Do you struggle with focus?
Many players struggle with establishing that must-have laser focus for every shot. Unfortunately, golf doesn’t care. When focus is not focused, bad shots happen.
In my earlier days on the course, I thought I had to be focused from hole number one through hole number 18. As I became more knowledgeable, I realized that type of focus was not required.
However, when I play with more casual players, I sometimes get, “Wow, you are focused.” Yes, I am. And to execute golf shots, you need to be focused on the task at hand, which is making the shot. A golf shot requires your full attention. I see many players yacking-it-up as they are teeing up.
In my mind, I think, “Oh-oh, that ball is headed for the woods or off the short hairs.”
Can you guess why?
The player’s focus was diverted. Diversion away from the task at hand does not produce consistent results.
Diversion away from the task at hand does not produce consistent results.Christina's Take on Yapping
Some players yack-it-up to calm their nerves, and that’s okay. But keep in mind – that process may not produce consistent results. It is always good to explore other alternatives to calm the nerves and find that laser focus.
Now don’t get me wrong! The game of golf is a wonderful social experience. However, when it is my turn to hit the shot, I become laser focused for one minute. After my shot, I am back to being social, enjoying the beautiful day, my playing partners, the bees and the flowers…you get the picture.
Dealing with yappers when yo
u are trying to focus!
How do you deal with players who are perpetual yappers? Yapping while they hit. Yapping while you hit. And in-between. What’s a girl to do?
My mother has the answer for that question! She has zero patience for overly-yappy players. She claims ADD and politely asks the yappers to be quiet while she hits. As long as you are polite, even make a joke out of your request, the perpetrators will zip it, at least while you hit.