If you want to play you best golf then you’ll want to join the Golf Tribe. It’s now time to make a commitment and get motivated to take your golf to a new level.
The Golf Tribe is a group of like minded golfers who are keen to work together and share their experiences with the automatic (natural learning) golf improvement process.
This is the first step in my Golf Success Blueprint . The GSP will be the world’s first golf instruction program on automatic and natural learning. Keep your eyes peeled – this will be launching soon.
Here’s how it works
If you’re ready to get started here’s what you need to do:
- Publicly Commit. This might be a bit scary but you’ll thank me later. By committing you’ll be more likely to stick to the process and see results. Add a comment below and briefly tell everyone what you’d like to achieve in the next 30 days.
- Read the guidelines. I’ve put more detailed guidelines on this page.
- Report your progress or leave feedback.
- Join the Tribe. This is the best way to keep up to date with what is happening, new lessons and updates. Click here to become a member of The Golf Tribe. Once there enter your email address and press enter.
That’s it. I’m not sure where all this will go at this stage but I think it will be something special. Any golfer can join and it’s free of charge. The only commitment is your time and energy.
See the rules (guidelines) for this Golf Tribe challenge (click here)
{ 253 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Hi ESteady,
I had the same problem yesterday thought that it may of been an issue with my computer??
Regards,
RayC
Hi tribers ,
me as well. I’ll let Cameron know of the problem.
Just as a matter of interest. PLaying automatic means that you really don’t have any technical or thought process regarding technique. I’m a pe teacher and everyday I see kids who for some unknown reason have automated many skills that they rely on to perform in many games. These kids may not seem very textbook like in their technique but they get the job done. Please if you get the opportunity look at Gay Brewer’s swing. Not pretty but a masters title holder just the same.
In golf what you have to have is a mix of sound/basic fundamentals along with playing in competition the ability to call on those skills.This is playing golf. Through his study and observation found in his books he shows you how to play automatically. It is so simple yet so difficult for adults because we question the why. So i hope this helps fellow tribers. I’m still learning to automate my game, the reason it takes longer to learn is that you have to basically reprogram your mind when playing not to think,analyse or try to correct your swing in a mechanical way. Because some where along the line on producing your swing it becomes robotic and stiff, this is excactly the opposite of carefree flowing swing.
All the best.
Steady(oz)
Hi Tribers,
Sorry about the main website problem. I think it is now finally fixed. You can view my golf blog here.
Chat to everyone soon.
Cameron
Hi tribers
Played today and unfortunately have not got good news as it was an ordinary day to say the least.I felt I tried hard to stay auto but whether it was a case of just poor decision making or just going to far the other way with auto process I really do not know.I am going away on a golfing holiday with my best mate as of tomorrow so hopefully everything will sort itself out.With a little bit of luck and good application (auto process)I hope to return with much better news in a weeks time.Bye for now and happy golfing to all.
Cheers Lukey
Hi Tribesmen
I guess it had to happen sooner or later. My run of good form has officially come to an end. Played Gloucester County Medal today. 91 – 12 = 79 net.
Without wishing to make excuses, struggled with back after playing last Saturday and last Monday. Still very stiff this morning. Had awful start. 3 putted par 5 first for bogey, bogied 2 and then went 7 and 8 on next two par 4s. 9 over after 4 holes. Who is this guy who calls himself Steady????
Not a lot more to say really. The worse it got the less I played auto golf. However, as we all know auto golf does not guarantee a good score.
Not playing next weekend. Back on 6 June for Hawkins Rosebowl Stableford. Club Championship over 13 and 14 June. Hope things pick up before then!!!!
Cheers
ESteady
Hello Tribers,
Was able to get out on the weekend for nine holes of unfortunately forgetable golf.
I’ve been using counting numbers as my autocue but I had a tendency to stop counting sometimes when commencing the swing which I believe was having an effect on the hitting of the shot.
I understand it will take some time to fully intergrate the auto process, that’s why my middle name is perserverance. I know down the track results will follow.
Good golfing to all.
Cheers
RayC
The automatic process is a very variable entity in my opinion and is difficult to marry with the technical aspects of continuing improvement.
For me it works a treat for putting when I do it properly, but putting has rarely been much of a problem ( apart from tenseness, rapid pulse and palpitations when a putt really counts-this is usually when you want to do it for your 4-ball partner & not feel bad by letting him down).
No, the problem is the main swing mechanics one needs to have for a reliable swing that doesn’t let you down in a crisis as happened to me last Sat. All of a sudden the old floating right elbow decided to appear on the second last hole – snap hook – triple-bloody-bogey – ended up playing to handicap rather than 3 under-what a waste!!
