Bipolar Golf

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By Dale V

  • 9 Likes
  • 17 Replies
  1. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    First, I am in no way making light of those that truly suffer from any mental disorder. That said, I am wondering if others like me, really struggle keeping the game fun on those days when the swing just isn't working? We have the TTI coming up in a few weeks at Kohler and I am reminded of how often on these two-day events that I have one really good day and one day where I totally struggle. The plan this time around is to remember to have fun. I might even write it into the brim of my cap. If you get paired with me at Kohler, just remind me from time to time, not to be a @!&%. Thanks.

  2. Allan

    Allan
    California

    Team Titleist Staff
    This is going to sound like a joke, but I like to look at the scores at the bottom of professional leaderboards. If golf is that hard for pros who played throughout their youth and as a full-time job as an adult, you're probably not doing all too bad in comparison.
  3. Eric H

    Eric H
    Ridgway, PA

    such is the game we play my friend! A bad day of golf is Always better than a day of work, enjoy your event!
  4. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Deep breaths and careful use a pre-shot routine focused on that one perfect shot. By the time at tee, just swing, no thoughts (...have fun??). If I can only remember this for an entire round.

    If that doesn't work, I need to call in one of my 2 best friends to help relax - Jack or Tito.
  5. Dr. Kovatchian

    Dr. Kovatchian
    Carlsbad

    Dale V said:

    First, I am in no way making light of those that truly suffer from any mental disorder. That said, I am wondering if others like me, really struggle keeping the game fun on those days when the swing just isn't working? We have the TTI coming up in a few weeks at Kohler and I am reminded of how often on these two-day events that I have one really good day and one day where I totally struggle. The plan this time around is to remember to have fun. I might even write it into the brim of my cap. If you get paired with me at Kohler, just remind me from time to time, not to be a @!&%. Thanks.

    Dale when my game gets a little sideways or after a long layoff I spend a ton of time chipping and putting to get my feels back. Having a sharp short game will ease the pain until the long game returns.

    Cheers,
    Dr. K

  6. Jerry M

    Jerry M
    Dallas, TX

    I am with Eric. A bad day on the golf course beats any day of work. We all struggle on those wretched days. I just try to focus on my next shot and think about 1 or 2 key swing thoughts. Best of luck Dale!
  7. Mike M

    Mike M
    Marblehead MA

    Dale, i enjoy reading your posts. I know you'll figure it out and play well. If it's any consolation, I play at a local muni just North of Boston.Our annual City Championship was a couple weeks ago. I shot 84!! And I'm a 6. Hell, I've won the thing twice! Needless to say I didn't make the day 2 cut,but the beer was still cold. I shot 77 from the following Monday at a Donald Ross layout in my area, in spite of finishing with 5 consecutive bogies.

    My point; keep swinging. you'll get it back.

    All the best.
  8. Speedy

    Speedy
    East Coast, NH

    Only thing I'll add to this is just be careful with the attitude. I'll admit a few years ago I had that very same poor, whining attitude when I wasn't haven't a good day. What happened was, my buddies almost didn't wanna play with me going forward. Who wants to be around that for 18 holes, 4 hours? Not me. It's not worth losing your golf buddies over poor attitudes.

    One of my biggest goals the last few years is to learn to have fun regardless of how my round is going. It's a fact i'm going to have more bad days then good, I'm just not that good to be mad and there's a reason I have a day job. In the end, I'm lucky enough to play this game with some great people.

    Like the great Payne Stewart said "A bad attitude is worse than a bad swing."






  9. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Exactly! It doesn't help that I still work and the daily pressure to perform tends to rub off on my golf. Getting better but still have to remind myself to chill out. Try hard in the execution but be calm about the results. Next big test will be next Saturday as I am back on Torrey, finally playing the North Course for the first time. Always want to play well on the big courses to have a positive memorable round.
  10. Christopher V

    Christopher V
    Edmond, OK

    I've switched to a 'memorable holes' attitude on destination trips to big courses. The courses are challenging for the pros, I like to celebrate the birdies and tough pars!
  11. Darron K

    Darron K
    Fate, TX

    Just like life, it has it's ups and downs. It's how you deal with it. I say enjoy it and live aloha as it's something we don't get paid to do! Yes, it's frustrating at times but so is life?
  12. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Dale, layoff a few days before going up. A few days away always helps. Have fun pal. Enjoyed our round at Pinehurst #4 and look forward to another round down the road.
  13. Steve K

    Steve K

    When I’m not playing well (or not scoring well!) I totally ease off the thinking game and just walk up to it and hit it, often without even a practice swing. That old Bob Rotella idea of working most effectively when in the sub-conscious seems to work well-then you ask yourself why didn’t I stand on the first tee with that mentality?!
    I suppose it’s the same as the provisional ball that you just step up to without thought, always goes where it should
  14. Ian T

    Ian T

    Steve K said:

    When I’m not playing well (or not scoring well!) I totally ease off the thinking game and just walk up to it and hit it, often without even a practice swing. That old Bob Rotella idea of working most effectively when in the sub-conscious seems to work well-then you ask yourself why didn’t I stand on the first tee with that mentality?!
    I suppose it’s the same as the provisional ball that you just step up to without thought, always goes where it should

    Dr. Bob Rotella is one of my favorite authors when it comes to the psychology of golf. His books are great reads with advice wrapped into stories of his experiences with people from many walks of life.
  15. Andrew A

    Andrew A
    Charlotte, NC

    I actually mark my ball with a smiley face for this reason. It reminds me all the time that golf is meant to be fun and seeing a smiley face helps reinforce that.
  16. KGault

    KGault

    I am the same way. Some days I go out and play great and the next looks like I’ve never played. I really need to work on consistency. My goal for 2021 is to try to relax more and not let a couple bad homes ruin the entire round !
  17. Rob R

    Rob R
    Chicago, IL

    When the train comes off the tracks, I try to enjoy the non playing parts of the round.
    Take in the surroundings of the course
    Enjoy chatting it up with my playing partner
    Remember that it could be worse (could be working)
  18. Thomas Y

    Thomas Y
    Wenham, MA

    Dale,

    Here is some philosophy that I used to provide and have had to utilize over the past couple of years when play/practice opportunities have been very limited.

    First, it would be very boring to go out and shoot about the same score each time we play. No one does, at least not for long, and that includes tour pros.

    Second, if you have a 'down' round, realize that these rounds are necessary for us to be able to appreciate and enjoy the good rounds!

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