From Linda:
Dear Dr. Nick:
I work very hard on my golf game, and when I can play unimpeded by slow play I can shoot in the mid to high 70's. As soon as I have to play with or behind slow players my game goes totally to pot and find myself shooting in the low 90's. This is so very aggravating and frustrating. I simply CANNOT handle slow play! It drives me nuts.
I have arrived at the conclusion that the reasons slow play bothers me so much are these:
1. It gives me too much time to think about swing mechanics, so I get "analysis paralysis." Of course this destroys my swing.
2. My tendency to sway on the backswing sneaks back into my swing after I have to wait around to hit the ball. This leads to more thinking about swing mechanics which again destroys my swing.
3. My "tempo" is totally shot by slow play.
4. I cannot maintain my focus or interest during slow play. I just want to get off the golf course.
5. I get drawn into what the slow players are doing thus taking my attention off my own game. I even find myself doing what they are doing!! ARRRRRRGGHH!!
6. I get frustrated and angry at the slow players and the slow play in general as they/it destroy my game. I consider their slow play tactics rude gamesmanship and totally unnecessary. I also consider them to be slow-thinkers and I have no patience for them.
When I first learned the game of golf, the very first lesson my father taught me was to MOVE IT and not hold up others on the golf course. I was taught that slow play was rude, inconsiderate and selfish. I was also taught to quickly assess my upcoming shot as I approach the ball so that I am ready to execute the shot as soon as I reach the ball. Most of the time when I am playing my home course our another course I am familiar with I already have the club for the next shot mentally "pulled" by the time I reach the ball. I cannot understand why some players wait until they get to the ball, pace everything off, toss the grass in the air to check wind conditions, etc. etc. etc. I want to yell at them "Hit the damned ball already!!!" This is especially true when these people play the course 3 to 5 times per week. In addition, even though they pace off everything, they couldn't hit the ball to within 1, 2 or even 5 yards of that yardage figure even if they wanted to.
I am often told that these players are "deliberate." What a crock! I am as deliberate as one can get -- especially on the greens -- however "deliberate" and "slow" are NOT synonymous.
I have gotten to the point to where I don't want to play tournaments if these people are playing, nor do I want to play with these people at any time! Most of these slow players are nice people -- I just hate the way they play golf.
For some reason even though slow play is frowned upon by most golfers, tournament committees, etc., slow play seems to "rule." Until I find some way to handle the slow play issue, I will never be able to be competitive on a consistent basis, nor will I ever be able to enjoy playing golf with those "nice-but-slow" players.
I have tried different suggested tactics for dealing with slow play, with no positive results. HELP!
Incidentally, why is it that even though slow play is frowned upon, nobody will call the slow players on their habits and force them to speed up? Why is it that it is O.K. to aggravate fast players with slow play, but it is not O.K. to aggravate slow players by telling them to speed up?
If I could resolve this slow play issue, it would open up a whole new world of golf to me! It is so frustrating to have game but not be able to bring that game to slow tournament play.
By the way, I think another problem I have is related to this slow-play issue. Whenever I play with someone who hits the ball all over the place and constantly needs help watching or searching for their ball, it totally pulls me out of my game. Again, so many of these people are very nice, but I avoid playing with them, or at the very least, I avoid having to ride with them in the cart, and I hate having to do this.
I guess the bottom line is to be able to switch the "concentration button" on and off without becoming too analytical over the shot. How is this done?
Thanks in advance!
Linda
Dear Linda:
Thanks for your letter! - Anger, frustration, and “analysis paralysis.” Wow!
Research on the physiological changes that result from anger indicate the:
¨ Average heartbeat of 80 beats/min. increases up to 180 beats per/min.
¨ Average blood pressure of 120/80 increases to 220/130
¨ Blood lactate levels increase causing muscle tension/spasms
¨ Blood sugar levels decrease precipitously causing shakiness
¨ Ability to focus or concentrate is negatively affected
Accordingly, I believe that the degree of anger and concomitant frustration that you have regarding slow play are the major contributors to what I call “physiological paralysis."
So what to do?
First, to help increase your tolerance of slow play, consider accepting that it is and will continue to be part of the game and that no amount of anger, mental stewing, or “shoulding” about it will help. Indeed, they hurt your game. Thus, the more mentally and physiologically centered you can be during slow play, the more apt you are to swing/play at your best.
However, my main prescription for enhancing your physiological and mental centerdness during slow play is as follows:
Learn to do mantra meditation, yes I said meditation, and do so a half-hour or so before teeing off. Doing so will regulate your blood pressure, regulate your cardiovascular functioning, decrease the lactic acid in your blood, and maintain normal sugar levels. Thereby your physiological reaction to both the anticipation of and occurrence of slow play will be normal and your tolerance level increased. Moreover, your brain wave activity will be synchronized enabling you to be more clear headed and focused.
That is, you will be more relaxed, naturally focused, and tolerant when you begin your round. If slow play should occur you could simply repeat your mantra until normal play resumes or you can do a mini-meditation. Alternatively, you can choose to do a mini-meditation only if you find yourself becoming intolerant, angry, loosing focus, etc. All of these options will serve to reset your physiology/neurology.
Mantra meditation is easy to learn. To learn how, read my article “Mediation for Golfers.” [Nearby on the Scigolf web site.]
Following the prescription will increase your tolerance to slow play, keep you mentally and physiologically centered during slow play, empowering you to play in the mid-70s consistently. Guaranteed!!!
Dr. Nick
