How can I recover after hitting my ball into the water?

Florida golf courses are noted for vast bodies of water and sand. When you dig a hole in the sand it fills up with water because the ground is at sea level. Add some wind, and the water comes into play often unless you have control of your ball flight, and your emotions.

At the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida on March 14th, 47-year-old John Daly, winner of two major championships, made a 12 on the 475-yard Innisbrook 16^th hole after hitting into the water three times. After his drive and two 3-wood shots landed in the water, he played it safe hitting well to the left of the water, and then shanked his 7-iron well right of the green. Big John then took three chips to reach the green and missed a four-foot putt for a 12. He scored a career-high 90.

JD has made a 10 or worse 16 times and has shot 80 or worse 62 times on the PGA Tour.

One week later at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the same hole where John Daly once made an 18, Bubba Watson drove three balls in the water off the 6^th tee. The 2012 Master champ recorded an 11, leading to a final score of 83 and a withdrawal after the first round.

How do you keep from having these kinds of meltdowns? 

Step away and take a mental mulligan. Mental errors are created by not thinking the shot through. Most golfers repeat errors because they are consumed by their emotions. In their hurry to override the feelings of embarrassment, disappointment, insecurity, etc. golfers don’t take the time to prepare adequately for the next shot.

Here is a strategy for preparing your mind and body to recover from a missed shot:

• Instead of thinking how you can make up for the miss on your next shot, ask yourself what you have learned from it.
• What was my last thought before I swung?
• Slow down your thinking and pre-shot routine and breathe deeply.
• Take the time to swing your club until you access the tempo you wanted.
• Replace the emotions with the new good feeling of a fluid tempo.
• Play your percentage shot. Resist the urge to hit another “Tin Cup” shot.
• Be realistic about the distance you can hit your clubs.
• Focus your thoughts and mental pictures on where you want the ball to go, not on what you want to avoid.
• Keep your swing thoughts simple. It is better to focus on tempo, rhythm, the target and basic strategy instead of getting involved with swing mechanics. 

To prepare mentally to play your best golf, listen to the guided imagery CD, “Self-Hypnosis for Playing In The Zone” available at www.pmi4.com/cart