Fearless Golf

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to relax during a competitive round of golf?

I often make a hash of it when I'm particularly keen to play well and frequently only relax once I know I can't post a decent score...

Today was a case in point.  Mid-week medal at the golf club.  Hoped to play well and get my club handicap down from 13.  However, triple bogey on the first set the scene and I laboured to 11 points on the front 9.  On the back 9 I had 8 pars for 22 points but no good overall. 

Todays round was probably more extreme than usual but I often see this pattern. 

Also, if I play the first 14 holes well then I'll probably struggle with the last four...

Any suggestions?

Playing the back nine first isn't an option...   ....and I do usually hit some balls before going out.

Charles

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Golf-Not-Game-Perfect-Rotella/dp/0743508092/ref=tmm_abk_title_0

Here you go Charles a man that can

http://www.gtour.co.uk/forums/view/6302/Ask_Adam_advice_form_the_Adam_Sprackling_Gtour_Mind_Coach.html

It's all in your mind!!!

I have read what you posted and you say things like "Hoping to reduce my handicap".

This is already putting pressure on yourself to do well.

Just turn up and go through your normal warm-up routine, then play your normal golf.

The fact you are playing in a competition should not come into your mind.  To you, you should just be having a round of golf.  The only difference will be that you will hand in your scorecard at the end!

Russ

Well said Russ, I tried that approach several times yesterday still didn't sink at 15 footers though

Thanks for the replies.

Not a game of Perfect is possibly the best golf book I've ever read and has definitely helped me.  For example, I'm now much more accepting of poor shots than I ever used to be.   Clearly I still have a way to go on the mental game and probably need to read it again...  I've actually read most of Rottella's books and have been thinking about buying Gio Valiante's Fearless Golf.  Hence the post title!

Dave - thanks for the link to Adam Sprackling.  Sounds interesting and very much along the same lines as Rotella.   Have you managed to master 'staying in the present'?  I find this difficult.  Clearly some people are much better at this than others.  I don't mind being classified in the same group as Dustin Johnson (US Open 2010) and Paul Casey (BMW last week and arguably the Open 2010)!

Russ - I agree with you but unfortunately I find it impossible to see all my rounds as the same.   Some matter much more to me and I totally accept that causes me to inadvertantly put more pressure on myself.  If I could treat every round the same as playing a few holes on my own for practice then I might be a sfg!  In my dreams anyway...    Will work on it!