, e.g. "fast starter", "strong finisher", etc. After reading your thread, I recounted her last few tournaments, she literally shot herself out of the podium in the first or second or both holes several times. It just never occurred to me and to her that she's having difficulty at the beginning of the round. 

 

I always preach to focus on the next shot. And we do it by following a pre-shot routine, e.g. assess the lie, pick a target, have a single swing thought, etc. Whether the ball is in the middle of fairway or 10 yards into the rough is irrelevant. 

 

We also mapped out our preliminary strategy before the round. "Use driver, hit towards left side of the green".

[leezer99]

I know everyone here is familiar with the old adage of “practice like you play” but have you ever considered the opposite “play like you practice”?