Chapter 2: Mental Game Problems
Imagine what it would be like to be standing on the 18th tee at Carnoustie leading one of the premier golfing events in the world – the Open (British). Not just leading but leading by 3 strokes! All you have to do is make a double-bogey 6 on the finishing par-4 hole. You had made birdie the two previous days; double-bogey or better would be a cinch. A conservative 3-wood off the tee to keep it in the fairway and clear Barry Burn (stream) as it crosses the fairway, then a wedge to lay up short of Barry Burn as it crosses again in front of the green, pitch onto the green, 3-putt, and take home the trophy.
But your name is Jean Van de Velde and it’s 1999. You pull out driver instead. Your tee shot goes right, just missing the burn. Fortunately, you have a good lie. All you have to do is lay up in front of the burn guarding the green, pitch onto the green, 3-putt, and take home the Claret Jug.
But your name is Jean Van de Velde. You pull out a 2-iron and go for the green. You want to go out in a blaze of glory; no lay-up for you. Your shot goes right, hits the grandstands and bounces backward about 50 yards across the burn and into deep rough! You take a mighty swing but the rough wins. Your ball lands in Barry Burn. All you have to do now is take a drop, pitch onto the green and one-putt to win.
But your name is Jean Van de Velde. You pull off your shoes and socks and wade out shin deep with wedge in hand to blast out. The cold water brings you to your senses and you back out and take a drop. All you have to do is pitch to the green and one-putt to win.