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Thoughts
2010-03-19 Very frustrated and mad right now. I'm not able to hit the shots I want to and the worst thing is that I let my frustration seek into the whole game and stopping me from posting descent scores even though the game isn't there. To shoot even par over two rounds on these somewhat easy courses didn't take me into the weekend. The last time I missed a cut was the Dunhill Links in early October. But since then, I've scored ok but haven't been satisfied with the way I play. It's felt like a constant battle.
I love golf and I want nothing more than playing good golf and being in control of the ball. It's been too long now when I've been standing on the range on wednesday afternoon trying to find a swing feeling that could make me "get around the course" and hopefully shoot under par. I need to have a plan. A man with a plan is dangerous is the saying I think. A man without a plan is lost, and I feel lost right now. I know that my game is not very far away from being good but I just have to make up my mind what to do and what to focus on. When I've spent so much time thinking about how to make my long shots stay inbounds, I haven't had enough time to work on my shortgame.
I need a plan saying how much of everything I should practice a day, a week and so on. And just a few exercises. Not too many so I get confused. Simple, easy and fun. I want to be able to go to bed at night feeling good and knowing that I've done what I planned. With my "no-plan-routine" I never feel satisfied and always moaning to myself that I could have done more today. Planning, executing and checking the box when finished sounds like a fun way to do it.
I got a few comments from some of you saying I looked very tired on TV yesterday on the course. I was exhasuted! I had no idea where the ball was going and I had no idea how to fix it right there and then. It's probably good for you guys to hear that we pros also feel this way!!!:) Not knowing where the ball will go will tear on your mind and make you tired. I didn't get tired because of hard work in the gym. We have only done about 2 hours in there this week and very light on both occassions. Pierre would never make me play bad because we go too hard in the gym. At least I don't think so:)
A lot of negativity from me today but I just wanted you guys to hear how I honestly feel after a dissapointing tournament. We don't always feel great on the course and mostly because we love this game so much we sometimes have this love-hate relationship I've explained above. But, nothing in my mind beats being in control of a golf ball. That's awesome! I want it back!
alex
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James Martin
Hey AlexEveryone knows your the best thing to hit the tour since Tiger!!! stay strong keep doing what your doing and it wall fall into place!
i will be at wentworth this year on the range and i would like to come and watch you train on the practice ground and in the gym! i am about to become a qualified PGA Professional and i would love to do an article on you,
could you please email back if this would be possible, i would be very greatful if this is possible.
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Allan Svärd
Hi Alex!Great site very interesting to follow your thoughts on golf and life on tour. You had a bad day on thursday, forget it. You played well on friday, remember that. Think about what Jack said on the clinic, about fundamentals. I like that. At the same time I came to think about the book from Ben Hogan "the five fundementals" and Alex you got it. Don't think so much about the swing, just do it. I just read sometning in my calendar a saying from Qscar Wilde " Life is too important to take serious". So have a good time and good luck on your path to many championships.
Allan
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jef
p.s. looking forward to many more topresultsreply
jef
Alex,After having the pleasure of playing with you in the pro-am in Switserland last year I have been following you since.
In all the blogs/video's etc I get the feeling that you very passionately en energeticly try to improve your weaknesses by changing nutrition,trainingmethodes,gripping,postures etc.etc.
There are different ways to develop a person.
One way is to try to improve ones weaknesses which is done very often in sports and in in so called mamagementdevelopmentprogrammes.
The energy/frustration spent to score average coming from underaverage is however many times higher than scoring superb coming from overaverage.
This other way to develop is thus building upon ones strengths.
The best example I think was your great countryman Bjorn Borg who was a good baseliner by nature and did not try to improve his netgame so much before excelling as a baseliner.
This strategy brought him many fabulous wins.
It could be an idea to think about this.
Think about the parts of your game which are already good and practise them very often so that your are very constant during the match.(this will also clean your head)
Than try to excell on those parts.It is funny and rewarding.
Then after beiing "worldclass" on these aspects you could think of improving the other parts of your game.
May be you could take your game in Switserland -analysing your strengths then-as a starting point.
Looking forward
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Big Al
Unlucky this week!Maybe try hitting it 'Super Hard'
Keep doing what your doing!
al.
