How many times have you been on the range or had a social game of golf with your friends where you have played like golf is the easiest game in the world? Many people will answer…many times. So the question is, why can’t we hit the ball in the same fashion when playing in a competitive round?
One of the answers is “comfort zone”. This phrase has many definitions. The point I want to put across is, many people have a comfort zone where they do not feel pressured or feel uncomfortable. People can feel that they are inside their comfort zone when they are playing with their friends, golfers of less ability, and in an environment where score does not really matter (driving range, social golf).
Golfers can feel outside their comfort zone when playing with golfers with a better skill level, in a competitive environment and even when they are playing at a level which they feel is beyond their normal capabilities.
The way to maintain a consistent level of play and to keep a good round going is to take each hole on its own merit. I constantly hear players talking about how they had shot or no shot on a hole which makes them feel they need to play a hole a certain way.
My advice is to play each hole the way you want to play the hole. Do what you feel is the best strategy to get the ball in the hole with the least amount of shots. The points will come if you approach each hole in this manner. Focus on playing each shot well, rather than be result orientated. You should never look at your handicap record before you play and figure out what you need to do to improve your handicap. There is no way that you will play well with that type of pressure on yourself.
Another reason the scores are not as good during a competition round, is because you have not practiced what I call “reality golf”. This is where you hit shots on the range as if you were playing on the course.
Do not hit a full bucket of balls with a wedge, 7 iron and a driver. Pick a target the width of a fairway. Hit ten shots with your driver and see how many you hit within your target. Then pick a target where you might want to land a long iron. Hit ten shots trying to hit ball between your targets. Mark down how many you hit between the targets. Do this with a range of clubs and keep a record of how you score, so when you go and hit a bucket of balls in your next session, you can see if you are improving or not. Writing down results shows you a clear picture of how well you are actually striking the ball.
Doing this, will help you with situations on the course where your mind reverts back to the range, where you are comfortable and happy, which will help take away the pressure of being on the course.