[spineeupsenry]

Im not sure if this is supposed to be in this part of the forum so i apologize in advance. I seem to say out loud what I don't want to happen to the players I am playing with and I usually end up doing just exactly what I don't want to happen. I know how to fix it (obviously just keep my thoughts to myself) but anyone else do this as well?

[MichaelfromSpace]

A buddy of mine used to do just that. He worked hard on his game but equally hard on his mental approach. Personally, I saw his game turn for the better at just about the same time as he grew more positive.

"Commentary Roy," we call him. Now, it's very common for him to say things more along the lines of "you're gonna tell your grandkids about this shot," or when putting, regardless how long of a putt, "this is goin' in."

He's learned that very often his actions follow his thoughts. We all know this. With water right, we've all said aloud or to ourselves, "don't go right, don't go right..." Of course, ball goes right.

I've learned, through the sage advice of a former European Tour Pro, to acknowledge trouble only as to plan my attack. Landing spot, where to tee it up in order to hit away from trouble, club selection, etc...

Negative thoughts still creep in from time to time and invariably, negative results follow. It's all about conditioning and today's as good a day as any to start the process for yourself. And keep at it, good luck!

[spineeupsenry]

I appreciate the incite. I have only been playing the game consistently since about march because I played college baseball and took a few years away from the game. I will definitely have to work on my mental approach and hopefully I can start to consistently break 85!

[Nifoziyfar]

The problem lies in that you are focusing on what you DONT want to do and by seeing in your mind what you dont want, that becomes your focus and your target and you create that which you dont want.
Instead of having negative thoughts of what you dont want to do, instead focus on what you DO want to do. You want thoughts such as, "split the fairway", "center of the green", etc.

[purchasviagra]

The problem lies in that you are focusing on what you DONT want to do and by seeing in your mind what you dont want, that becomes your focus and your target and you create that which you dont want.
Instead of having negative thoughts of what you dont want to do, instead focus on what you DO want to do. You want thoughts such as, "split the fairway", "center of the green", etc.

Well said.

[Arkadiyas]

so you're walking up to the teebox thinking

don't slice it into the woods, don't slice it into the woods, don't slice it into the woods.... and then you slice it into the woods?

yeah... stop thinking about what you don't want..... if you're imagining the ball slicing into the woods, it's gonna go there

[Nubtoubrem]

I've had people comment on me doing this, particularly from the tee. I vocalize some absolutely awful swing thoughts, yes. "For gawd's sake, don't hit this in the trees" sort of thing.
That doesn't really do me in, because once I've got the horror result out in the open, I focus in on what I need to do to avoid it and that's what I'm actually thinking.

So "please please please don't slice it OB" becomes "smooth back, inside out, turn it over for a draw" or "if I fade I want to be aiming THERE on the left" to myself. Don't thnk about what you don't want to do, even if you say it or are thinking it, try and nail down what you want to do to the shot. It's sort of backwards, but it usually works for me.

[DoctorIrokezov]

I don't know about you guys, but I find it easy to make those 'hero' shots. Going under a branch, over another tree and onto the green. Why? Because I focus on that small window and line that I need to make.

I approach my game a stroke at a time. I don't look at my total score at all through the round. I hit my ball, move onto the next shot. I don't rehash old shots until the round is over and I'm driving home. When you're out there, say to yourself what hazards? Just focus on what needs to be done. At least that works for me when I'm in the weeds and why I usually start slow and finish strong.