Dealing with Distractions
One member of the NCGA emailed me a question the other day that I thought I would share with you. This person asked, “How do you mentally adjust your game when you play in a foursome where one player is always talking?”
This is actually a question that I’m commonly asked, and it is an experience that virtually every golfer has had to deal with. Frankly, the answer depends on the nature of the golf environment and the nature of the make up of the group. If the reason why the group is together is primarily social, decreasing your expectations about the quality of your score and your performance can be beneficial. Reframing in your mind that the reason that you’re out there is primarily social and allowing yourself to accept that you may not play your best can be a part of the solution.
If you are in a competitive situation, and the social element is not a factor, being assertive enough to ask the person to refrain from talking while you are in preparation for your shot is absolutely acceptable. I’ve suggested that people start by saying something like, “I don’t mean to be a pain, but I have a hard time concentrating on the course when people are talking. Would you mind helping me by keeping your conversation to a minimum?” Communicating in this way initially suggests that you are owning this as your “problem” and not that the talkative person is necessarily doing anything wrong or inappropriate.
Overall, the real challenge for all golfers is to play the game “in a bubble” for the time between the beginning of the pre-shot and the end of the post-shot. The more purposeful, specific, and consistent the pre-shot routine, the less likely a player will be to be distracted by a talkative player, a leaf blower running, or a dog barking in the distance. Thus, working diligently on creating and executing a pre-shot routine can also be a part of the solution.
Lastly, many players have a “focal point” or “trigger” that acts as a reminder to get your mind back under control. The focal point is typically something that you look at and the trigger is a physical action. Before the round, reminding yourself what the trigger “says to you” can be helpful. An example would be a player who intentionally pulls on the bill of his cap before striding into the address position and the pull on the cap means, “Commit fully to this shot”. Another example might be choosing the top of the club in your hand as your focal point and when looking at the top of the club before every shot on the course consistently thinking “Stay calm and keep your tempo smooth.”
Presumably, some combination of these things will help you keep your attention where you want it to be during the time when it’s most critical- a few seconds before you strike the ball through a few seconds afterwards.