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Lee
I have been following your blog since last year and check on it daily, I know how very passionate you are about your golf and how much you want to succeed like you did last year in Switzerland.I think it's time to stop putting so much effort and emphisis on your swing technique, I don't think it's good for you golf. I think you need to to include into to you new plan to adopt more focus on the way you practice, I mean like rolling the likes of "vision54" I'm sure you have heard of this practice system.
You need to still check on basic fundamentals but you need to practice differently.
You have more talent than going out in the first round in Arizona and to miss the cut this week in Morrocco.
I'd love to have a chat with you face to face about my thoughts from one golf professional to another. Come on start doing the right thing today.
Regards Lee
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Timo
Come on Alex, keep up your good work! One day it will all pay off and I know we will see a lot from you in some big tournaments!reply
Nicholas
Hey Alex,Great players have great routines. They repeat things day in, day out. Their practice routines and pre and post shot routines are precise. Just remember that we humans are creatures of habit. Thoughts also create feelings and feelings will influence performance. You are physically fit and are a great player and you have discovered the benefit of hitting a repeating stock shot. (have you been working on that?) You know what I´m talking about. Working on one consistent shape will stop you standing on the tee or fairway and wondering where the ball is going to go. To be able to visualise your ball flight and committing to your decision is of paramount importance. You can deem to do your best and should accept responsibilty for the results. You may not be able to stop your ball going in the shit but it doesn´t alter your commitment to your routines. Anyway, what would Stevie Williams or Bones say to you if they were caddying for you this week? They would help you maintain focus and concentrate on the present not allowing you to dwell on the past.
Create your system Alex and make it routine, believe in your abilty and stay in the present, hit one shape you like and focus when it´s time. Switch off inbetween shots and recharge your batteries.
You are and will be great.
N
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Digger.
Have a talk with Lasse Evertsson, he's pretty good at those things, make a plan, routine and very straight forward..and i think he's around you guys on the tour..i think he's been doin ok with Edfors.Great blog, always a pleasure to read, keep up the good work Alex.
Digger.
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Rik
Hi Alex,I dont think anyone should ever play golf with a swing FEELING.....because FEELINGS never ever last, your body feels different everyday, thats why your not getting anywhere with your swing.
Your swings there.
You should play golf with a THOUGHT! not a FEELING!
That thought doesent have to be about the swing, it can be something as simple as........picking a spot 3 feet after the ball to alling up too....and thats your thought for the day.....so you set up to the ball and all your thinking is lineing up to that spot. Nothing else.
Trust me, I know we are just amatuer hacks compared to you. But we also have experiences and learn.....and one thing I have learnt (4 handicap, and use to fiddle with my swing constantly) is that you can never EVER trust a swing feeling because feelings in the body change constantly. But you can trust a thought!
How about it....in the next tournament....your only thought all week is to line up too a spot 3ft past the ball, and thats the only thing you concentrate on.
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Erik Forsberg
Hi,Will just say like Jan from Stockholm - be patience. You do not live until you learn to live every day. Try to enjoy every minute. There is lots of people who loves you for the ONE you ARE and not particulary based on WHAT you perform. Take care. All the best. //Erik
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Nick
Hi Alex,I had an interesting experience today. Living in Austria we had a a long winter this time and after 5 month without touching a golf club I played the first round with beautiful springtime weather.
I came directly from the car to the first tee, just hit the first drive 240m in the middle of the fairway and continued to play totally secure of what I'm doing. No swing thougths, no score expectations, just hitting shot after shot, no wonder after 5 month living golfless in the cold. :-)
On the 6th tee it occured to me that I should move my hips more- sliced tee shot! I laughed to myself and thought that it would be great to play this coming season always without those f....... expectations and swing thoughts! I felt so easy.
Shot a 6 over ( I'm a 7 hcp) and was totally happy afterwards.
Just remember how gracious you hit your driver from the fairway on that par 5 in the video - no concerns just hitting the ball with complete confidence and playful feelings. That's how you shoot low. Good luck, you've got a lot of game and keep on the good work on this fantastic blog in your openminded fashion. Don't ever loose your humour!