I think I went automatic but I feel I should have preplanned the shot better in the circumstances.
I am definitely now going to have to change because the ‘out of the blue elbow’ has driven me mad for years.
So Cam, I will hit a few shots before today’s game and, assuming it seems reasonable I’ll then have one swing on each tee and then GO AUTOMATIC.
Is this an appropriate strategy? If not – I am sure most of us who want to improve and have a repeatable reliable swing would like to know what is.
Cheers,
David
David,
We probably have a difference of opinion here. You like to think technically – you have a hard time doing anything else. The flying right elbow is a good story to justify the triple bogey – but would you bet your house on that being the real cause of the problem?
You will always hit some poor shots – I hit a half shank on Saturday but I didn’t let it get to me. And that’s the hard thing – learning to accept a few bad stokes and not letting them ruin your round/day/week/golf career.
My advice is for you to take the straight jacket off. Stop thinking so much about your swing and just play. I reckon you’ll surprise yourself!
Might even see you there!
Good golfing,
Cameron
My provisional was another snap hook.
I am sure you are right but a technical flaw such as I have had for years really needs to be addressed I reckon. I know it might have been nerves ( and it was kind of you not to say so directly ), or wanting to protect a good round – who knows!
Do you have a technical flaw. If not, then is it easier for you to say and to go ‘automatic’ ?
I think of Greg Norman taking longer and longer over his swing preparation as he got older and more damaged. You would think that he could have played automatic with his swing so I guess it might well be as you say – just do it.
Prydie
Hi tribers
Will have to check everything out tomorrow as have only just got back from golfing holiday so will give you the run down come tomorrow.
Cheers Lukey
Hi tribers
Have played an absolute shit load of golf over the past week both on the mainland and here in Tassie and whilst the scores were not all that brilliant there have been some positives to come from it .I have really perservered as best as I can to stay auto but have struggled from time to time and just have to be patient and make sensible decisions.Will keep in contact and Cam I seem to have a little trouble with this site any others with the same problem.
Cheers Lukey
Hi fellow tribers….
I have had issues finding page, so I have not updated for a week or so.
Just a brief update – I meet with Camron approx 5 mths ago “ish” as a very frustarted golfer – a 25 h’cap player who can record 3 on a par 5 – then the very next hole have an 8 on a par 3 – NO CONSISTENCY.
Whilst I have had issues going automatic over past 3-4 months(sometimes great & then not so great), I strongly feel that it is all starting to fall into place, whilst I have not played Saturday comp’s – I have been playing both pennant on Sunday’s ( div 3 hacker & loving it) + practise rounds, my score has reduced, but more importantly my focus on my score has reduced , all I try & do is play each shot one at a time in auto mode, (look at target – , set up , look at target then hit ball to target).
A good round for me is where I have minimal laspes in this process, not what I score.
The upshot – I am now shooting in mid 80′s to low 90′s without hitting ball further, straighter etc than in past or more importantly thinking about it !!
In the past I would have said after breaking 90 in practise a couple of times that I can’t wait to play Sat comp to reduce h’cap down from 23, but in reality – I am now mental process driven rather than what is my hancidap score is, figuring that
(the handicap will take care of itself in due course – without me stressing out over it).
Is my game perfect no it is not – I am stressing out that I am MUST break 90 as a measure of a good round any more NO – as a result am I breaking 90 now- YES
The ultimate proof came – after 12 holes in match play – wnning 8&6, then having my opponent add up my score realising that I was only 9 over par after shooting 42 for the front 9 ( dam that double bogey). I had no idea what my score was & rightfully called a “bushranger”. Surpise , surpise same thing happened the following week.
Hope this helps inspires others to keep working on automation.
Regards
Steve H
Hi tribers
Will unfortunately not have a lot to talk about this weekend as rain looks like buggering it for me.Did manage to have nine holes before the rain hit earlier in the week and in the main it was ok so I will now just have to wait before I can ascertain how things are going overall.
Cheers Lukey
Hi tribers
Is wet no golf pissed off.
Cheers Lukey
Steady oz & e
Where are you guys I have not seen any posts of late.Surely we are not going to lose contact and the tribe fail.Please do not let me be the only one and Cam you get involved too.I have nothing to report golf wise as I have been rained out for a week but I would love to here from you guys.
Cheers Lukey
Hi Tribesmen!
Sorry I haven’t been around for a while. I’ve been real busy with work and family commitments but still managing to play some good auto golf.
