2021 Golf Thread

TFP

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I love my 5W, personally. It's marginally shorter than my 3W but significantly more consistent. If I have to keep things accurate and don't have to cover a certain distance, I'll usually pull that.
 

Oil Can Dan

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I love golf, but I suck at it. I'm like a 24 handicap after playing a lot last summer. Can anyone recommend me a place to take lessons based somewhere on the South Shore? I want to get better but I need some help.
 

Doug Beerabelli

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4W (e.g., 16-17 degrees loft) seems to be trendy lately. Marginally shorter but maybe more consistent for a lot of players and easier to hit off the deck. 7W seems to be making a comeback too.
The club fitter had me try the new Heavenwood. That was too much for me, as I remember mocking my dad and others of his age who used that beloved Callaway seven wood back in the day. I couldn't hit it, of course.

Shallow clubface of the 4W did seem to work for me, too.
 

Comfortably Lomb

Koko the Monkey
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The club fitter had me try the new Heavenwood. That was too much for me, as I remember mocking my dad and others of his age who used that beloved Callaway seven wood back in the day. I couldn't hit it, of course.

Shallow clubface of the 4W did seem to work for me, too.
The Heavenwood is a bit weird. It's a 7-wood loft with a 4-wood length shaft.

FWIW, Dustin Johnson has been carrying a 7-wood (21 degree) since last year's PGA.
 

kenneycb

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I love golf, but I suck at it. I'm like a 24 handicap after playing a lot last summer. Can anyone recommend me a place to take lessons based somewhere on the South Shore? I want to get better but I need some help.
Nobody to recommend but you should buy a tripod to hold your phone to film your range session swings. Video feedback is critical and they only cost like $10. Can go the online route if you do that as well.
 

jercra

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Nobody to recommend but you should buy a tripod to hold your phone to film your range session swings. Video feedback is critical and they only cost like $10. Can go the online route if you do that as well.
I bought one of these to attach to my alignment sticks:
AmazonSmile : ZOEA Record Golf Swing, Cell Phone Clip Holder for Golf Training | Work with Clubs, Flag Stick or Alignment Sticks | Quick & Easy to Set Up : Sports & Outdoors

That way I can just keep it in my bag and don't need to drag a tripod around with me. I'm looking forward to using it when we're no longer hitting off mats and the ground isn't a block of ice.
 

kenneycb

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I have something similar but have a tough time with angles, especially in confined spaces. The tripod is small and portable, so it hasn’t been a big issue so far. Good to have options.
 

4 6 3 DP

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Just for those of you who are interested I did a mini fitting at pgass today and the sim 2.0 was legit 10-12 yards longer than my ex220 tour edge both in 16.5.... That thing is a monster
 

Over Guapo Grande

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As mentioned upthread, I got new sticks this year. They are maybe a club delofted-- the 5i is 22*, which is my old 4i loft. I am now back to hitting clubs my "expected" distances (e.g. oh, it is xxx yards, let my pull a y-iron, and have it end up pin high[ish], rather than 10 yards short).

Part of that could also be to a focus I've had on my swing. Ever since I was a kid, I've had a condition called 'wrist-drop' - it is usually temporary, but for me it seems to be chronic. Unless I am really focusing, I get, for the lack of a better term, limp wristed. If you see a stroke victim -- their hands tend to droop down? That's me. So in my swing I tend to flatten out-- so I have been really working on keeping the wrists ... not firm, but ---erect? So in my indoor sessions, I am not scooping anymo....as much. I probably can't get out this weekend (I have ogg-ette) but hopefullyt the home course will be opening up and I can sneak in a few holes pre-dark, esp after DST begins.
 

