I seem to have a few clubs in my bag that intimidate me. They sit over there in the corner. smoking cigarettes and leer at me with a snarl. I timidly take them from their space and anxiously await the humiliation they'll torture me with. These clubs are my 4 iron, my 50 and 60 degree wedges.
Outside of my normal inconsistency in my swings, which is improving, my issues are all mental really. These few clubs, I think I can't hit so, I can't hit them...
That same par 3 with the pond, I played Sunday, where I stuck the green with a 7 wood, I played today with a 4 iron off the tee, I hit it fat and landed short and left of the pond. I was only 50 yards from the pin, but the pond was still between me and the pin. I took out my 60 degree wedge to fly the pond and proceeded to chip 2 ball in a row right into the water... I walked away from that hole at that point. I shook it off though and played some nice shots after that.
How do you get past that mental BS. The wedges I simply don't use enough. Should I be passing up opportunities to play 9 hole and just practice chipping in the back yard? The 4 Iron, I think I can overcome.
Danny
Hi @Cody McDowell,
It's funny, on the last hole yesterday, I duffed the tee shot and ended up about 105 from the pin. I said to myself, "oh, sand wedge, I love my sand wedge and my sand wedge loves me..." (I may have actually said this aloud! LOL) ... and what do you know... I stuck the green!
You are correct I think, and have articulated a very viable solution! I'm going to use this tip. I do think I've been able to overcome the water thoughts. Right now its certain clubs. For water carries, I usually figure out wat needs to be carried, and go a bit bigger so, even a mis hit should carry it. I'm also getting better at laying up and, taking my medicine when I get stuck behind trees. I'm now punching out through the easy path, back onto the fairway rather than trying to get yardage.
Not having many many years of playing this game, I don't have a ton of experience in course management. On that same note, never having this sort of ball flight, ever, I haven't really had much need for course management until now! LOL
I do wonder when I'm going to get past the mechanics of playing "golf Swing" I imagine it is a matter of time and confidence. Unfortunately, I still have to remind myself of certain swing mechanics and it takes me a little while to get into the groove. I just need to play more, I know it sounds awful but, I think that is my way forward!
Danny