06.06.09 – Hawkins Rosebowl Stableford – 34 points
It chucked it down for the first 12 holes. You know the kind of stuff; puddles on fairways and greens and relief from casual water every other shot. Played really well whilst it was raining. Buckled down to it. Got the job done. Got to 1 under after 13 then as soon as the rain stopped, lost my focus and double bogied 3 of last 5 holes. Slightly disappointing but not bad after 91 in medal fortnight previous.
So on to Club Championship played over 13 and 14 June. First round 83 – 12 = 71 net. Second round 81 – 12 = 68 net for 3 under handicap total. Handicap down to 11.6. Overall good performance. Finished 12th in net comp and joint 16th in gross comp.
What was really pleasing though was that I played some really great auto golf out there. Didn’t have much luck at all with the putter but from tee to green I played really well, especially in round 2 when I gave myself 7 good birdie chances from 15 foot and under. It’s quite strange, I’m actually a much better putter when my back is to the wall. I make a lot of good putts to save pars and bogeys but my mindset when I am putting for birdie is tentative as think that I cannot just really go the birdie for fear of missing badly and making a 3 putt bogey. Must work on letting go more on those birdie attempts.
So really pleased with auto performance under pretty much the most pressure us hackers have to face in our season. Really did free things up and just let rip off the tees, made decisive calls on approach shots based on gut feeling rather than analysing distance, wind and elevation etc. Even surprised myself on 454 yard 9th in second round when pushed my drive behind trees on right and then took 9 iron just to play back over trees to 40 to 50 yards short of green, pured it an stuck it on from about 180 wind assisted. My normal 9 irons fly about 130 yards. So there is hidden natural power in there somewhere. To be honest I reckon the second round on Sunday was my best ball striking round for many a year. I’m telling you, had I not got real nervous about being so far out of more scoring comfort zone (I was only 4 over through 12), which I followed with two double bogies (including a 4 putt double bogey on par 3 14th) it could have been a remarkable round.
It must be about 9 months since I first started to play auto golf and I think that is the closest I have come to achieving remarkable golf as Cam calls it and it was great to do it in the Club Champs. I even followed up the two double bogies with a birdie on the par 5 15th to pull me back from the edge as well. Sorry to go on but I am quite excited about things and the fact that my persistence appears to be paying off. Cam is right. It’s not a quick fix but when it’s going well you just stand up, look at the target and just swing. No other thoughts, no interference and no little voice.
Keep the faith. Keep the faith. Keep the faith.
Cheers
ESteady
Hi Guys
Just noticed. Second round should have read 80 – 12 = 68 net.
Still can’t get over how well my auto game was from tee to green on Sunday. Writing the above post got me thinking about it and I realised that I had hit 13 greens in regulation, which is my best for a long time.
However, (there’s always a however isn’t there!) I took 38 putts!!!! Two 3 putts and one 4 putt with only two 1 putts all day. Any ideas guys? Was this my subconcious realising I was striking the ball better than normal and therefore keeping me within my scoring comfort zone by sabotaging my usually fairly reliable putting? What do you think Cam?
Cheers
ESteady
Tribers!!
Where are you guys? Must admit that whilst I am even more convinced that auto golf is the way forward for all of us, I am getting a little bored of being one of a very small minority that can be ‘assed’ to keep putting worthwhile posts on this site. Come on guys. Some of you must have something interesting to say????
ESteady
Esteady
Have been away on holidays for the past ten days but prior to that I thought I was going to be the only one but you have proved me wrong.Well just to update you a little only played golf once whilst away but unfortunately not much putted shit and the rest of the game just followed and frustration level has gone through the roof again.I believe in the auto golf process but just cannot seem to get it together and find myself tooing and froing and not knowing what to do.I seem to getting more of the real old stuff that consisted of a bad slice and no distance at all.I really am just totally frustrated. By the way I have not seen anything from Cam or steady oz of late either.
Cheers Lukey
Hi Lukey
Sorry to hear you are struggling with your game. I am not a teacher and really don’t know what to suggest. Just keep plugging away I guess.
You do seem to be right that we don’t hear much from Steady Oz anymore and we never really heard much from Cam anyway, which I guess is understandable if a little disappointing.
I’m sorry to say that I think that unless others are prepared to put a little more effort into this project or we miraculously find some more contributors from somewhere I will not be contributing in future.
I am committed to playing auto golf and am grateful to Cam for the free infomation / teaching he provides by way of this site but this aspect of things, The Tribe, does not seem to have taken off and I see no point in continuing to flog a dead horse.
Cheers
ESteady
Hi Tribers,
sorry about the lack of posts. Have been super busy. Had minor surgery on the 26th May It seems that steady(e) is starting to get the hang of playing on auto.
