Dear Dr. Disc Golf

["Over the Hill" Bob]

Dear Dr. Disc Golf

I find myself in a bit of depression lately and I don't know what to do. Getting better is a good thing, right? I have been playing for 2 1/2 years now and getting better all the time. I think! I hear it at every tournament, every casual round, I feel it when I'm out practicing. Ask the guys on my card at Tuesday Two's, Lunchtime League, GNO, UVC, Eugene Celebration. "Great pull, Bob", "Wow, you have soooooo much more distance than you did last year", "Good snap", "Perfect shot selection", on and on and on. I have to agree, I have stepped up my game. A year ago, I threw short, straight, fade to the left drives, and that was my game. I now have another 50 ft. on my drive and am throwing hyzers, anhyzers, thumbers, short forehand flicks. I am sooooooooo much better! Last year I resigned myself to the fact that I was BOB. I waited my turn on the box as the last thrower. This year, I still find myself there but not ALWAYS. I move up in the order, sometimes taking the pad. Woohoooo! I AM getting better! Right?

So, why am I depressed? My scores are going UP, my PDGA rating going DOWN.

What do I do? Is there hope? Have others experienced the same?

Signed:
Depressed in Milwaukie:headbang:

[olydiscgolf]

keep on keepin' on Bob!

[Wes Hansen]

Don't look at the ratings. You are learning new shots and probably going for shots you wouldn't have last year. As your range of throws grows, so will your scores for a time.
Then- they shall fall and your rating increase.
My only concern... you're practicing all those new shots- are you keeping up on your putting practice?
Oh, that and I hope you've figured out a way to stop aging. I don't think that helps.

[Sam]

Ah, tournament play....

I'll tell you how it was for me and we will see if it is the same for you. I have always practiced quite a bit. Casual rounds and field work and time with my basket. In these conditions, I have great confidence almost to the point of knowing putts are going in before I arrive at my mark.

And then there were tournaments. I would get up to a 15-20 foot putt and it looks a mile away. I would think about too much - like the mechanics of my drive and would often throw a number of drives into the ground trying to put too much power on them. Upshots were often called "adventures" and the time after the two minutes sounded and time for tee, it was empty the bladder even though it is already empty.

And then I read a book that helped me to focus when I needed to focus and relax when I needed to relax. Honestly, I don't think that the exact book mattered as I think that there are a number of well-written books on sports psychology. But what reading the book did for me was to get me to think about the when/where/why of my game. I realized that I was getting in my own way and all of the practice I had done might as well have been for nothing as I was thinking myself right out of my confidence and into some weird scary place.

This still comes back (Saturday in a BIG way) but the times when I feel the nerves are fewer and fewer and I have come by the ability of looking at it for what it is and overcoming it. Most of the time.

I have that book for you, Bob, should you wish to read it. :cheers:

[Scott]

Ah, tournament play....

I'll tell you how it was for me and we will see if it is the same for you. I have always practiced quite a bit. Casual rounds and field work and time with my basket. In these conditions, I have great confidence almost to the point of knowing putts are going in before I arrive at my mark.

And then there were tournaments. I would get up to a 15-20 foot putt and it looks a mile away. I would think about too much - like the mechanics of my drive and would often throw a number of drives into the ground trying to put too much power on them. Upshots were often called "adventures" and the time after the two minutes sounded and time for tee, it was empty the bladder even though it is already empty.

And then I read a book that helped me to focus when I needed to focus and relax when I needed to relax. Honestly, I don't think that the exact book mattered as I think that there are a number of well-written books on sports psychology. But what reading the book did for me was to get me to think about the when/where/why of my game. I realized that I was getting in my own way and all of the practice I had done might as well have been for nothing as I was thinking myself right out of my confidence and into some weird scary place.

This still comes back (Saturday in a BIG way) but the times when I feel the nerves are fewer and fewer and I have come by the ability of looking at it for what it is and overcoming it. Most of the time.

I have that book for you, Bob, should you wish to read it. :cheers:

That's not the same book that Brian was always going on about, is it? :chinscratch:

Seriously, didn't mean to steal the thread. Couldn't help myself.

