Escape From Golf’s Twilight Zone
One reason that golf is such a hard game is that it's not easy to maintain focus for 18 holes. While a loss of focus can emerge at anytime, it is very common to experience a mental and physical twilight zone between the 12th and 14th holes. So I've decided to create a new term: The 12 to 14 syndrome.
Symptoms of this syndrome include feeling that your swing and mind are “out of sync.” Mechanical swing manipulations only seem to make things worse. It feels like you “lost” your game and can’t find it. You become frustrated and demoralized, especially when you see some big numbers on the scorecard. You just can’t seem to “snap out of it” and get back to your good swings. Scottie Scheffler has talked about how every golfer runs into a stretch like this in every event and that the difference between the top-tier golfers and the rest of the field is that the top golfers get over it more quickly.
So, what can you do about the 12-14 Syndrome?
First, consider some prevention practices. Keep working on your physical conditioning so you don’t run out of gas in the middle of the back nine. Stay hydrated. Skip the hot dogs at the turn. Keep up with some good calories/protein every 4-6 holes. Optimize your mental energy. No one can maintain focus for 18 holes over 4+ hours. Between shots, learn to let your mind and body relax in a state of mindfulness. I address this in Chapter 15, Managing Yourself Between Shots, in my book Better Golf Better Life.
The top priority interventions:
Get back to the Present: As soon as you notice that your mind and swing are lost, the single most important thing to do is to get out of your head and into the present moment. Don’t dwell on the past (“I was just playing so well, what happened?”) or the future (“This round is going to end up in a bad place.”) The most predictable way back to the present is through mindful breathing, Chapter 14, Basics of Mindfulness Meditation for Golfers, in my book Better Golf Better Life. Once you are re-centered in the present, the mental haze will start to clear on its own.
Re-engage fully in your pre-shot routine. In order to confirm that your pre-shot routine has the necessary components you should review the Pre-Shot Routine Checklist. I will be happy to send this to you if you email a request to drrichgolf@gmail.com.
Shift your mindset to disempower negative thoughts and feelings. Give yourself some compassion. Even the best players have negative thoughts and feelings. Become a dispassionate observer of yourself. You cannot get rid of negativity by will-power alone. Try viewing your negative thoughts and feelings like a computer program that “popped up in my head.” You can decide not to “log in.”
We golfers can learn lot from Novak Djokovic when he says:
It’s impossible to maintain focus for an entire match. In every single match, there will be an internal struggle with doubts and fears.
I might appear locked in, but trust me, there's a storm inside. The biggest battle is always within.
The speed at which a player recovers from this phase is the key differentiator of great players. For me it's relatively short.
I use conscious breathing to regain focus and reset during a match.
I don't like the approach that advises to just try to think positive thoughts.
My Mental strength is NOT a gift. It is something that comes with hard work!
I guarantee that you will complete more rounds successfully when you learn to recognize when you are in the 12-14 syndrome and engage in the steps to overcome it.
Since Dr Rich Golf is also about Better Golf is Better Life, consider applying this approach to your everyday life when you find yourself adrift in a twilight zone of negative or pessimistic thinking and feeling.