The difficulty of a shot and the stress to perform well has huge impacts on our ability to successfully hit certain shots. It’s easier to blame our clubs, swing and the yardage marker than accepting the fact that we are the reason for a bad shot.
It’s okay to miss a shot occasionally. Golf would not be as challenging or exciting without the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
If you can’t overcome the agony yourself, there are many books to help. I am a big fan of Dr. Bob Rotella, a sports psychologist for many of the PGA Tour players, and recommend his books “Golf is Not a Game of Perfect,” “The Golfer’s Mind,” “Putting out of your Mind” and Life is Not a Game of Perfect.” They should help put a bad shot – and even a good one – into perspective.
Another book – written by Patrick Cohn and Robert Winters – called “The Mental Art of Putting” is also a good book to check out.
Can’t Get There From Here
This tip falls under smart tips for when you find yourself in a situation when the odds of actually hitting your next shot on the green are slim and minimal. The key is look for a bailout and not the miracle shot.
Bailout shots can save you strokes if you can set up your next shot for success.
Good players have an understanding of their abilities and can choose to hit their shot in a location near the green. This gives them the best opportunity to get up and down – chip and one putt – to finish the hole. A chip and one putt setup can make up for one or even two bad shots. So play smart and not heroic.
Save Gas, Play Local
To be honest, I don’t know of a local golf course not offering a summer special. So save some gas and stay in our local area for great golf and great rates.