[snap7times]

Ummm... some players will sometimes stick to what they know and not experiment with other angles, discs, shot selections and so forth which will cause some plateau'ing. Keeping an open mind and experimenting with different grips, forms, shot selections and so forth will keep the game exciting and broaden your range of weapons to use on the course during tournaments... I have had the exact same putting grip since I started, but seem to have plateau'ed until recently i accepted a change in grip style and hence the win at Eugene based on putting. I know Kabza will agree to this as he played with me at BSF only 4 months ago and putting was on oposite sides of the spectrum for me. Point is, sometimes a change may be good. Also during my lesson with Sexton, he pointed out a few things that stuck in my mind when making throws or shot selections and were definitely an impact on my rounds at Eugene.
Ratings will go up and down all the time, but your skills and consistency will improve as long as you keep adding weapons to your game. One thing I did during Eugene was slimmed down my bag before every round. I started Friday with this in my bag:
star boss
star excalibur - 1st run
star excalibur
star destroyer - 1st run
star teerex-x
star teerex
star teerex - older version
star wraith - beat
special blend wraith
star 12x wraith
pro firebird
champ valk
champ sidewinder
glow champ teebird
champ eagle
champ leopard
star gator
esp buzzz - abrahobama
esp flx buzzz
cryztal buzzz
z buzzz
jk avair
kc avair

and by the 2nd round I had left in my bag was this...
star boss
star teerex
star wraith - beat
special blend wraith
12x star wraith
champ valk
glow champ teebird
star gator
esp buzzz - abrahobama
exp flx buzzz
z buzzz
jk avair
kc avair

so went from 23 discs on friday to 13 discs 2nd round saturday. Part of the game is getting to know your discs and becoming more versitable with them and knowing how they will be used during the rounds at each specific course.
Hope everyone else chimes in their thoughts on this... great new thread bob!

[Ol' Bob]

So, this disc golfer had just had a miserable round and was sitting at the 19th hole, hanging his head, considering suicide. He reaches for another snort of medicine and knocks over and breaks his glass. "That's about it now," he thinks, and he takes a shard from the glass and slices both of his wrists.

Just then three of his hukkin' buddies walk in and spot him. "Hey Bob, we were just thinkin' about a round in the morning. Want to fill out our foursome?"

Bob slams his two bleeding cuts together, pressing them shut. "What time?" he excitedly inquires.

[Sam]

That's not the same book that Brian was always going on about, is it? :chinscratch:

Seriously, didn't mean to steal the thread. Couldn't help myself.

I don't think the Bible covered sports psychology. Thinking about it, though... if it had, the lions might not have always been the victors in early Roman... uh... sports. :whistler:

[LakeStevensBA]

Dear Dr. Disc Golf

"Great pull, Bob", "Wow, you have soooooo much more distance than you did last year", "Good snap", "Perfect shot selection", on and on and on. :

Tell the people in your group to SHUT UP. This should fix everything.
:laughing:

[Scott]

I don't think the Bible covered sports psychology. Thinking about it, though... if it had, the lions might not have always been the victors in early Roman... uh... sports. :whistler:

(Currently laughing out loud).

Nice. :cheers:

["Over the Hill" Bob]

That's not the same book that Brian was always going on about, is it? :chinscratch:

Seriously, didn't mean to steal the thread. Couldn't help myself.

Got to love it when the Mods themselves hijack a thread. :nono:

Bob

[sillybizz]

This year I have added fifty feet and more accuracy to my drives, midrange game has gotten better and thirty foot putts are getting to be some what easy for me. It first started with me getting more serous about my game, before I was just a casual player out for a walk to get my excercise but this year I have starting practing, not just playing rounds. I took a couple lessons with Chris Waugh and my game is better than ever but before it got so good I got really really bad. After my lesson with Chris the little bit of game I had was failing on me and I was questioning whether or not I could ever get better. Well about two weeks of practicing the things Chris taught me I was about fed up when all of a sudden everything just clicked for me and amazingly it happend to me in about two days. I remember I played a game on a friday and shot a 15 over or something horrible in that range and by the next week at the same course I was shooting four and five over. Anyway, what I'm saying is that just before you get better you get worse but just stick to it. You are going to get frustrated to no end trust me I know. Keep hitting the field and practice. I guarantee that you are probably getting to the next step in your game, hope this helps.

