GOOD ANGER

We have all heard someone on TV or in person say a four-letter word after a bad shot.  Sometimes we might shake our heads, and other times we might understand the frustration.  How much anger should a player release after a bad shot? Some teachers say to stay level through the whole round, never getting too high or too low.  Others say to play with all emotions out for the world to see.  My preference falls in the middle.  As a player, you will have highs and lows in every round.  You need to be able to handle those mood changes to get the best out of your round. My motto has always been to give yourself five seconds to either celebrate a great shot or be upset about a poor one.  I explain that this time should be used for an internal conversation.  You don’t need to do a cartwheel or throw a club during the five-second pause, but it’s okay have a little pep talk with yourself. I’m sure we are all guilty of losing our temper at some point.  Maybe throwing a club, saying some bad words a little too loud, or making a scene.  There are a few things that are wrong with this: it disrupts your playing partners and it gets your emotional state too high, which can affect the next shot. Next time you’re teaching or playing, try to give yourself a five-second period to celebrate or criticize your golf shot.  Talk to yourself and no one else.  Once this time passes, begin to focus on the next shot.  Hopefully this will help turn bad anger into a focused, good anger.