Well done. Me I haven’t played that much since club champs. Due to my operation and sickness, golf hasn’t been my highest prioirity. However in saying that Lukey, stand behind the ball and decide what you want to do then walk up , get set in a relaxed manner and pull the trigger. All the while just think about anything but what your doing. When riding a bike or driving a car do you think about what your body is doing while riding and driving. Of course not, so relax and just play. I know it’s hard and frustrating , after the club champs I almost sold my clubs. But hang in there I know it will work.
Cheers Steady(Oz)
Hi Steady Oz
Good to hear from you again. Hope you are feeling a bit better following your operation / sickness. Are you going to be able to get a game in soon?
You’re right about me beginning to see a light at the end of the auto golf tunnel. It is so long ago that I cannot remember the last time I played as well from tee to green as in the second round of the Club Champs. Just a shame about the poor putting! 38 putts is prettyt dismal!! Could have been a remarkable round had the flat stick been performing. Never mind. Another medal round this coming Sunday so I will be back out there relaxing and just pulling the trigger! Especially with the putter!!!
It’s great! I can’t remember the last time I felt so much confidence about my game. I know I could go out there and grind out another 1 or 2 under round but with auto golf I don’t have to try that hard. I really do feel that there is a remarkable round in there and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it materialise by the end of the season. I just know it!! Even if it doesn’t come, who cares; its easy to keep persevering with auto golf as it takes such little effort and is much less stressful and more fun than worrying about my score all the time.
Cheers
ESteady
Hi Tribers,
I’m sorry about my lack of responses and this blog thing being all stuffed up. I’ve been working really hard and have some good news.
My golf biz has attracted the interest of some investors and we’re working hard to get it all happening. Unfortunately the blog is a bit of a disaster at the moment but we’re working on a new and improved version.
You guys will get your own login and hopefully will be able to be the moderators and head gurus. I’m hoping that more people will join in when they see the new site and all what will be on offer.
I truly thank you guys for hanging around and being patient while all this mess is happening. It means a lot.
Esteady – great work mate. Automatic does work and can make golf so much easier and a less of a strain. You could be the new pin up boy!
SteadyOz – Hope you’re back on your feet again and feeling better. I’m sure the club champs was just a bad round. I will see you when you come to Melbourne.
Lukey – I can’t wait to launch my new products (including video) for you. I know it will help you – please be patient because you’re a lot closer than you think.
I’m sorry again for all of the issues. I’ve been working really hard and will have more news for you guys really soon.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers,
Cameron
Hi Cam
Glad to hear that you are still on board with the Tribe. I think it’s a great idea but it seems to me that others visiting the site (they are aren’t they?) don’t seem to think so. Could it be that the committment thing puts them off to begin with? Why don’t you consider taking that requirement out and see if we can attract a few more contributors? I got really excited when Artful Golfer put in an appearance but it’s been a bit flat since then. Can’t understand it? I thought everyone was into this chatroom thing nowadays.
Good luck with the site and your business ventures but don’t forget to put in an appearance now and again. What new products are you bringing out?
Cheers
ESteady
Hi Cam
Thanks for the above and I do look forward to the DVD and going to play with a couple of guys in a practice round today so will persist.
Cheers Lukey
PS Well done by the way Esteady
Hello Tribers,
I’m a very recent convert to the automatic approach and I very much believe for me it’s the best way forward for improvement with my golf game.Have enjoyed reading the feed back from you guys on auto golf.Unfortunately due to family commitments I’ve been unable to actually get out on the golf course to continue working on implementing the auto approach.
I’m actually currently working on my short game (incorporating some of the tips and info from Cams site)this is definitely an area of my game that needs improvement.Once I can get out on the golf course I look forward to being able to get some advice and constructive feedback from you guys as you’re further down the road with the automatic golf.
Cheers
Ray C
Hi TRibers,
had my first hit in a long time yesterday. I’ll give you a run down.
started on the 10th short par 4 310m pumped my drive, had 45m left chilli dipped my sand wedge, knock it out of the bunker to 2 feet dropped putt walked off.
11 par5 3 ordinary shots great approach one putt. Even though I Had 3 ordinary shots i stuck with my auto cue and still made par.
12th par 3 struck a great 8 iton to about 15ft, left putt 5 cm from hole tapp in par.
13th par 4 turned pover my 3 wood, in the trees had a clear look at the hole wedge stuck it to 3 feet , dropped putt birdie.
14th par 5 sliced a drive off the tee 3 iron to 147m out, pin cut at the back 6 iron to 10 feet missed birdie putt tapp in par.
