The Stupid Zone?!

The pursuit of the big stage in golf is lined with smooth roads. And if you believe that, have I got some land for you. There are moments of great exaltation in the pursuit. Those times when you feel like you've learned something big that will travel with you for the rest of your life, on and off the course. Then there are the moments that set you back or at least cause you to feel that way. And both these scenarios can happen in one round of 18 holes. Unless, you can hold on to a level headed, even keeled mental game.

Golf is really mental. And you can take that any way you want. But the best players know how to maintain composure in both those highs and lows. When you just made an eagle or holed out to make a birdie. That's a great rush and you have to step up on the next tee and compose yourself in order to pull off your next shot. 

This past week I was in Blaine, Minnesota (Minneapolis) playing a qualifier for the 3M Championship on the PGA Champions Tour. I was one over par through five holes. This isn't bad but I needed to make a birdie and head in the other direction. On the tee box of #6 I left my drive left in the rough, in a not so perfect lie. My second shot went hole high but in the sand trap left of the green. It was not what I was planning. I figured a good sand shot out of the bunker would give me a one putt par and that's a good way to leave a hole that could just as easily turn into a bogey. I viewed the shot, took a practice swing and let it go. Up and out of the sand it flew landing softly on a down hill slop toward the hole. My mind was already thinking it was the shot I needed to make an easy par putt but the ball kept rolling closer to the hole. In it goes hitting the bottom of the cup with a shout out from my playing partners and a, much over used, fist pump from me. BIRDIE! It takes me back to even par for the round.

Now comes the test. To maintain calm and composure and step up on the next tee without over thinking or generally drifting off in to the stupid zone.  That's the zone where you start thinking about the shot you just hit and forget to focus on the moment. I did just fine and ended the front nine shooting 36. 

These moments will come during every round of golf you play. The moments of great exaltation and heart wrenching seconds. It's those few seconds that can stick with you for longer then they must. Turning it around, changing the thought and moving forward is a large part of the battle of playing tournament golf. The closer I get to understanding this, the more holes of golf I play well in tournament. 

I will be spending much of my August in and around Vacaville. I'm looking forward to the break from the road and working on the game. If you're in the area let's play some golf!

Hit'em hard and look up!

Byron