ManicCompression

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Headed to Bandon on Wednesday for 5 days with a pitstop at Chambers on Tuesday. Weather has turned for the better in Seattle and weather looks perfect for Bandon.
Can you give a rundown of the courses you're playing and how you're doing the trip (staying at the Lodge, etc?) I was thinking about doing this with my wife for our anniversary and would love to know if it's worth it/best way to do it
 
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ManicCompression

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Just for those of you who are interested I did a mini fitting at pgass today and the sim 2.0 was legit 10-12 yards longer than my ex220 tour edge both in 16.5.... That thing is a monster
I can't say enough nice things about the original Sim. I bought one used, replacing the driver that I'd had for 8+ years (TM R9), and I went from hitting it about 250/260 off the tee to regularly hitting 280+ with accuracy. I also got "fitted" for it - the shop I went to told me I should have an X-Stiff shaft on my driver (but keep my irons stiff) and calibrated the club to the right degree with a fade preference (my mistake hits are hooks). It was totally worth the money and the time, and I'm normally pretty stingy with clubs (I've had the same irons since 2008).
 

jercra

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Can you give a rundown of the courses you're playing and how you're doing the trip (staying at the Lodge, etc?) I was thinking about doing this with my wife for our anniversary and would love to know if it's worth it/best way to do it
I've run many trips to Bandon and have been going at least once a year for 20 years now. PM me and I'll give you all the info you could ever hope for.
 

Comfortably Lomb

Koko the Monkey
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Feb 22, 2004
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As mentioned upthread, I got new sticks this year. They are maybe a club delofted-- the 5i is 22*, which is my old 4i loft. I am now back to hitting clubs my "expected" distances (e.g. oh, it is xxx yards, let my pull a y-iron, and have it end up pin high[ish], rather than 10 yards short).
I played Linx Parallax irons at the end of the 90s with a 22 degree 3-iron. Not forgiving at all though.
 

TFP

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Looking like golf weather this week here in the Northeast...
 

Lupe Whalewatch

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Thanks for this! I reached out to them today. I'm excited to learn more about their 15k sf putting greens. I really want to be an above average putter...
You are in Hingham, right? I usually head over to the practice green at South Shore CC once or twice a week with a wedge and a putter and spend an hour or two chipping and putting. It's good, not great, but I usually have the place to myself more or less.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Can you give a rundown of the courses you're playing and how you're doing the trip (staying at the Lodge, etc?) I was thinking about doing this with my wife for our anniversary and would love to know if it's worth it/best way to do it
I'm headed down with 24 guys, so probably not ideal for a trip with your wife. If you call Bandon they'll tell you the best way to setup your trip. We're playing 36 for 4 straight days.

Just left Chambers and driving down to Bandon now. Playing Sheep Ranch tomorrow at noon and then Old Mac/Bandon, Pacific/Trails, Sheep Ranch/Old Mac, Bandon.
 

jercra

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Since we’re talking a little PNW golf, I get all the holes I can play at Pumpkin Ridge (Ghost) tomorrow for $50. Weather looks really good.
Enjoy. That used to be my regular haunt (intentional) but I haven't played it in a very long time. It's such a good track.
 

ernieshore

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I'm headed down with 24 guys, so probably not ideal for a trip with your wife. If you call Bandon they'll tell you the best way to setup your trip. We're playing 36 for 4 straight days.

Just left Chambers and driving down to Bandon now. Playing Sheep Ranch tomorrow at noon and then Old Mac/Bandon, Pacific/Trails, Sheep Ranch/Old Mac, Bandon.
I’m up in Newport, OR for the weekend. Hope you are having the same weather I am. This morning was wonderful. Wind picking up a little this afternoon but not bad.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I’m up in Newport, OR for the weekend. Hope you are having the same weather I am. This morning was wonderful. Wind picking up a little this afternoon but not bad.
The weather has been fucking perfect. Today we played Pacific/Preserve in perfect conditions.

Opted out of Bandon Trails this afternoon to get a bit of a rest after walking Chambers on Tuesday, Sheep Ranch on Wednesday, and Old Mac/Bandon yesterday. Decided to get drunk and play Preserve instead.

Preserve is the best thing on the property. If you come to Bandon, don't skip it.
 

ernieshore

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The weather has been fucking perfect. Today we played Pacific/Preserve in perfect conditions.

Opted out of Bandon Trails this afternoon to get a bit of a rest after walking Chambers on Tuesday, Sheep Ranch on Wednesday, and Old Mac/Bandon yesterday. Decided to get drunk and play Preserve instead.

Preserve is the best thing on the property. If you come to Bandon, don't skip it.
Awesome. And yes - I played Preserve with my wife last - who just started playing golf - and - and it was great.
 