15th 410m par 4 drived it great, 168m to pin dribbled my 5 iron up the fairway didn’t get agro had 54m to pin sandwedge to 12feet putt slipped past the hole tapp in bogey.
Last hole due to light 16th par 3 over water played for safety knocked my shot to the front of the green chipped onto to about a foot and dropped the putt.
It was good to get out and just play not a care in the world wether my swing was good/bad /ugly.
Just went and played. I’m slowly back on the wagon playing golf the way it should be played AUTOMATICALLY.
Enjoy
JOhn Stead(steadyoz)
Hi Steady Oz
Good on ya mate! Sounds like the rest did you some good!
Playing in medal tomorrow. Looking to carry on where I left off last week. Look at the target, waggle, swing, find it and do it again!
Report back later.
Cheers
ESteady
Hi tribers
Played yesterday with varying results meaning there was some downright horrible mixed in with some quite acceptable and I did try as hard as I could to stay auto.I went out today and played 14 holes with my best mate and stuck with the auto process and at the end of the day I walked away feeling that was as close to being auto as I have been in past weeks .Now all I have to do is keep on keeping on and you never know.By the way nice to hear from you again steady oz.
Cheers Lukey
Hi Tribers
Victor Harraway Medal: 75 – 12 = 63 net
Yes! I felt I was close to a breakthrough with my 80 – 12 = 68 in the second round of the Club Champs last weekend. Played great auto golf (well for me) from tee to green but couldn’t buy a putt (38 putts!!). Did not strike the ball anywhere near as well today but scrambled well and made all the putts that mattered (31 putts).
That is my lowest score for many a year. I would say that I played about 70% auto golf today. Some of it was pretty ugly stuff but I stuck with it as best I could even when I could feel the voice (mental chatter/interference) trying to break through.
Started out with 8 straight pars. Pressure then got to me a little on 9 and 10 which I played poorly but managed to bogey. Funny but those couple of bogies actually settled me down and I was able to play the next 6 holes making 4 pars, 1 bogey and 1 birdie.
So I am stood on the 17th tee 2 over. My concious mind is now beginning to run wild, fluctuating between thoughts of finishing birdie, eagle to shoot my first ever sub par round and for god’s sake don’t put it in the water!!! Our 17th is only 385 yards long but it is one if not the hardest hole on our course. There is water left and right in the driving area where the fairways narrows to no more that 25 yards and some quite severe rough on either side of the approach to the green which gobbles up poor approaches.
There was no way that I was going to completely blow my good card so I decided to play 17 conservatively hitting two good 5 irons to about 35 yds short of pin. Hit reasonable pitch to about 15 feet but just missed par putt. Played par 5 18th well also but got a little greedy and sand iron approach to pin cut close behind front bunker just caught top edge of bunker and fell back in. Hit good bunker shot to about 8 feet but again just missed par putt. Slightly disappointing finish but there was no way I was going to blow it by being overly aggressive and losing a ball or something. As Cam will attest, good auto golf doesn’t necessarily mean standing up and blindly belting every shot. It’s about giving yourself the best chance to pull off the shot you have decided to play. You still need to think your way round the course.
So there we have it. 8 under handicap 75 and there was nothing really remarkable about it other than most unusually I did not have a single double bogey or a single 3 putt. I have been cut to 10.4 now having started the season on 12.3 and the biggest buzz of all is not the scores, even though they are enjoyable, it is the fact that after playing auto golf I come off the course energised because I haven’t been out there for 4 hours or so grinding away!!!
Oh! By the way, some inconsiderate bastard off 8 shot a 1 under gross 70 for a net 62!! Pissed on my fire then!!!!!!
Keep the faith. Keep the faith. Keep the faith.
Cheers
ESteady
Esteady
Great to hear everything is flowing along nicely which in turn will spur me on to stay auto.Maybe if I can do the the same as yourself and steadyoz I can call myself steady lukey ha!ha!ha!
Cheers Lukey
Great Steady(e)
I know how you feel. I had 75 off the stick in a monthly medal net 65 and got beat by a real ahole who off 13 had a 62 net. Any way great news and great scoring.
Man I told you it would happen. As for Lukey it will happen.
Cheers Steady(oz)
Thanks Guys!
Not playing for next couple of weeks as off on holiday. Not too concerned about lack of golf over the next few weeks as I feel as though I have made the breakthrough now and as you all know ‘once you know how to ride a bike’.
Next outing is on 11.07.09 in Club Invitational. Not that serious but would still like to play well for my buddy Chris.
SteadyL!!! Yeah, I like the sound of that!!!! Ha! Ha!
