People tend to get way too stressed when playing golf, but there's one thing you should always remember... It's just golf. This may be one of the hardest things to do while you're playing, but you should try to remember that it's just a game you are playing. When you're relaxed during your round you will play a lot better. I find that when I'm relaxed I have perfect tempo in my swing, or my putts all go the right distance, or I can let a chip release out to the hole. My tempo can get a bit quick at times, but I find that when I'm playing a relaxed round my tempo cannot be more perfect. It's all in the change of direction at the top of your swing. Most people get uptight and try to control too many aspects of their swing. Just swing freely and let it happen. Watch Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, and Phil Mickelson when they hit full swing shots. They swing completely freely, which allows them to make great contact consistently and hit the shots they want to hit. I try to feel the same way with every one of my swings by keeping my head clear of swing thoughts and staying relaxed. You will find that with a relaxed mind comes a relaxed body, and with a relaxed body comes consistent golf shots.
If you're having trouble staying relaxed during your round, remember to always stay hydrated. This helps decrease any anxiety you might have. Also, try to always be holding something, whether it's a club, bag, ball, pin, drink, or anything else. If you are always holding something, you always have something to do with your hands, which helps keep your mind off of your game. If you are standing around waiting, take out a club and swing it or toss a ball around. The point is simply to do something all the time. Do not EVER give yourself time to stop and think about how you are playing, for this will be the downfall of your round (sorry for the dramatic sentence). In all cases, try to have as much fun as possible with your playing partners. At the end of the day, a fun and relaxed round of golf is usually a good scoring round of golf as well.
Showing posts with label tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tournament. Show all posts
Friday, June 22, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Making A Charge
As you probably saw yesterday, Webb Simpson made a charge to come back and win the US Open. Although it wasn't really the best way to win (because of Furyk's couple of bad holes), he is still the US Open champion. Simpson got off to a decent start, shooting a total of five over par on Thursday and Friday. But it was his weekend play that brought him back for the win. Simpson kept his head throughout the weekend and never gave up. Even though he was still three over after Saturday, he kept playing his game and pulled out a pair of 68's on Saturday and Sunday. This is the kind of weekend play that wins tournaments. There are a lot of people who can play well on Thursday and Friday, but playing well in the weekend crunch time can be a different story.
Simpson stayed very calm throughout his round on Sunday. It seemed he never really worried about what his score was, but simply thought about hitting his shot. He was even incredibly calm as he was seeing the footage of McDowell missing his putt to tie Simpson and force a playoff. He knew he had won the tournament and still showed hardly any emotion while his wife was going crazy. It was because of his ability to stay calm and play his game under the huge pressures that he won this major. He never gave up, and that led him to his great rounds over the weekend. I would suggest that you try to stay in your game in the same way Webb Simpson did this weekend. Never giving up is key to consistently playing well. You're not going to hit every shot like you want to, but when you don't give up and keep playing your game you will play better and more consistently throughout your round or tournament.
On a side note, I would like to say that when you watch these golf tournaments, don't study their swings. Instead, study the way they play the course and how each player differs in attitude. Study the way they keep themselves calm under pressure, because that's what is winning their tournaments. Having a perfect swing may be nice, but keeping calm under pressure and playing your own personal game is even better.
Simpson stayed very calm throughout his round on Sunday. It seemed he never really worried about what his score was, but simply thought about hitting his shot. He was even incredibly calm as he was seeing the footage of McDowell missing his putt to tie Simpson and force a playoff. He knew he had won the tournament and still showed hardly any emotion while his wife was going crazy. It was because of his ability to stay calm and play his game under the huge pressures that he won this major. He never gave up, and that led him to his great rounds over the weekend. I would suggest that you try to stay in your game in the same way Webb Simpson did this weekend. Never giving up is key to consistently playing well. You're not going to hit every shot like you want to, but when you don't give up and keep playing your game you will play better and more consistently throughout your round or tournament.
On a side note, I would like to say that when you watch these golf tournaments, don't study their swings. Instead, study the way they play the course and how each player differs in attitude. Study the way they keep themselves calm under pressure, because that's what is winning their tournaments. Having a perfect swing may be nice, but keeping calm under pressure and playing your own personal game is even better.
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