things have got to improve

Off to Switzerland this week and I’m well aware that after missing cuts at The Open, in Ireland and Scotland things have got to improve.

My mate Alan Smith, the Newcastle footballer who used to play for Manchester United has been on the phone to give me a bit of a gee up and I really appreciated that. Smudger has had his ups and downs in the game but always tries to look on the positive side.

He told me that if you are playing a sport you’ve loved since you are a kid you have to try and enjoy it and not get too uptight.

I think I have been guilty of that this season but when you keep getting yourself in good positions and then your putting let’s you down as has happened to me too often it can be difficult to stay optimistic.

I experimented with the belly putter last week and it was fine in practise but on the course it just wasn’t working. I scrapped it after my first round of 77 and would have got rid of it even earlier if I could.

The problem is a confidence one and if I can hole a few I think it will come right with the conventional putter.

There’s still plenty of tournaments left but I must start challenging again and quickly.

3 Responses to things have got to improve

Graham Wild says:

September 2, 2011 at 7:08 pm

congratulations on a fantastic round today.stay calm, no doubt lots of wee willetts rooting for you, thanks for helping the youngsters

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Monty the Owl says:

September 12, 2011 at 2:42 pm

Danny,
Sorry to see you struggling but remember, as they say, form is transitional class is permanent.
I’m the last person to give anyone advice, I’ve been playing golf 20 years and I haven’t got lower than 18; but – I remember when you had that good finish at Wentworth Peter Allis said something like “Danny needs to learn the value of a par”. It was after a particular shot when you ended up in a bunker behind the green. He was trying to say that sometimes you tried to force things more than you needed and got yourself into trouble on the course. Perhaps this is what is happening at the moment; you’re trying too hard. How you get round this I don’t know, as I said I’m no coach, but I hope you don’t mind me sharing the thought with you.
Remember you were the best amateur in the world, nobody achieves that without great ability. It’s in there somewhere and I’m sure you’ll find it soon. All the best for the rest of the season.

Monty – but not Colin.

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Davy Brydon says:

September 21, 2011 at 8:54 pm

Hi Danny kid, hope you enjoyed your two days at archerfield! really enjoyed caddying for you. i think you are an awesome player and having caddied for a few pro’s now by far the best i have been on the bag for. Stay positive m8 and all the very best for the rest of the season. Your striking is awesome and the putter will work. Just keep at it dude and if you ever need a caddie and Sam is unavailable then i would happily travel anywhere to help you out

Dazzler

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