Steady Oz. Hope you are gradually getting back to your normal self after your surgery/illness and have plenty of golf lined up for the rest of the season. Your posts have helped me considerably in the past, especially when I was not making the headway that I thought I should be. Thanks mate!
That’s it for now. Back in second week of July.
Good luck and good golfing.
Cheers
ESteady
Hi tribers
Been raining heaps down here in Tassie and unfortunately golf course has been closed so no golf for me this weekend which is the absolute pits.Can only hope it opens through the week sometime and can get out for a hit then.So the only thing I can do is be positive about being auto just not on the golf course.
Cheers Lukey
Hi tribers
Played today but due to deplorable conditions both score and attitude went out the window.This will unfortunately be my last post because I am finding myself to be a lone voice.So all the best to those that are going to continue playing auto .A special thanks to steady e and oz and Cam also.
Cheers Lukey
I Tribers
hope to get a game in this week. Last couple of weeks the weather has been dismal to say the least. Guess what it is raining on saturday so will let you know how i go.
Cheers Steadyoz
Hi Tribers
Back from hols yesterday and straight into Invitational Day today.
My mate Chris and me scored 39 points in better ball stableford off 3/4 handicap. Broke 80 again today with 79. Started out where I left off a couple of weeks ago playing really good auto golf. Played front 9 in 1 over gross with 2 bogies, 6 pars and 1 birdie.
Back 9 not so good. Started with double bogey 6 on 10 and never really got the momentum going again. Shot 7 over gross for back 9. Shouldn’t complain though as played 60 – 70% auto over back 9 but just didn’t go my way. Anyway, for me two consecutive rounds in the 70s is pretty darn good and I am pleased with the way things are going at the moment.
Sorry to hear you other Tribers are suffering poor weather conditions at the moment. Do you not play in the rain? It can be quite good fun and I have found that if you can let go of your expectations in those conditions it’s quite possible to play good golf. Give it a try!
Sorry to hear that you do not intend to contribute any further to the Tribe, Lukey. Having said that I do not agree with your comment that you are a lone voice. If you look back over the posts since the Tribe started I think you will see that there have been many posts by others that contain considerably more content than your regular but often substance lacking efforts. Don’t be a quitter. Get out and play in the rain and stop whingeing. I thought that was for Poms only!!
Cheers
ESteady
Esteady
Good to see you are back on line and just to answer a couple of your queries so you can actually see where I am coming from.First up playing in the rain is not really a problem but when they actually close the course it is and thus my disappointment.I do agree that most of my posts probably did lack content but unfortunately unlike yourself my rounds have not been that flash.I do believe that you possibly have to play bad before it gets better but it is frustrating when it appears rightly or wrongly to be not happening as you would attest to.I love my g0lf (ask my wife )and it is bloody frustrating when you cannot play because as in my case my course was closed due to rain for two weeks and most other courses in my proximity were as well.I do not agree with the whinger tag (frustrated maybe)and I am sorry I came across that way.Just as a matter off interest I did play yesterday and it was a case of same old same old.To quantify where I am coming from is that in general I am hitting the ball well but continually seem to put a lot of high numbers on the card.Do you not think then to focus on the failures (ie bad holes) is counter productive and in general is why I do not tend to go into my round in a lot of detail or do you think I am wrong to think that way .I do look at this blog every day and I do read other posts but most of the time it is the same three.Plus I do seem to have the occasional computer problem with the site anyone else? I will continue on and I will still contribute but give me an idea of what would be good content.This is by the way not a snide question but a genuine ask.
Well cheers for now Lukey
Hi Tribers,
Hey steady(e) i love playing in the rain. However some of our bunkers don’t drain that well and then the ground around the greens become a hassle. I’ve actually lost a ball on the 8th at Thurgoona.
Any way I didn’t get to play this weekend. I have been battling a pinched nerve in my left side of my neck/shoulder blade region for 3 weeks. As you know that starting the swing can be a real pain in the neck if it is a pain in the neck.
Traveling to Sydney this week will let you know how i go after a trip to the physio.
As for Lukey I hope you find joy in playing golf. I’ts not an easy game however you if the light ever comes on in playing autoi golf I hope it shines like a 1000 suns. Cheers
Steady(oz)
Previous post. The lost ball on the 8th. It is a raised green. My ball come in hot and got sucked in by the wet ground.