I played yesterday here in Dunbar - my third round of the year, but the first time I've felt like a proper golfer for at least four or five months. I parred the first 10 holes, then hit driver-driver to 10 feet at the 11th and made a curling putt for birdie; I was still -1 going into the 16th (and had missed at least three or four other makeable birdie putts along the way) before finishing bogey-par-bogey for 72. About half of our winter tees are well forward - up to 50 yards forward from their normal location on some holes - and we're still hitting off of mats for another week, so in truth it was a pretty cheap 72. But those caveats aside, it was very satisfying and felt like a platform I can use to really launch myself into the upcoming season.
 

jercra

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The weather has been fucking perfect. Today we played Pacific/Preserve in perfect conditions.

Opted out of Bandon Trails this afternoon to get a bit of a rest after walking Chambers on Tuesday, Sheep Ranch on Wednesday, and Old Mac/Bandon yesterday. Decided to get drunk and play Preserve instead.

Preserve is the best thing on the property. If you come to Bandon, don't skip it.
So? How'd you play? And "get drunk and play Preserve" is one of the best uses of an hour or 2 in the world. Preserve never disappoints. It was a little bit of a letdown that they had to limit the size of groups due to COVID, but it's still amazing.

I played yesterday here in Dunbar - my third round of the year, but the first time I've felt like a proper golfer for at least four or five months. I parred the first 10 holes, then hit driver-driver to 10 feet at the 11th and made a curling putt for birdie; I was still -1 going into the 16th (and had missed at least three or four other makeable birdie putts along the way) before finishing bogey-par-bogey for 72. About half of our winter tees are well forward - up to 50 yards forward from their normal location on some holes - and we're still hitting off of mats for another week, so in truth it was a pretty cheap 72. But those caveats aside, it was very satisfying and felt like a platform I can use to really launch myself into the upcoming season.
Glad to see you back CP. I enjoy reading your round summaries. I love links golf and it's hard to come by out here. Match play is also not nearly as prevalent out here as it is there so it's fun to read your stories.

I finally broke down and bought a MEVO. I really, really want to have a spare $15-18k for an X3, but that day seems far away still. I'll wear out the MEVO though and something is better than nothing, I think. I may be moving soon, but if I don't, I've got lofty goals to get to a + index over the next 2 seasons so I can try to compete in some senior events. Right now, everything is going the opposite direction, but that's mostly due to some foundational swing changes (I'm telling myself that) and the absolute dogshit weather in Colorado since November. I just played 3 rounds in Florida to an 82, 77, 85 after 3 rounds in Co at 80, 81, 88. Conditions here make scoring pretty impossible (played with a 0, 3 and 2 and no one broke 80), but Florida was ideal conditions, outside of overseed growing in, and I still sucked.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I played good when it counted. We play a competition with the 24 guys that go down and I won low gross and low net with 79 (OM), 75 (Pac), and 74 (SR).

I also got really hammered for the replay rounds and didn't break 90 lol
 

TFP

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Slapped it around at Wayland yesterday, will be doing so again today. If I can keep my driver in play, I’m playing well. Big if though.

Wayland was in decent shape, greens were predictably shaggy.
 

Gunca

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Mar 5, 2020
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I booked a full bag fitting with Spargo Golf in Rhode Island for 4/13. I’m beyond excited, but really hope I can find my swing before then. I’ve been doing weekly trackman sessions with a friend, and although I feel slight improvements, I’m still not where I was last season.

What I am most happy about our range sessions is that my friend is making great progress with his driver. It’s notoriously been his worst club for a loooong time, but he’s been much more consistent after a few drills to shallow out his swing.

I’m happy, but if he out drives me on the course, he’s getting a wedge to the ankle.
 

Zomp

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I booked a full bag fitting with Spargo Golf in Rhode Island for 4/13. I’m beyond excited, but really hope I can find my swing before then. I’ve been doing weekly trackman sessions with a friend, and although I feel slight improvements, I’m still not where I was last season.

What I am most happy about our range sessions is that my friend is making great progress with his driver. It’s notoriously been his worst club for a loooong time, but he’s been much more consistent after a few drills to shallow out his swing.

I’m happy, but if he out drives me on the course, he’s getting a wedge to the ankle.
You’ll do nothing.

