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Golf
Tips for Avoiding Big Numbers:
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Avoiding
Big Numbers will Improve the Bottom Line
Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D.
How
many times have you played a decent round of golf only to
have that one or two holes jump out and bite you? Some amateurs
have a mental block with one or two golf holes that always
balloon their score. Or golfers will hit a bad shot, which
turns into a triple bogey and ruins a good round in the making.
At the end of the round, you're upset because you shot 84
when it could have been a 79 if you don't have a couple big
numbers on a couple of holes.
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The
first step to avoiding big numbers is to minimize the damage after
one poor shot. Some player's anger makes them too aggressive on
the next shot and they end up making matters worse. Don't let that
one bad shot lead to another because you are so angry about the
first bad shot. Some golfers can't take their medicine and chip
out of the trees-they try to hit a perfect recovery shot and wham-a
big number. If you get into trouble and hit the ball into the woods,
instead of trying to hit the perfect fade around and over the trees,
chip out and play for bogey. Keep your emotions in check because
anger or frustration can cause you to make one poor decision after
the next. Frustration can also cause you to hit shots very quickly
without the proper thought process.
Second, what causes big numbers? Hitting the ball out of play. One
of your goals should be to keep the ball in play as often as possible.
For example, if you are on a tight par four with water on the right
and out-of-bounds on the left, you don't have to hit a driver just
because everyone else hits a driver. You can play the hole like
a par five. Hit an iron off the tee, lay up with another iron, and
wedge the ball on for a chance to make par, at worst bogey. It's
a lot easier to play from the fairway than the bottom of the lake!
Third, don't carry the expectation that you always find a way to
screw up the round and make a big number when its going well or
that you always screw up on hole number 14! Both of these expectations
will turn into reality if you hold on to them. Both beliefs will
make you play defensively when you have a chance to shoot a good
round. As soon as you start to think "don't screw this round
up with a big number," you are playing defensive golf. Instead,
set a goal for the end of the round to have a chance at making birdie
or par on the remaining holes. You have to stay aggressive and play
offensively, but at the same time keeping the ball in play and playing
within yourself.
Dr. Patrick J. Cohn is a master mental game coach who works with
golfers of all levels including PGA and LPGA Tour players. Visit
Peaksports.com
to gain access to over 400 exclusive mental game articles, audio
programs, and interviews with athletes and coaches to enhance your
golf potential: or call 888-742-7225.
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2003 Lowerscoregolf.com
Sean Harder (owner)
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sean@lowerscoregolf.com
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