People hear the term "off-season" and think of time off, naturally. Well, for me, it means, "work-harder-season". Off-season is typically the time for changes to your physical routine in the gym, any swing changes and mental routine. I have stepped up workouts from 4 days a week like they were when I was playing, to 6 times a week. I have also upped the weight in all exercises. Upping the weight means upping the stretch time and yoga. I have created a workout plan based on some of the things we did in the off-season in college and added some of my own things I need to strengthen in the gym.
Off-season is also a time to work on some habits that may have hindered you in the last year or just some things you want to change about your game that you couldn't really do during season. For me these changes started in September with Eli and had to be put at a halt due to FUTURES Q-school. Now, those changes are back on track and I have been working really hard on them in the last week. When there is snow on the ground, I am working in front of a mirror and doing a lot of mental practice. That entails, getting into a position and swinging through and using the mental game to connect a positive result with that swing. Essentially, I am swinging, then imagining I am striping it down the middle. When more snow melts, I will be chipping and putting like a madwoman!
There are many different ways to work on your mental routine. One I practice is visualization. The good news is, I can work on this when there is snow on the ground and when there isn't! Some of the best books for the mental game I have read in the off-season include: Mind Gym- this is my favorite and every chapter is like gold; Every Shot Must Have a Purpose- also a go-to; and pretty much any book by Dr. Bob Rotella, especially The Golfer's Mind. These books of mine have been read many, many times and highlighted and written in as well.
One of the pinpointed things I am working on on the mental game is the art of positive thinking. I just made that up but it is an art and it is something EVERYONE needs to work on! Essentially, it is taking ANY situation and drawing ALL possible positives from it. Example: Before Q-school I was working on some swing changes, some would say they were pretty dramatic but I think all good players who have a good feel for their game could take them on with practice, which is usually a no-no before a big tournament. Well, all the changes I was making to my swing were good for my process, and not so good for my result. This essentially means that people shouldn't be focused on the result, because there are too many variables that can reek havoc on the result. If you focus on the process, and it is constantly the same, things can rarely go wrong. SO, with those swing changes I wasn't hitting it the way I would have liked before the tournament. I had two choices at that point, pout about not hitting it perfect or taking what I had, trust in it completely and go to work! Needless to say, I chose the latter, trusting every swing in Florida and I played well! My goal was not to play well because that goal is result-focused, my goal was to trust in my ability, no matter what my swing looked like because I know I have a solid short game and a very strong mental game. Well, my results surprised me down in FL, but I achieved my goal and that is what I am most proud of. Now, during the off-season, is the time to address those swing changes a little more microscopically.
"Off-season is a time to work harder because someone, somewhere else is working harder than you."
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 09, 2009
'If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. for where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing.'
-Saint Augustine
-Saint Augustine
Q-school: The Aftermath
Whoa! What a long two weeks I have had! First let me break down the last round.
I started out alright. I played the par-5's awful, which is usually a strength. I had to hit a lefty shot and hit in two hazards on the day which is very uncharacteristic for me. Played the par-4's awesome. Was -1 on them which is something I have been working hard on. I have always been able to murder the par-5's but par-4's have been a different story. It was incredible to have Kathryn on the bag helping me stay positive, I would have gotten pretty angry at my par-5 stat had she not distracted me around the golf course. Tried to make a run the last 3 holes but had a terrible break on my 18th. After the round, I had never felt so tired. Mentally I was SHOT. Physically I felt pretty good, surprisingly! I guess it helps training at altitude!
I finished T78th. Started the day out at T73rd. The last day played pretty tough becuase of the 20-30mph wind so I'm glad my worst score of the week didn't put me too far back. Making the cut, (top 90 & ties) put me in a place to earn a great status on tour. I will know for sure by mid-December after the Final Stage of LPGA qualifying happens. A lot of FUTURES tour players are doing both so some could earn status on the LPGA.