Steady(oz)
Hi Guys
Glad to see that my barbed comments evoked some responses. Sorry if I appeared rude. Nothing you can do if the course is closed I guess but don’t let adverse conditions put you off your golf. Over here in the often inclement UK we play a lot of bad weather golf. People who only play when the sun is out are known as ‘fair weather golfers’. You really can learn a lot about your game and yourself by how you deal with poor conditions. I actually play some of my best / most enjoyable golf in poor conditions. It is often more a test of character than skill and I have won many a match over better players by buckling down and grinding. Great fun! Having said that I struggle if the temperature gets much above 25 degrees. Typical Pommie. Can’t stand the heat!!!
Lukey. I don’t consider myself or my recent scores flash. I have worked consistently over the last 10 months or so to reach my auto golf breakthrough and it has not been easy. If you look back to some of my earlier posts you will see that I struggled for a while and I will be forever grateful to Steady Oz and Cameron for their tips during that time and to you for your encouragement. The whole ethos of the Tribe was for us to help each other. To that end, I believe that you need to review your errors / poor rounds immediately after, note where you think you can improve and how, and only then put them out of your mind. I honestly believe you can learn more from your mistakes and bad rounds than you can from the good ones. As regards good content, why don’t you take a look at our exchanges during April. I think you will see what I mean.
Steady Oz. I know exactly how you feel mate. Any time a nerve is impacted upon it is not only very painful but it sends the muscles around the nerve into spasm and they then lock up. I have been dealing with two prolapsed discs for some 20 years now. During early 2001 I was bedridden for over 8 weeks. I was advised by my treating neurosurgeon that my problems would lessen with age and thankfully that is proving to be the case. The offending vertabrae eventually fuse naturally. Reduced flexibility but at least reduced pain also. Hope you get better soon.
Really looking forward to next Sunday’s Burhill Cup Medal. Would be really chuffed if could manage 3 consecutive sub 80 rounds and with auto golf I feel I have a good chance. It’s funny but I already see myself as a 70s shooter. I hope this is healthy confidence and not over confidence!!!!
Cheers
ESteady
Hi guys
Thanks for the response and I along with my mate last night broke down my game and realised that my second shots were my real problem area and it will be intention to work on that facet of my game and then hopefully scores (better ones that is) will follow.I was always capable of shooting scores of mid to high 70′s on my home course but for the last two years I would be lucky to have done that half a dozen times thus as you can appreciate my frustration.I will continue working on my game and of course staying auto.Steady oz with regard to your pinched nerve I had similar a few years ago and when the physio could not fix it I went to a chiropractor and I have been brilliant since.I continue to go and have maintenance about every five weeks and swear by it.Esteady all the best next week.
Cheers Lukey
Hi Tony
thanks for the advice. I’m booked in to see my mums chiro on Wednesday. I played rugby league and union for over 26 years and i can tell you there is nothing worse than to suffer a pinched nerve especially in the neck /shoulder blade region.
Tony you can take or leave this as advice. I play off 8 but been as low as 5. If your 2nd shots are missing the greens or coming up short, I found it great to work on your chipping and pitching. The reason I say this is because I use to bitch and moan about missing a green from 150m to 115m out. Then I started to work really hard on my pitching and chipping. What happened was that if a missed a green i had the confidence to get up and down cause i would put the ball close to the hole with a chip or pitch. Psychologically i wouldn’t get upset and be in the right frame of mind to play. Anyway food for thought.
Keep at it Tony, a friend of mine once said that golf was invented by satan because it is a bitch of a game. On one hole It can give the most awesome sensations and the next you are wanting to sell your clubs on ebay.
If you want we can swap numbers and have a yarn.
Cheers
Steady(oz)
Steady oz
Thanks a heap for the advice I really appreciate it and don’t be at all surprised if your Chiro says that most of the problem from the nerve is in the neck region.And as for swapping numbers I would be only to glad to because there are countless things I would like to ask you.I did half a dozen holes yesterday and put extra effort into my second shots with good results.Anyway my phone number is 0362720972 and I am home most nights after about 8 (shift work) and I look forward to a chat with you.
Cheers Lukey
Hello Tribers,
I was able to get out for a hit on Monday with mixed success.
Started horrifically losing a ball on each of the first two holes, I then managed to snag par on the fourth and fifth holes which is good for me. This scattered play continued on for the remainder of the 18 holes some good holes and some really bad? Have been working on playing auto by deciding on club and shot selection before standing over the ball. Have been using counting as my autocue when walking to the ball and playing the shot trying not to think how I’m going to swing the club. Unfortunately as has been the case for my golf over many years, my shot execution from one hole to the next can be from one extreme to the other? I’m a left hander with the capacity to hit the ball severely right or left with nasty consequences!!! I think this is the part I’m finding very difficult, when I’m hitting it badly I find it hard stopping the brain from analyzing why I’m hitting it right one minute and left the next? I’m trying to stay focused on just walking up to the ball and hitting it without worrying about the consequences? But I’ve been playing golf this way for so many years it’s a bit ingrained???I’m only new to the auto golf so I realize Rome wasn’t built in a day.Would appreciate any feedback you guys could give me?