But it’s true. Last night after working a few Gankas drills I was coming through the ball better than I have in a while. Carrying drives 265-270. 3 wood getting 155 ball speed. Those are pre-shoulder surgery numbers.
 

doldmoose34

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I should’ve posted this earlier but where the ‘Walk doesn’t open until this Thursday, last Monday a few of us regulars took a road trip to South Shore for well My 1st round of the season. I bogeyed 1, birdied 2&3... anyway I’m playing great because I had no anticipation of playing good. I’m on 8th tee, 1 over. It’s playing 145 into the wind to a green surrounded by bunkers and I hit an easy 8 to the right of a trap on the right of the green. I turn to one of the others and say ‘never try a finesse shot on the first day, you always fuck it up’
So what do I try, the ultimate finesse shot, a Flop.... right into the fucking green, half buried, took two to get out, 2 putts and a great round goes pooooof
Par’d 9 for a 40 and after Amy, the person I had made the comment to said ‘you talked yourself into that shot’
 

patinorange

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I'm getting really discouraged. I have gone from a 12 to an 18 in less than a year. (first world retired guy problems) I'm getting older (mid sixties) but some of my older buds are outdriving me by 40 yards. I have lost at least that many yards off my driver. Hitting about 170 carry now. Every par 4 seems like 3 shots to the green. No real physical problems other than arthritic knees. For the first time I am considering lessons. I can't seem to start the swing with my lower body. I think maybe I have always been more of an arms player and my arms are just weakening. I can't seem to get that lower body to kick. Any of you aging guys have cures? I'm ready to take up bowling.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I'm getting really discouraged. I have gone from a 12 to an 18 in less than a year. (first world retired guy problems) I'm getting older (mid sixties) but some of my older buds are outdriving me by 40 yards. I have lost at least that many yards off my driver. Hitting about 170 carry now. Every par 4 seems like 3 shots to the green. No real physical problems other than arthritic knees. For the first time I am considering lessons. I can't seem to start the swing with my lower body. I think maybe I have always been more of an arms player and my arms are just weakening. I can't seem to get that lower body to kick. Any of you aging guys have cures? I'm ready to take up bowling.
Lessons for sure. Find someone that specializes in working with limited flexibility and avoid a coach that is trying to get you into tough positions. You can reach out and ask them questions before booking.

I'm assuming you're not pivoting at all, so not getting any power. You don't need a ton of hip movement, just a slight adjustment to your setup and a hip bump in the backswing would do wonders I imagine.
 

jercra

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Lessons for sure. Find someone that specializes in working with limited flexibility and avoid a coach that is trying to get you into tough positions. You can reach out and ask them questions before booking.

I'm assuming you're not pivoting at all, so not getting any power. You don't need a ton of hip movement, just a slight adjustment to your setup and a hip bump in the backswing would do wonders I imagine.
I agree with all of this. If you're tech savvy at all you can try Skillist and get lessons from any coach in the world and on your terms, but different people respond differently to in person vs remote.

Usually when I'm helping people who are missing power they used to have I find that their stance is too closed and they are very quick on the back swing/transition. Try opening a little and reach a touch more at the top to get a little pause in the transition.

Edit to add that if you can post some videos in here you'll get more advice that you'd ever need or want.
 

barbed wire Bob

crippled by fear
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Thanks guys. Appreciate the feedback. I’m going to attempt a video and talk to some golf teachers.
You are in O.C. aren’t you? This might help. My pro recommended that I go see Mike Hansen for a golf fitness assessment because I was having trouble releasing the club. He did an assessment and found some mobility issues in my shoulder that I was able to correct through strength and flexibility training. My suggestion would be to go here first before seeing a teacher.
Fwiw, here’s an example of the assessment (that’s my instructor getting checked out).
View: https://youtu.be/keEMwoz4svY

https://www.hansenfitnessforgolf.com/golf-fitness-assessment
https://www.hansenfitnessforgolf.com/
 