Nick
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Matt
Alex, you are thinking far too much about your swing and feelings around the swing, when it is obvious that you're so talented (lucky you, not all the players on tour could say the same) that you don't need to do that. Go out there and shoot low scores!Think about that, instead of chasing the "right feeling" which by the way will never last for more than some shots until you get more critical about that feeling and will start chasing new feelings.
Don't be so swedish !! ... this is the main problem in swedish golf. Extremely talented players who waste their time on the swing instead of focusing on shooting low scores.
I'm expecting you to be top15 in the next tournament !
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Hicham LAHBABI
Alex,It was realy nice to see you play in Morocco.
You did a very good game especially friday on the blue cource but the chance was not on the red cource during some short put...
enjoy the city and hope to see you soon in Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
thanks for glove.
Hicham
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Johan
Hello Alex!Well played today!
Sounds like a very mature decision and I wish you all the best. Feels like Colin would be a good helping hand in this since he comes across as very calm and methodical.
Keep fighting and I am waiting to buy the Alex Noren/Hugo Boss shirt from my idol!!
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Paul M
Alex,We always think of you guys as being machines and just being able to go play and shot good scores etc So its refreshing to hear you be so honest about how you feel and your frustrations.
A few thoughts:
1. You have not played competitively for a number of weeks now. You clearly know there is a huge difference between playing / practising and tournament golf, having to hit the shot or make the putt when it matters.
I think after a few weeks of playing competitive rounds will see you improve and get match fit again. Its hard to see you not succedding with your work ethic.
2. I'm no expert but you do seem to change your swing thoughts / goals / plans regularly. You have touched on this in your post so I think you know what you need to do. I think you need to have goals, even if they are not that big a task, at least when you complete them its a positive step forward. But you need a consistant plan and stick to it. Remember the post you made on here about keeping it simple!
3. You do seems to think about your swing a lot? I have been guilty of that but I'm not a tour pro (even though my swing does look very good ;-)) so why not just go hit the ball, your clearly very very talented so just go play?
I look at your site everyday and think what a wondeful way to make a living! You will get there for sure so stay positive and remember were all cheering you on!
P
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Blom
Look at your video below and listen to mr Nicklaus. He is a wise man and I like what he says about practice during the competition. Then you will be a man with a plan!reply
Alex
Don't let it get to you. You have clearly got the talent and enthusiasm to compete at the highest level. I'm sure you will get it right very if you stay motivated and, as you say, maybe approach your practise routine in a slightly more structured way. Smash the rest of the year.Alex
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Börge
Looking forward to se you in Malaga. I will be there becase I live in Spain during winter. It will be nice to study yout swing in realty. Soon everything is on place and you are lucky again.reply
Paul
Hi Alex, you obviously did better today, well done!Do you know what I think would help you loads. A girlfriend! Honestly, I really believe having a girl to travel with you and stuff would relax you away from the course. Once you finish practice, you pay your attention to her, and take your mind off golf and you will find you will be more relaxed!
I mean.....look at Tiger....he had a girlfriend for every tournament hahaha!
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Gustav
Just a little question: what loft do you have on your driver?Good luck on the next tournament!
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Jan L
Good round today Alex, take that with you. I follow you every week on the blog and on the tour watching Viasat golf. Just be patient and your BIG success will come. You have the talent and you seem to work really really hard and motivated.Best /Jan from Stockholm
Ps. Tried out your tip with the toe of the club down when chipping from tight lies, worked great. Ds.
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Jona
Alex, it was good today, you seemed a little more relaxed. You must remember how much you have travel the past month.. not just country to country but continent to continent. It will catch up with you eventually.You have all the talent needed, you know you do as well. If you didn't you wouldn't have won last year en Switz.
My Coach always told me when i felt lost to go back to basics and spend one whole day just grinding those in again and if im not comfortable with shaping a certain shot to just hit it straight to a part of the green where i leave myself an opportunity for birdie.
Now obviously your level of play is so much more than me but relax, one shot at a time and enjoy it.
Try not to get mad. You live your life on European Tour, playing golf for money :) how good is life?
P.S. I know you're not a big music person but perhaps some music might relax you?
"Riceboy Sleeps - Boy 1904"
Jona