[PrareeLor]

I don't really understand why, but I generally almost always do anything better if under some kind of pressure. My two lowest rounds of golf ever came during tournaments, 76 and 78, and I went into both of those thinking my game had left me. Last night I placed very high in a tough field on a pool tournament, playing some really solid players in 9 ball, which I traditionally suck at. Whats odd is that my game has been really off the last month or so.

I struggle to find a solid game, golfing or pool, when playing for fun. Are others this way or do you have a some what level game like I wish I had?

[Cersdog]

I'm mostly the same way. For example, I was in the finals in match play in the first flight. I lost the first two holes then won the next two. Everything was even when we came to the ninth hole. We both hit good drives and he hit his second to the front of the green. I was about 90 yards out and didn't want to go to a playoff, so instead of trying a full 52*, I tried a 3/4 pitching wedge shot. I stuck it within a foot and won my flight. To answer your question, yes I do play better with pressure. That is just one example.

[affozyBoomi]

You're a solid under the gun type player Due. I think more players, including myself, wish they had that ice in the veins mind set. When having to make that five foot putt to shoot my best nine, etc. I put way too much pressure on myself. That's one of a couple reasons I choose not to bet in golf . You would think I was in a life or death situation instead of playing a game. I salute you and all the other guys on here, who actually thrive on pressure and use it to their advantage.
Sic em Due!!!

[PrareeLor]

Times like that are great JL and don't get me wrong, I love playing well at times like that, but I suck at other times and I play a whole lot more often for fun. My last time out on the course gave me like 6 or 8 strokes over my average. I just want to find a consistant game.

[PrareeLor]

You're a solid under the gun type player Due. I think more players, including myself, wish they had that ice in the veins mind set. When having to make that five foot putt to shoot my best nine, etc. I put way too much pressure on myself. That's one of a couple reasons I choose not to bet in golf . You would think I was in a life or death situation instead of playing a game. I salute you and all the other guys on here, who actually thrive on pressure and use it to their advantage.
Sic em Due!!!

Haha, I wish it were ice in the veins, but not really. I seem to go more into auto pilot and don't think as much when under the gun. But, I can't do that other times. I also experiment a lot when I'm playing for fun.

[affozyBoomi]

Haha, I wish it were ice in the veins, but not really. I seem to go more into auto pilot and don't think as much when under the gun. But, I can't do that other times. I also experiment a lot when I'm playing for fun.

I think that is the key. If you can just no brain it, take a deep breath and execute, you have more of a chance to pull it off. It's folks who get hung up in the paralysis by analysis which causes uncertainty and screws up execution.

[PrareeLor]

I think that is the key. If you can just no brain it, take a deep breath and execute, you have more of a chance to pull it off. It's folks who get hung up in the paralysis by analysis which causes uncertainty and screws up execution.

I think your right Gray. My mind won't shut off all the possibilities when it's fun stuff and practice. I go for the big score on every shot.

[QuidQuoPro]

i am the complete opposite of most ppl
from what i read on the internet... when they play with better players or under pressure they tend to elevate their game
me... my game elevates when i am the most relaxed and under no pressure at all
thats why when i play golf with other family (in a bragging rights death match where 3 putting and 20ft drives will get you ridiculed to the point of tears j/k) our scores are at least 10 strokes over all of our handicaps hahaha heck we dont break 100 at putt putt when we play each other
i self destruct and get out of my "game" when the pressure is on
pair me with a duffer and my game turns on... its like i dont have to sweat looking bad or slowing down a low capper or something

[HBPujWBe]

I play better under similar conditions Due. I finally figured out why: I focus more when I play in tournaments, skins matches, etc. I realized that during a casual round I was a lot more lackadaisical. I'm working on changing that. For example, a while back I played in a skins match...no handicapping...and won 11 skins and shot a 77. It was then that I realized how focused I was on every shot. The three golfers I played with all had lower HI.'s.

That's not to say I play that well in "tournament" situations all the time, just that I play better then I do compared to casual rounds.