Phragle

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I'm getting really discouraged. I have gone from a 12 to an 18 in less than a year. (first world retired guy problems) I'm getting older (mid sixties) but some of my older buds are outdriving me by 40 yards. I have lost at least that many yards off my driver. Hitting about 170 carry now. Every par 4 seems like 3 shots to the green. No real physical problems other than arthritic knees. For the first time I am considering lessons. I can't seem to start the swing with my lower body. I think maybe I have always been more of an arms player and my arms are just weakening. I can't seem to get that lower body to kick. Any of you aging guys have cures? I'm ready to take up bowling.
Don't be an arms player
 

patinorange

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You are in O.C. aren’t you? This might help. My pro recommended that I go see Mike Hansen for a golf fitness assessment because I was having trouble releasing the club. He did an assessment and found some mobility issues in my shoulder that I was able to correct through strength and flexibility training. My suggestion would be to go here first before seeing a teacher.
Fwiw, here’s an example of the assessment (that’s my instructor getting checked out).
View: https://youtu.be/keEMwoz4svY

https://www.hansenfitnessforgolf.com/golf-fitness-assessment
https://www.hansenfitnessforgolf.com/
That's really interesting. Thanks. I do have a pin in my right shoulder from almost 40 years ago that does limit some motion up there.
 
I went out as a single yesterday morning, and I very nearly walked off the course after one hole. First of all, I realized too late that I'd left my headphones at home, so I wasn't going to do my normal thing of listening to podcasts all the way around the course. Then I pushed my opening tee shot way right and into the 2nd fairway, and the group coming down the 2nd hole in the correct direction was split on either side of the hole in such a way that there was basically nowhere for me to stand, which was super awkward. When I finally got to hit my shot - an attempted 3-wood with the ball above my feet - I toe shanked it into the rough to the right of the 2nd fairway, a good 40 yards off of my intended line. And then I dumped my third shot (with a 5-iron instead of my normal wedge) into the burn in front of the green and finished with a double-bogey 7. Having literally no idea what your swing is doing is always great fun.

But then I managed to par the next three holes, joined up with the two-ball behind me on the 5th tee, and proceeded to shoot 78 (even thought I had a second 7 on my card as well, a triple-bogey at the 11th, and had my poor ball-striking saved several times by some pretty decent putting). So my morning could have been much worse.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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I went out as a single yesterday morning, and I very nearly walked off the course after one hole. First of all, I realized too late that I'd left my headphones at home, so I wasn't going to do my normal thing of listening to podcasts all the way around the course. Then I pushed my opening tee shot way right and into the 2nd fairway, and the group coming down the 2nd hole in the correct direction was split on either side of the hole in such a way that there was basically nowhere for me to stand, which was super awkward. When I finally got to hit my shot - an attempted 3-wood with the ball above my feet - I toe shanked it into the rough to the right of the 2nd fairway, a good 40 yards off of my intended line. And then I dumped my third shot (with a 5-iron instead of my normal wedge) into the burn in front of the green and finished with a double-bogey 7. Having literally no idea what your swing is doing is always great fun.

But then I managed to par the next three holes, joined up with the two-ball behind me on the 5th tee, and proceeded to shoot 78 (even thought I had a second 7 on my card as well, a triple-bogey at the 11th, and had my poor ball-striking saved several times by some pretty decent putting). So my morning could have been much worse.
Nice recovery! There is something about a shitty start to a round that results in my best mid and late-round play. Whereas starting on a hot streak puts the pressure on for me to keep it up and those are the times I'll blow up on the back 9. When the pressure dissipates so early on with a big number, I get out of my own head and don't overthink from there forward. This is a cousin of those PGA players that are over 10 shots back starting the final round and they put up a 63 playing during the morning on Sunday.
 
There is something about a shitty start to a round that results in my best mid and late-round play. Whereas starting on a hot streak puts the pressure on for me to keep it up and those are the times I'll blow up on the back 9. When the pressure dissipates so early on with a big number, I get out of my own head and don't overthink from there forward.
There's absolutely something in this. It even applied to me on the back nine on Saturday, given that I played 10 through 13 in bogey-triple-par-bogey and then parred the last five holes.

On a separate point (and bear with me here...), I play this stupid little game on my phone called "Darts of Fury". You swipe up with your thumb to launch a dart, and to hit the treble 20 or the bullseye (etc.) you have to swipe with just the right amount of force. I've been playing it literally for years, usually just one or two short matches at a time maybe 2-3 times a day, always against other human opponents online. And lately I've realized that I play the game much better when I can sort of enter a zen state before swiping my thumb, and my swipe is calm and natural instead of abrupt and aggressive; I can get a little nervous on key shots in the game, but as long as I really calm myself before swiping and remembering that it's just a stupid little game on my phone that doesn't matter in the slightest, my odds of success are that much higher.