Attitude was KEY this week. I had a great attitude and stayed so positive. Playing 9 rounds of golf in 10 days is unbelievable, throw in some big time pressure, and 5 straight competitive rounds you have one tired girl! It's definitely a lot to ask out of a golfer. There is a reason why they call it a school, it'll school you if you aren't careful! I returned from Florida last night and got some good rest. I plan on taking a little time off, since this will be the only time I will have that luxury! I will be hitting the gym hard this week and next and then hopefully start swinging again and getting sharp for March!
My winter plans are pretty simple. I will be going back to Florida at some point to visit my old teammates just to get out of the cold/snow and get some golf in, and/or possibly going to visit a friend from junior golf in Arizona to play in some Cactus events. Nothing is for sure yet but those the next issues to be addressed!
Thanks for all the support and stopping by for an update! If you have any questions/comments leave them!! I love hearing from you guys or you can email me at rlarson11@gmail.com
I started out alright. I played the par-5's awful, which is usually a strength. I had to hit a lefty shot and hit in two hazards on the day which is very uncharacteristic for me. Played the par-4's awesome. Was -1 on them which is something I have been working hard on. I have always been able to murder the par-5's but par-4's have been a different story. It was incredible to have Kathryn on the bag helping me stay positive, I would have gotten pretty angry at my par-5 stat had she not distracted me around the golf course. Tried to make a run the last 3 holes but had a terrible break on my 18th. After the round, I had never felt so tired. Mentally I was SHOT. Physically I felt pretty good, surprisingly! I guess it helps training at altitude!
I finished T78th. Started the day out at T73rd. The last day played pretty tough becuase of the 20-30mph wind so I'm glad my worst score of the week didn't put me too far back. Making the cut, (top 90 & ties) put me in a place to earn a great status on tour. I will know for sure by mid-December after the Final Stage of LPGA qualifying happens. A lot of FUTURES tour players are doing both so some could earn status on the LPGA.
Attitude was KEY this week. I had a great attitude and stayed so positive. Playing 9 rounds of golf in 10 days is unbelievable, throw in some big time pressure, and 5 straight competitive rounds you have one tired girl! It's definitely a lot to ask out of a golfer. There is a reason why they call it a school, it'll school you if you aren't careful! I returned from Florida last night and got some good rest. I plan on taking a little time off, since this will be the only time I will have that luxury! I will be hitting the gym hard this week and next and then hopefully start swinging again and getting sharp for March!
My winter plans are pretty simple. I will be going back to Florida at some point to visit my old teammates just to get out of the cold/snow and get some golf in, and/or possibly going to visit a friend from junior golf in Arizona to play in some Cactus events. Nothing is for sure yet but those the next issues to be addressed!
Thanks for all the support and stopping by for an update! If you have any questions/comments leave them!! I love hearing from you guys or you can email me at rlarson11@gmail.com
Friday, November 06, 2009
Day 5: Q-school
Lake Region Yacht & Country Club:
I shot 78. Finished decent though. I'm not sure the exact place but I heard 78th. I'll write more about it later when it doesn't take an hour to write on an iPhone!! :)
I shot 78. Finished decent though. I'm not sure the exact place but I heard 78th. I'll write more about it later when it doesn't take an hour to write on an iPhone!! :)
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Day 4: Q-school
The Golf Club at Bridgewater:
Today's wind takes the cake. Windiest day all week. Fortunate enough for me, I am played the course that has absolutely no trees; links style. I started horrible. I was +3 through 4 holes then the next 14 holes I was -3 to shoot an even par 72. This is a big step for me because like I have said before I would get down on myself or pout about the way things were going but, today I did something about it! In the 14 holes that I played well, I made 5 birdies, but missed about 6 putts from 5-15 feet that skimmed the edge of the hole. This is rather frustrating but to have 8 legit looks at birdie on the back nine, is awesome. I am very pleased with those 14 holes.
