A Bounce Back

I mentioned in my last post that I was reading a new book. One of my goals this season is to focus on my mental game, my inner game. So I started reading The Inner Game of Tennis and immediately started putting what the author was discussing to work for me.

One of my personal issues with disc golf is how awkward the backhand form feels. Learning the technique, getting coaching sessions, watching videos on IG or YouTube- all everyone talks about is proper form. But the author goes into detail about how someone else's form may not be right for you. He specifically discusses how the change from the old way of serving in tennis (down together, up together) morphed into the current form, which resulted in more power. And it took people stepping outside that norm and doing their own thing- either because the norm didn't work for them or because they just wanted to try new things.

This part of the book really resonated with me. I grew up playing tennis and although I learned what the proper form for serving was, I did my own thing. I had so many coaches try to get me to change my serve but I got power and consistency with what I was doing so I refused to change. Why can't I do the same with disc golf?

The author also delves into how we learn as adults and how that process may be flawed. We need to let our bodies dictate what works for us simply through trial & error. Keeping those things in mind I did a couple field work sessions and by the end of it my form changed, and I'm ok with that. [I would say I'm happy with that, but another tenet of the book is non-judgemental observation. I'm working on that one, too.] Each time I play disc golf my form will probably change on its own because my body will make constant adjustments. The goal is to not force my body into one set thing or set of things.

Bond Lake Open

Keeping these new ideas & ways of thinking in mind, I played my next tournament- the Bond Lake Open. I walked into the tournament with a new frame of mind and a focus on having fun. That was, after all, why I started playing disc golf!

The weather for half of the first round was pretty rough. About two or three minutes before our round one tee time, the skies opened up and it started pouring. Luckily, my practice round a few days prior to the tournament was also in the rain so I felt pretty comfortable with my routine of drying discs off, keeping my throwing hand drier, carrying the umbrella, etc. I found several bogeys in the round, and a couple doubles, but also snagged a couple birdies. Most of my bogeys were due to poor disc selection or shot selection on my part- completely preventable.

By the time we teed off for the second round I found myself in third place which I was pretty surprised at. The vibe on our card was a little tense at times, and I had to take myself away from some players who were being overly negative and complaining constantly. I'm sure you've all played with someone like that. It's not fun. I started walking by myself, focused on my breathing, and just enjoyed the scenery and beauty of the park we were in.

Unfortunately, I shot a few strokes worse the second round than the first- again, many preventable mistakes. But I knew what went wrong on almost every shot or missed putt. Despite missing a cash spot by two strokes I was still proud of how I played and handled myself during the day- it felt like a win to me!

I've since finished reading The Inner Game of Tennis and started reading another similar book. Each time I go out to play disc golf I try to put what I'm reading to work for me. Some days it works and some days it's a struggle, but it's part of the process.

This weekend I have two Women's Global Events- one put on by my local club and one about 90 minutes away in Rochester. My goals are to have fun, let my body figure each shot on its own without my brain telling it how to do it, and be non-judgemental- stay neutral!

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