Regards,
RayC
Ray C
I have not fully grasped the auto system as yet but what you have to do first up is try to hit everything auto as best you can.I found that when I normally stuffed up I was thinking of too much.Persevere because bit by bit it will improve.
Cheers Lukey
Hi Ray C
Your experiences are similar to the rest of us who have tried and are still trying to play auto golf.
You obviously understand the concept, which as with most things is quite simple but as Cameron says ‘it is not a quick fix’. Lukey has the right idea. You must persevere. Give yourself a chance. It has taken me over 9 months to see any real improvement in my scores but over that time I just kept trying, failing and trying again.
Gradually it will come. Keep doing what you are doing and be patient. Decide on your shot, make your club selection, commit to that decision and then distract your concious mind for the duration of your walk to the ball and while you swing.
Equally important from my point of view is to learn to accept the result, good or bad, and resolve to do exactly the same next shot. What really helps me when I am not playing as well as I can is to try to detach myself from the results. It is the process that is important. All you can do is give yourself the best chance of hitting a good shot.
Even the best players in the world have a bad day and they have all the time in the world to practice all aspects of their games.
So, don’t get down on yourself. Commit to giving this thing a real go (most people give up on anything they try to achieve too easily) and be patient. Initially, try to enjoy the challenge and the process and don’t measure you success by the outcomes of your shots. Instead of keeping a normal scorecard simply try keeping a record of how many shots you play on auto during a round and just try to improve that number / percentage every time you play. Let the results take care of themselves!
You may not believe this having read the above but when I first started trying to play auto golf last September all I ever thought about was scores and shot outcomes. People can change you know.
If I had to give you one piece of advice it would be this. Be patient, give auto golf a fair try and most importantly give yourself a chance!!!!!
Hope this helps.
Cheers
ESteady
Hi tribers
Played s/ford comp today and decided to really concentrate on my second shots because I felt they were the shots that were letting me down. I ended up scoring 30pts. with a couple of wipe outs and one three putt.So whilst the scoring was not all that flash I felt my approach to staying auto was good.I felt today I was hitting the ball well but without any timing (make sense?) so this in turn did affect the outcome of a lot of my second shots that in the main fell just that little bit short.Now rather than get down on myself like of have of late I have decided to take positives out of every game and today was a day that if my timing had been that little better I feel today could have been a really good one.I really don’t want to dissect my game but any thoughts on how I can improve timing?I realise that now a lot of work needs to be put into my short game so have any of you guys got thoughts on ways to help improve it.Whilst it was not the improvement I would have liked there is that faint glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
Cheers Lukey
Hi Tribers
Not the best of rounds today. Played Burhill Cup Medal. Shot 87 – 10 = 77 net. Handicap up .1 so now 10.5 with playing handicap of 11.
I don’t know about you guys but I always find it difficult to put my finger on why I play badly. Personally I don’t think it’s really possible. Did I make the wrong strategy decisions, was I overstretching myself, was it a mental mistake, was it my swing? I guess all parts of my game were slightly off today as I hit all sorts of poor shots, inc drives, approaches, pitches, putts the lot. Weather conditions were not great with a number of very heavy showers but I don’t think it was that. I just guess it wasn’t my day.
I did however feel as though I was not quite as auto as I have been over the past few rounds. Again can’t put my finger on why?
Never mind. Playing in my buddy Chris’s Invitational Day next Saturday. Hopefully things will be back to normal for that.
Cheers
ESteady
Hi Tribers,
went to the chiro last week and man was that an experience. He first did some kineisology on my arms and shoulder. He then put me on the dreaded table. I didn’t know what to expect. Anyway after 2 treatments there is no pain and for the first time in 3 weeks no painkillers. Wil be back and playing in 2 weeks. I hate missing my golf like this. However my chiro said if didn’t rest I ‘d miss up to 2-3 months. He said thats how serious my injury was. First the op now the injury. Patience is a virtue.
Talking about the auto process if you can distract your mind long enough not to interfere with what it is supposed to do, then your swing should take care of itself. My 3 key worrds are
Trust relax and flow. That btw is not what I use when walking to the ball. Just occaisionally remind myself so I don’t get all emotional.
Anyway tribers thankyou for your thoughts. Tony will ring on wednesday.
Cheers Steady(oz)
← Previous Comments
{ 5 trackbacks }