[REDFIVE]

Next time you are out try to slow down. Slow your stride and take in the sights and sounds around you. I haven't playedmany tourneys this year and when I did I hadn't played as well as I know I am capable. Reflecting on why I havecome to believe it is because my expectations were too high and my self emposed preasure was too much. Sincemy last tourney I have tried to slowdown and make my only goalto have fun. I still want to shoot well and stay focussed but I don't make myself worry about it because if I miss a shot there is still another. Take time to have fun and remember why you started playing. I know you will get overthis soon because the game is awesome and too much fun to worry about. I wish you the best of luck. Enjoy.

[Toby Puttzinski]

I would prescribe a disc golf vacation that would include courses that are new to you... perhaps go play some mountain golf and enjoy the beautiful scenery... the 'Icredibowl' is this coming weekend.

I would also recommend getting a hole-in-one...

["Over the Hill" Bob]

I would prescribe a disc golf vacation that would include courses that are new to you... perhaps go play some mountain golf and enjoy the beautiful scenery... the 'Icredibowl' is this coming weekend.

I would also recommend getting a hole-in-one...

This 58 year old body don't do mountain golf to well. :slapface:

Bob

[Sam]

Not sure how playing mountain golf or getting an ace will help his score go down and his rating go up in tournaments. I am not sure that half of the people in this thread understood the man's problem. It is based on tournament play and how to do better in them - not a general disc golf depression but a very specific one.

[ChUcK]

Bob,













I have no advice for you. Well, perhaps to play with different scoring methods during casual play, like skins, wolf, match, etc. That shakes things up a bit sometimes, makes you change your strategy a little.

["Over the Hill" Bob]

A lot of good advice on here and thanks to all. Last weekend I had a plan going in to the Eugene Celebration, and talked to the Coach a few days before the tournament. Play within my skills, pick each hole apart, make smart plays. Did I execute? No! I've resigned myself to the fact that I enjoy playing disc golf too much. How can that be a problem? I get out there with the other guys on the card and after a couple of holes, I'm having a casual round of golf, and just enjoying being on the course with a group of great people. I start throwing without thought to how better could I be doing this. I know my throw can get me to within putting distance so I take the chance. Usually end up demonstating my skills at getting out of an awkward position and ending up with a four or five. In retrospect the smart play would be to place my shot and go for three. When I knew I couldn't make the longer or trickier throw, I had no choice but to place my shots. I do think that with time and practice the shots will fall. I do refuse however to stop loving to play disc golf. If you play on the last card and you are playing with me, one thing is guaranteed...........we suck........but we are going to enjoy it.

Again, thanks for the input!
Bob

[Tim]

I've kind of gone through the same thing...my solution to keep having fun was to cut back on the tournament golf. I've only played a handful of tourneys this year, and only a few of them sanctioned. I played piss-poor at the sanctioned tourneys, and as a result, had less fun. And then the poor tourney play would carry over to my casual play, and the discing experience as a whole wasn't so fun anymore.

Pretty much now, I almost never keep score when I play, so don't care so much about missing 4 footers with my bag on, find it easier to laugh at 50 ft. roll aways, and can go for the low percentage shots with reckless abandon. As a result, I usually have more fun.

So, if tournament play is bringing you down, don't play in tourneys. If you don't want to go to the extremes of not caring about score, don't worry about your score compared to others', just always try to beat your record (that's how I spent the first 4 years of playing). If you still want to play tournaments, just stick to non-sanctioned ones--if you don't do well there, there aren't really repercussions later on for it. As it happens though, I've tended to do far better in non-sanctioned tournaments than sanctioned ones. (stupid self imposed head games).

Basically though, do whatever it does that keeps you having fun in the game. Some people thrive on competition--I'm not one of them. I more like being outdoors with friends, and watching cool shots, so that's what I try to focus on these days.

[Sam]

Every practice round - simulate a live tournament round as closely as possible. Also a big help in the last year or so for me.

