Lesson 4 of 5
What To Do
Some days you will not have your best stuff. The swing feels off, the putts lip out, and nothing comes easy. The players who score well over a season are the ones who grind out a decent number on those days instead of giving up on the round.
JJ watched his Ohio State players blame their swings after a tough finish and asked a simple question: if it were mechanical issues, how were they able to play 67 great holes? Bad days are mostly a mental test. Patience means trusting that your good golf will show up, even if it is late. Grit means doing the small things right while you wait.
How To Do It
Step 1: Break the round into six
Split 18 holes into six 3-hole stretches. Set a small goal for each one, like bogey or better on all three. A rough start only costs you one stretch, not the whole round.
Step 2: Find your B game plan
On days your swing is off, switch to safer targets and your go-to shot. Middle of the green, more club, fewer risks. Bogey is a good score when you are fighting it.
Step 3: Lean on your routine
Your routine is the one thing that stays the same no matter how you are hitting it. Keep it the same length. JJ's strategy is one routine, every shot. Consistency of process comes before consistency of ball flight.
Step 4: Do not fix your swing on the course
Tinkering with mechanics in the middle of a round makes it worse. JJ says players who constantly tinker with their mechanics are more likely to crumble under pressure. Play with what you have today and work on it at the range.
Step 5: Count the saves
Keep a count of good up and downs, two-putts from long range and bogeys that could have been doubles. Grit shows up in the saves, and seeing them builds confidence for the next stretch.
Everything you save here is stored in My Playbook.
When To Use It
- When you start the round poorly
- On days your swing just does not feel right
- When you feel like giving up on the round
Common Mistakes
- Writing off the round after a bad start
- Trying to fix your swing in the middle of a round
- Taking big risks to get shots back
- Speeding up your routine when you are frustrated
Practical Exercise
Patience Breath
Use this between holes on a tough day. Breathe in for 4 and accept today's game. Hold for 4. Breathe out for 4 and let go of the score so far. Hold for 4 and set the goal for your next 3 holes.
Pattern: 4-4-4-4 seconds, 2 cycles. The voice counts each second for you.
Ready
Takeaways
- Bad days are mostly a mental test
- Six 3-hole stretches, one goal each
- Have a B game plan ready
- One routine, every shot
- Count the saves, not just the mistakes
Reflect
Use It Next Round
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