My First Mental Scorecard
After reading Mastering Golf’s Mental Game, I was eager to try out the Mental Scorecard to see how consistently my mental game is during a round. I usually debrief myself after a round by talking to myself in the car running through each hole. I usually focus on the holes that ate my lunch and costed my penalty strokes. Using Dr. Lardon’s process, I wanted to see where my mental game falls short of maintaining a constant mental approach the game. It was a learning experience.
Mental Scorecard Steps
Here is how I mental scored myself: On the scorecard, I used one line to track my score and the next line was used to track shots that completed all three steps of the Pre-Shot Pyramid:
- Calculate Shot: measure shot, take wind and elevation changes, choose correct club.
- Create Shot: Choose the shot and aiming point and envision it.
- Execute: Hit the shot you planned.
I tried to be honest with myself and had to go back once or twice and remove points. Here is the resulting metal score:
55 shots completed along the Pre-Shot Pyramid/85 total shots taken = 64.7%
Mental Scorecard Insights
I am content with this score for the first time. As I played, I found some common factors when I scored myself used on how I played.
- Driving Accuracy: I was having trouble with my driver going right. I ended up switching to my 4 hybrid off the tees.
- Putting Consistently: I three putted only three times and averaged 2.05 putts per hole. Only one putt was really off target and followed a break that was not there.
- Poor Aim: There were several shots that were well struck and went straight. Too bad they were not straight at where I wanted them to go. I misaimed and it cost me.
- Short Shots: Due to the wet conditions of the course, I hit a few shots short. Knowing how wet turf robs clubbed speed at contact, I should have clubbed up to adapt to the environmental conditions.
Mental Scorecard Results
Using this system, I found elements of my game that are strong, short game, and where I need to concentrate, tee shots and aiming. This does not mean I should ignore practicing my short game but keep it sharp as it saved me. Golf practice is not a game of whack-a-mole where you only focus on one thing. There is balancing act to polish each area.
Give the Mental Scorecard a shot and see how well you play compared to your own expectations.
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