I mention this because I holed three putts in a row on Saturday - a couple of eight-footers on the 7th and 8th, and then a downhill and left-to-right 20-footer for birdie on the 9th - where I felt like I managed to enter that same sort of zen state. It's amazing for me to think that a darts game on my phone might hold a key to my putting and perhaps even full-swing success on the golf course, but I really think the mental requirements are actually rather similar, and being able to practice those mental skills in short bursts whenever I want is really advantageous.
 

jercra

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There's absolutely something in this. It even applied to me on the back nine on Saturday, given that I played 10 through 13 in bogey-triple-par-bogey and then parred the last five holes.

On a separate point (and bear with me here...), I play this stupid little game on my phone called "Darts of Fury". You swipe up with your thumb to launch a dart, and to hit the treble 20 or the bullseye (etc.) you have to swipe with just the right amount of force. I've been playing it literally for years, usually just one or two short matches at a time maybe 2-3 times a day, always against other human opponents online. And lately I've realized that I play the game much better when I can sort of enter a zen state before swiping my thumb, and my swipe is calm and natural instead of abrupt and aggressive; I can get a little nervous on key shots in the game, but as long as I really calm myself before swiping and remembering that it's just a stupid little game on my phone that doesn't matter in the slightest, my odds of success are that much higher.

I mention this because I holed three putts in a row on Saturday - a couple of eight-footers on the 7th and 8th, and then a downhill and left-to-right 20-footer for birdie on the 9th - where I felt like I managed to enter that same sort of zen state. It's amazing for me to think that a darts game on my phone might hold a key to my putting and perhaps even full-swing success on the golf course, but I really think the mental requirements are actually rather similar, and being able to practice those mental skills in short bursts whenever I want is really advantageous.
I wonder if tracking that state on a watch or band would be possible? It would be neat to be able to practice it and learn which techniques work best for you to get into the state. I feel like I'm the opposite though (and maybe I'm overreacting to the "remembering that it's just a stupid little game" line). I tend to play much, much better in competition than just in weekend warrior type of rounds. Competition helps me focus on every shot and not let the mind wander. I stick to pre-shot routines. I read putts more closely. I calculate risk/reward more carefully. If I tried to remember that it's just a stupid little game and I'm not really playing for anything of substance, I'd play worse, not better.

Totally unrelated, but I walked 72 holes over 3 days this weekend and it was totally exhausting. I know they have caddies and do it for a living, but I really don't think the average person knows how hard it is for Tour pros to walk 72 holes nearly every week like they do. It probably helps that they don't follow up their rounds with a bunch of beers on the patio, but still, walking 7-9 miles a day while playing golf is draining.
 
I feel like I'm the opposite though (and maybe I'm overreacting to the "remembering that it's just a stupid little game" line). I tend to play much, much better in competition than just in weekend warrior type of rounds. Competition helps me focus on every shot and not let the mind wander. I stick to pre-shot routines. I read putts more closely. I calculate risk/reward more carefully. If I tried to remember that it's just a stupid little game and I'm not really playing for anything of substance, I'd play worse, not better.
Hey - whatever works for you. My problem is that I get too wound up about meaningless rounds, and even more wound up about competitive rounds: I need my zen. If you're the opposite, stay the heck away from my idea and find something relevant to you. ;)
 

jercra

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3,147
Arvada, Co
Hey - whatever works for you. My problem is that I get too wound up about meaningless rounds, and even more wound up about competitive rounds: I need my zen. If you're the opposite, stay the heck away from my idea and find something relevant to you. ;)
Haha, I threw the band thing out there for someone in particular. My brother is the same as you, BTW. He needs to drink to a certain level but not above it to achieve his Zen. Chemically induced Zen is the easy answer though.
 

Over Guapo Grande

panty merchant
SoSH Member
Nov 29, 2005
4,459
Worcester
I get where you both are @jercra and @Conigliaro's Potential . On a smaller scale for me-- usually bragging rights. If I go out and play on my own, or at least with a bunch of strangers, I'll toss up 38's/39's/40's for 9. If I go out with my brother... I must just grip it a bit tighter, and it is like I've forgotten which end of the club to hit the ball with. So-- for everyone, their zen is different, I think. Whether it is forget about it... or whether it is "grind it". The key is knowing which zen is yours.

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