CanCaddy

I guess it's like anything - there are idiots everywhere if you look closely enough

I would think that pros have to go home and have a few rounds with the punching bag if they haven't had a stellar performance. There's no way that a pro having hissy fits and throwing clubs or balls around is going to be tolerated on the tour - maybe you get one freebie, but that would be it.

I try to leave my hysteria for the mini golf course. Somehow it seems okay to go crazy if you can't get the darn ball through that stupid windmill. If I'm playing with some kids, they think it's hilarious when I make a dumb shot since I play golf so much and they know I take it very seriously.

shivas irons

My take on this is a little more involved. Yet it seems to me you are experiencing somewhat of a mini- crisis in the game we all experience so perhaps you'll be responsive to a more detailed post...

To play anger free golf begins with an overall mindset adjustment prior to playing. Attempting to calm ourselves down once we're already angry is close to futile. Sure we can slow our breathing and do various short term, damage control exercises to expel the anger but come on. Does this really change your state for the better and improve your game? Unlikely.

The key is to do mental preparation before you play. Actually visualize poor shots that you are apt to hit and bad breaks you might get ('cuz you will get them, that's golf) and see and feel yourself as being completely relaxed and centered. Looking at the result of the shot as an opportunity to blow your partner away with your recovery ability!

I'm very serious about this. I have been playing golf seriously for over 5 years and with no lessons and using only inner mind techniques I'm a 3 handicap and I've stopped throwing clubs!

To suggest that this post is all you need to expel anger forever would be naaive on my part. Yet the answer definitely lies in previewing your round before you play and allowing your unconscious a new way to anticipate bad shots and bounces. I assure you, if you take the time to do this as a habit your playing partners will see how you play and your state of mind and how calm you are. This will rattle them!

Have you ever noticed that when you're playing against someone who's angry you just know you're going to beat them because not only are you shooting better than them and beating them in score, they are beating themselves too with anger! So it's actually twice as easy to win!

Hope this is useful...

Thumperfive

the mental preparation concept sounds very good - I've heard of other sports pros using this concept and it's worked for them... defintely worth giving it a shot!

geline

Perhaps it depends actually on how you perceive your playing with golf.
If you are really serious and wants it perfectly done, then a little mistake would really get you somewhere. But if you are just playing for fun, then that should not be an excuse for a temper outburst. In whatever way, I believe that we must be grounded in anything that we do and always remember that temper tantrums will always get us away from success.

I really appreciate your sharing of opinions and ideas in this thread.

Thanks!

Keep it up!!

acricketer

Anger and frustration on the golf course, to state the obvious, occurs when there is a mismatch between the result and expectation. When our golfing expectations are not met our emotions can swing between mild cursing to club throwing.
If we are realistic about our current standard of golf and factor in how much we practice then it is far easier to handle a bad shot. If we are bent on improving we'll recognize a bad shot as an area to work on and improve.

When you play only in the moment, without the talent, golf can be extremely frustrating. It is necessary to understand the bigger picture about your game, where you are now, what you can and can't do.

"I'm about five inches from being an outstanding golfer. That's the distance my left ear is from my right." ~Ben Crenshaw

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Thumperfive

that's a great quote from Ben - sort of says it all, doesn't it?

ma_wilson

Great Quote.
Before my handicap lowered to the singles, I used to get frustrated and mad over a missed green, or a yipped putt, or a missed fairway. The simple of it is until I learned that when that shot is over I have to leave it because if I dont that one mistake is going to be 3-4 holes worth of bad shots.

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Michael311

Love minigolf!

puttfordough

My take on the topic is simple:

it's ok to get angry within reason - it shows you're human and you care about your score or improving your game.

it's not ok to throwa tantrum - but it sure is funnay to watch har har har.

My college roomate threw his clubs and bag up a tree - we laughed for days! Plus, he owed us all beer! One of the greatest moments in golf memory seeing him jumping up and down trying to get his clubs back.

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Homeless

I only really get angry at my putter...it's all the putters fault!