Letting go

Question
Hey there Bob, Please could you give me some tips on letting go from a bad hole. For example the other day I was even par standing on the 6th. I bogey the par 3 6th because of a silly 3 putt and my brain is totally messed. I try and forget about the putt and hole but just cant seem to do it. It then normally takes me about 2 holes to recover. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks

Answer
Hello,

You need to have a post bad shot routine just like you need a pre-shot routine. I suggest the following:

1. Feel bad. Your going to do it anyway so give yourself permission to go "ugh, I hate it."

2. Take a deep breath. What keeps things going to that most people tighten up in the chest and start to breath more shallow. Most important is to push out ALL of the air.

3. Tap the club on the ground or on your foot. TAP do not hit. You are simply doing a ritual to let go of tension.

4. Take a moment and see the shot going well. Start over, change just enough to make it right in your head and feel the good shot.

5. Drop it, turn away and move on. I mean drop it. Be forceful and make it happen. Just turn and move on.

If you practice this routine fifty to sixty times it will become part of your skill set. But you must practice it. Then you can rely on it.

Best of luck.

Bob Phillips