Four Under Through Seven

Apparently we are all human….even I.  I hope I haven't disappointed too many of my fans with that breaking news. 

I was fortunate to get out and play the other day, taking advantage of the amazing weather we have been having in Ohio (normally the only iron I have in my hands this time of year is used for taking the wrinkles out of my long johns).  

I came out firing with a birdie on the first hole.  No biggie.  Birdieing the first hole used to be kinda my thing.  Smooth par on the second and another at the third.  I birdied the 4th and was feeling pretty good about myself.  Add another par on the 5th followed by a two put birdie on the 6th (you read that right) and I'm three deep and feeling great.  

At that point, I really hadn't thought about my score.  I was zoned. At ease. Relaxed.  Then it happened.  I birdied the 7th hole and it began…..you know what I'm talking about.  I was no longer solely focusing on a particular shot or moment, but instead was thinking about where this round could be going.  I got away with it for one swing and hit a great drive on the 8th hole (a par 4) and had a perfect yardage into the green.    

But instead of focusing on the task at hand while standing over my approach shot, I was thinking about making the turn in 30 (the 9th was a par 5 so I was obviously going to birdie it) for my lowest career 9 holes.   

The interesting part is, I was completely conscious of where my mind and emotions were standing over that shot.  I knew I wasn't focused.  I knew I should have stepped away and regrouped.  Instead I thinned a 9 iron into a bunker, chunked it out short, pitched it long, and two putts later….DOUBLE BOGEY.  

As you can imagine four letter words and golf clubs began to rain down….NOT.  Thankfully I'm a very optimistic person so I wasn't upset.  As I tell my students, if you would have told me that on the 9th hole I would be 2 under I would have been stoked.  

After 17 holes, I had worked my way back up to even par and bogeyed the final hole to shoot 1 over.  Was I disappointed?  NOPE.  

Couple Facts:

1. I got to play golf in FEBRUARY IN OHIO.  #winning.

2. I won the match….and let's face it….I LOVE winning. 

2. I got off to a hot start and not only did I feel comfortable with it…I was loving it.  I wasn't worried about protecting anything.  I was in "go mode".

3. I made a mental and emotional mistake and was completely aware of it.  They say admitting you have a problem is the first step to solving it, but I say being aware that you are making a mistake in the moment is the real first step.  Everyone can tell you that they made a mistake AFTER they made it, but when you feel it happening only then do you have a chance to stop it.  

The next time you get it going on the course, enjoy it.  Savor it.  Ride the wave.  Surfers don't worry about sharks biting their feet off so why should you worry about double bogeys?

Surfs up,

JL

PS….if you want to get comfortable shooting lower scores, play from the most forward tee on the course.  Not only will you get comfortable "going low", but you will expose how bad your short game really is!