Contributed by David Galassi, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru
You always come home upset and complaining about your game.
Try these few suggestions to ease the pain and enjoy the day.
10. Take your time
Don’t rush to the first tee. If you have a 8:12 tee time get to the course at 7:15. Stroll around the pro shop. Enjoy the fresh air. Take time to check your cleats and feel comfortable in your golf shoes. Just relax.
9. Sit and calm yourself
Grab a coffee or soda. Make it caffeine free if you are on edge. A beverage quiets the nerves and lets you relax. Sit at the bar and watch a little ESPN. Catch a score from the late game as you ponder your game ahead.
8. Warm up
Hit the range. Even if it’s a warm up bucket. A few swings will loosen the back and shoulders and turn those trained muscles on prior to that first swing.
7. Practice putting
Practice a few putts. And not 60 footers. Take a sleeve and drop about 10-15 3 -5 footers. Does a wonder for your confidence level once on the green.
6. Ride with a buddy
Ride with someone who you enjoy being with. Don’t get into a cart with you wife’s ex-lover from high school. That is way too distracting. Enjoy your 5 hours with good conversation while waiting for the slow group ahead. And if you like to drive than do so. Ride if that makes you feel better. It’s about enjoyment, not torment.
5. Focus
Manage the course. Hole one has a 224 yard carry over the creek. Every week you take your drop after rolling one in and the card has a 5 or 6 on it every week. Today hit the 4 iron, then the 3 wood. Up and down for par. “WOW” that 4 looks nice. “It’s going to be a good day”. Stay focused.
4. Be friendly
Tell the beer girl how nice she looks. Tell your buddies how nice a specific shot was. Comment on your partners new golf equipment. Compliments will get you everywhere. The beer girl will tell you how nice your lay up was on one. The support from others gives you a great attitude for the rest of the holes.
3. Don’t dwell on the negative
Put any bad hole behind you. That snowman on 4 was a killer. You lost your head a bit and went for the sucker pin into a 25 MPH head wind. Ok … your bad! Shake it off, 14 more to go and the round is still salvageable.
2. Concentrate on your high points
Remember the good shots. They keep you coming back. That 3 iron stiff from 207 had the rest of the group high-fiving you. Any don’t forget the sandy up and down on 17. “Sweet”. Do forget the 3 balls in the creek on 7. You looked like Kevin Costner in Tin Cup.
1. Make time for socializing
Don’t rush home. Have a “wee nip” at the 19th hole. Better yet collect on the 7 skins you won. Stop on the way home and buy some flowers for the Mrs. With your winnings. Go home happy, content and anxious for next Saturday.