This leaves me at T73rd. Made the cut. I started the day at T120th and jumped that high which is awesome. I am very excited to play tomorrow, my good friend and old teammate Kathryn will be caddying for me at Lake Region Yacht and Country Club. This will be awesome to have her to talk to and to settle doubts on yardage. I really like having someone there to help me decide. As long as I can decide on a club/yardage, I can made a great swing at it.
Tomorrow will be a great day and I have survived my first professional cut. Gotta keep making good decisions and get some putts to drop tomorrow!!
Today's wind takes the cake. Windiest day all week. Fortunate enough for me, I am played the course that has absolutely no trees; links style. I started horrible. I was +3 through 4 holes then the next 14 holes I was -3 to shoot an even par 72. This is a big step for me because like I have said before I would get down on myself or pout about the way things were going but, today I did something about it! In the 14 holes that I played well, I made 5 birdies, but missed about 6 putts from 5-15 feet that skimmed the edge of the hole. This is rather frustrating but to have 8 legit looks at birdie on the back nine, is awesome. I am very pleased with those 14 holes.
This leaves me at T73rd. Made the cut. I started the day at T120th and jumped that high which is awesome. I am very excited to play tomorrow, my good friend and old teammate Kathryn will be caddying for me at Lake Region Yacht and Country Club. This will be awesome to have her to talk to and to settle doubts on yardage. I really like having someone there to help me decide. As long as I can decide on a club/yardage, I can made a great swing at it.
Tomorrow will be a great day and I have survived my first professional cut. Gotta keep making good decisions and get some putts to drop tomorrow!!
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Day 3: Q-school
Ridgewood Lakes Country Club:
Today was windy! Again! Shot 76! Again! I started off #10 and played the front nine alright. Made one birdie and one par. The back nine I made some course management mistakes but kept them to bogeys. Played solid until my 16th hole when I hit it OB by about 4 inches. But that is the way it goes so I hit a drive in play and made double. My bogey putt stopped about an inch short in the heart of the cup. Went for some birdies on the next two holes but just barely missed my attempts. Overall, attitude was good again. Can't complain when you hit it in the water and OB and you are +3 on those holes. Other than that I was only +1 so overall an okay day. I really need a number tomorrow to sneak into the top-90.
Right now I am heading to my last course to play Golf Club at Bridgewater to putt because the greens I played today were pretty good greens and the greens tomorrow will probably be the opposite. Gotta get used to hitting it pretty hard at the hole.
Moving day wasn't so much a moving day but to stay pretty consistent is something every golfer wants to see. Although I am making one or two big mistakes, those will go away pretty quick with some competition and more practice. Like I said yesterday it has been tough with swing changes but my focus is on the big picture, just trying to get through the week with a good status on tour.
Gotta light it up tomorrow!!
Today was windy! Again! Shot 76! Again! I started off #10 and played the front nine alright. Made one birdie and one par. The back nine I made some course management mistakes but kept them to bogeys. Played solid until my 16th hole when I hit it OB by about 4 inches. But that is the way it goes so I hit a drive in play and made double. My bogey putt stopped about an inch short in the heart of the cup. Went for some birdies on the next two holes but just barely missed my attempts. Overall, attitude was good again. Can't complain when you hit it in the water and OB and you are +3 on those holes. Other than that I was only +1 so overall an okay day. I really need a number tomorrow to sneak into the top-90.
Right now I am heading to my last course to play Golf Club at Bridgewater to putt because the greens I played today were pretty good greens and the greens tomorrow will probably be the opposite. Gotta get used to hitting it pretty hard at the hole.
Moving day wasn't so much a moving day but to stay pretty consistent is something every golfer wants to see. Although I am making one or two big mistakes, those will go away pretty quick with some competition and more practice. Like I said yesterday it has been tough with swing changes but my focus is on the big picture, just trying to get through the week with a good status on tour.
Gotta light it up tomorrow!!
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