Every golfer I know and play a round with adds a stroke or two for no reason. Whether it’s a loss of concentration (usual reason), a bad call or a swing hit, extra strokes are just added to our final score. These mistakes always happen in an amateur game, but it’s the avoidable mistakes that really frustrate me afterwards. The challenge is that I know I’m making a mistake, but I continue that way anyway. A par becomes a bogey, a bogey becomes a double, just because I was refused to change my mindset and follow the path of extra strokes. This is so frustrating, don’t you think?
There are many different scenarios where we might have to add a stroke or two for no good reason. As I discuss further, let’s remove a bad twist from the discussion. This happens all the time and short of trying something outside the norm, it’s an outcome we have to accept (but not like). Bad swings happen to amateurs all the time.
The second thing to eliminate is a bad decision. This happens more often than we would like, but it is still a challenge in an amateur game that is solved with experience. We’ve all made bad decisions or tried to squeeze out a few extra yards that shot our risk-reward ratio through the roof. Bad decisions can only be avoided afterwards. If you committed to the bad shot and missed, you can correct your decision making the next time you are faced with this scenario.
The area that frustrates me the most when adding passes to my final score is a lack of concentration. I get complacent or lazy when I play a game. Sometimes I park my cart on one side of the green (closest to the exit to the next hole) and choose two clubs only to realize that they are not the clubs I need for my shot. Instead of running back to pick up the right bat, I use what I have. This is a great way to increase strokes.
Another lack of focus area is that you always hit the same club from a specific distance. For example, I just grab my 7-iron for 150 yards, regardless of other influences on the shot. Sometimes I have to bat up or down depending on the lie, wind direction, how I’m playing that day, etc. I just grab my iron like a robot and swing away. After I miss an easy shot, I add unnecessary strokes to my scorecard.
Finally, I stop using my pre-shot routine before every shot. It’s like I’m on autopilot with my actions on the golf course. I don’t think about the present and I’m not focused on what I’m doing. I’m just out there whacking away without thinking about how I’m playing. I generally lack concentration and therefore shoot much higher scores than I expect. My lack of concentration is a killer that I have experienced far too often.
Adding strokes to our game is something that can be avoided. Most often, lack of concentration or focus is the culprit. Golf is a game that requires mental focus to improve. I know I play my best games when I’m in the zone and paying attention. If you’re adding strokes to your final score for no apparent reason, take a look at your game and you might be able to figure out the reason without too much trouble. It is probably your lack of concentration that is adding strokes to your final score and this mistake can certainly be avoided.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
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