[Adam Schneider]

Well, the last two posts couldn't be more different, but they're probably both sound advice, depending on your situation and personality. :)

[Scott]

I've resigned myself to the fact that I enjoy playing disc golf too much. How can that be a problem? I get out there with the other guys on the card and after a couple of holes, I'm having a casual round of golf, and just enjoying being on the course with a group of great people. I start throwing without thought to how better could I be doing this.
Consider yourself lucky. I have the oppsosite problem - I treat every round as if it's a tournament round. That might be fine and dandy for the mental aspect of it, but it tends to be a major buzzkill.

[Sean Phillips]

Not sure how playing mountain golf or getting an ace will help his score go down and his rating go up in tournaments. I am not sure that half of the people in this thread understood the man's problem. It is based on tournament play and how to do better in them - not a general disc golf depression but a very specific one.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed that. The real problem is a lack of Omega-3 fatty acids. :wink2:

[smobro]

Here is what I have done this year to improve:

1) Practice putting correctly by building a routine and a mental routine.
2) Practice approaching short, on the basket, and long with your most accurate approach disc
3) Practice driving straight with no distance expectation just the best straight you can throw
4) Expect to go backward before you go forward.
5) Be impossible to crack mentally.
6) Never stop focusing on the fun, but always focus on winning
7) Play your practice rounds with players you like to play with

I am finally seeing some improvement in my tournament play after alot of hard work. It has been slow. Not everyone is a Brice or an Ebee. Those guys have talent oozing out of their pores and they work hard. Fairways and Greens are the key.

[barbikes]

A lot of good advice on here and thanks to all. Last weekend I had a plan going in to the Eugene Celebration, and talked to the Coach a few days before the tournament. Play within my skills, pick each hole apart, make smart plays. Did I execute? No! I've resigned myself to the fact that I enjoy playing disc golf too much. How can that be a problem? I get out there with the other guys on the card and after a couple of holes, I'm having a casual round of golf, and just enjoying being on the course with a group of great people. I start throwing without thought to how better could I be doing this. I know my throw can get me to within putting distance so I take the chance. Usually end up demonstating my skills at getting out of an awkward position and ending up with a four or five. In retrospect the smart play would be to place my shot and go for three. When I knew I couldn't make the longer or trickier throw, I had no choice but to place my shots. I do think that with time and practice the shots will fall. I do refuse however to stop loving to play disc golf. If you play on the last card and you are playing with me, one thing is guaranteed...........we suck........but we are going to enjoy it.

Again, thanks for the input!
Bob

FIRE YOUR CADDY!
It's just a thought and I've never met you Bob and maybe I'm joking a bit but if you were a ball golfer and I read that post that's what I'd say! Do you know some one that you trust that could accompany you, advise on shot/disc selection, and keep your head on the mission/goal? It sounds like the goal is improved PDGA ratings and to my way of thinking a good caddy could help to achieve that goal.

["Over the Hill" Bob]

FIRE YOUR CADDY!
It's just a thought and I've never met you Bob and maybe I'm joking a bit but if you were a ball golfer and I read that post that's what I'd say! Do you know some one that you trust that could accompany you, advise on shot/disc selection, and keep your head on the mission/goal? It sounds like the goal is improved PDGA ratings and to my way of thinking a good caddy could help to achieve that goal.

Hmmmmm! :chinscratch:Sam DOES owe me! :whistler:

Bob

[tomw]

OTH Bob, im not a Dr, but ive seen a few, and i am disc-aholic. So here's my advise.
Divide you game into three categorize. drives, approach shots and the most important putts. Once one part of you game improves, it bleeds over to more confidence in the other two parts! Since your in the G master division maybe hit putts and approach's until they are you best they can be . You drives should show improvements (if only for a few of your go to shots i.e. backhand, sidearm, whatever your style is).
I play with a 62 yr old friend, Jack, that has improved his game a lot over the last 2 years. His upshots( thumber is his got to shot) put him into positions were he has a good chance of making putts. And his putting is improving.
Good throwing. Putt hard and fast! ;)TW

[DexterHawk]

The other factor to consider is WHERE you are playing tournaments... For top players who have the skill sets to shoot par on every course they face, ratings are quite accurate and perdictable. However, there are a good number of courses that produce below average ratings for people with less distance. Translation, you may have picked some new courses to play tournaments at this year that hurt your ratings.

We all have our ups and downs, I think you've already found the best solution. The love of the game will sustain you much longer than any success could.

Keep on huckin' old man... we love you for it!