Choking

LoJo · 08-14-2009, 06:13 PM

In another thread, there is a discussion about "choking" in golf.

To me, the word "choke" or "choker" is just awful. It implies some weakness that rears its ugly head at just the wrong moment with the player unable to handle the nerves and the pressure. Akkkkkk!!! I hate it when some announcer like Johnny Miller starts talking about a golfer choking it, because you can just feel the insides of the golfer and it's not a pretty feeling.

So.....whether you are a competitive golfer playing tournament golf, or a weekend hacker playing with your buddies for a coupla bucks on a Saturday morning....you have probably experienced a choke job yourself.

For those who aren't golfers, I'm sure there are instances in business or speaking in public or whatever...performance related issues....that have caused you to "gag it" under pressure.

What is your biggest choke? C'mon....let it out!

I'll start first....

Final round of the Club Championship and I have a 4 shot lead with 5 holes to play. The 14th hole has always been sort of a "nemesis" hole, and for some reason, I let that thought enter my mind.

After hitting the green in regulation, I was unfortunately around 50-60 feet from the hole. I four putted. Lead evaporated.

I was so rattled by that "choke" that I hit my tee shot on #15 out of bounds and took a double. Game over. Lost 6 shots in 2 holes and that's all she wrote. By the way....it hasn't happened again except now and then putting for a dollar and gagging it.

After that...I feel sick everytime I see a golfer choke. The latest being Tom Watson at the Open Championship. NOOOOOO!!!

gxer · 08-14-2009, 06:32 PM

Lojo,

I see that you and Wiesy have something in common, both of you are chokers with the lead and the win "almost" in hand.

LoJo · 08-14-2009, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by gxer

Lojo,

I see that you and Wiesy have something in common, both of you are chokers with the lead and the win "almost" in hand.

Me, Wiesy and lots of golfers, both pro and am. Part of the game.

How about you? You ever gagged one yourself?

MarinePaul · 08-14-2009, 08:15 PM

He choked when he called out a little girl in second grade and got his ass handed to him. He hasn't believed women should compete against men since.

heddwyn · 08-14-2009, 09:20 PM

Are you really expecting an answer, LoJo?

LoJo · 08-14-2009, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by heddwyn

Are you really expecting an answer, LoJo?

No, I"m not heddwyn.

I thought maybe those who toss around the "choke" word with derision would be man enough to acknowledge they actually know what it feels like to choke.

But...I guess not. Most people talk about others' choking as if it's some weakness to be made fun of.

It's been said that if one has never "choked" in golf, one has never really played the game.

I suppose that could be said of any game or of life in general.

Whistling Straight · 08-14-2009, 09:43 PM

LoJo, that was an awesome response!

greentee · 08-14-2009, 10:27 PM

.
Yes just like the word fear, we all have it from time to time, getting to know it and get over it is the trick.... or we never do get better. Tiger must have choked a few time to. I bet gxer has to. I sure have, too many times to count.

heddwyn · 08-15-2009, 07:09 PM

I think gxer choked at the thought of answering your question, LoJo. Conspicuously silent, huh?

Hotrod · 08-16-2009, 11:44 AM

heddwyn, you might have hit it on the nose...

08-14-2009, 06:32 PM	#2
gxer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,048	Lojo, I see that you and Wiesy have something in common, both of you are chokers with the lead and the win "almost" in hand. __________________ *My "dream" girl: LPGA seasonal tour stats <=65.50 & >=270*

08-14-2009, 06:36 PM	#3
LoJo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Golf Course Posts: 2,217 Images: 1	Originally Posted by gxer Lojo, I see that you and Wiesy have something in common, both of you are chokers with the lead and the win "almost" in hand. Me, Wiesy and lots of golfers, both pro and am. Part of the game. How about you? You ever gagged one yourself?

08-14-2009, 08:15 PM	#4
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 7,999	He choked when he called out a little girl in second grade and got his ass handed to him. He hasn't believed women should compete against men since. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

08-14-2009, 09:27 PM	#6
LoJo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Golf Course Posts: 2,217 Images: 1	Originally Posted by heddwyn Are you really expecting an answer, LoJo? No, I"m not heddwyn. I thought maybe those who toss around the "choke" word with derision would be man enough to acknowledge they actually know what it feels like to choke. But...I guess not. Most people talk about others' choking as if it's some weakness to be made fun of. It's been said that if one has never "choked" in golf, one has never really played the game. I suppose that could be said of any game or of life in general.

08-14-2009, 10:27 PM	#8
greentee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,484 Images: 4	. Yes just like the word fear, we all have it from time to time, getting to know it and get over it is the trick.... or we never do get better. Tiger must have choked a few time to. I bet gxer has to. I sure have, too many times to count. __________________ ... I am not a tree, I am a tee... hit me, ah... wait a minute...

08-14-2009, 06:13 PM	#1
LoJo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Golf Course Posts: 2,217 Images: 1	Choking In another thread, there is a discussion about "choking" in golf. To me, the word "choke" or "choker" is just awful. It implies some weakness that rears its ugly head at just the wrong moment with the player unable to handle the nerves and the pressure. Akkkkkk!!! I hate it when some announcer like Johnny Miller starts talking about a golfer choking it, because you can just feel the insides of the golfer and it's not a pretty feeling. So.....whether you are a competitive golfer playing tournament golf, or a weekend hacker playing with your buddies for a coupla bucks on a Saturday morning....you have probably experienced a choke job yourself. For those who aren't golfers, I'm sure there are instances in business or speaking in public or whatever...performance related issues....that have caused you to "gag it" under pressure. What is your biggest choke? C'mon....let it out! I'll start first.... Final round of the Club Championship and I have a 4 shot lead with 5 holes to play. The 14th hole has always been sort of a "nemesis" hole, and for some reason, I let that thought enter my mind. After hitting the green in regulation, I was unfortunately around 50-60 feet from the hole. I four putted. Lead evaporated. I was so rattled by that "choke" that I hit my tee shot on #15 out of bounds and took a double. Game over. Lost 6 shots in 2 holes and that's all she wrote. By the way....it hasn't happened again except now and then putting for a dollar and gagging it. After that...I feel sick everytime I see a golfer choke. The latest being Tom Watson at the Open Championship. NOOOOOO!!!

08-14-2009, 09:20 PM	#5
heddwyn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,380	Are you really expecting an answer, LoJo?

08-14-2009, 09:43 PM	#7
Whistling Straight Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 450	LoJo, that was an awesome response!

08-15-2009, 07:09 PM	#9
heddwyn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,380	I think gxer choked at the thought of answering your question, LoJo. Conspicuously silent, huh?

08-16-2009, 11:44 AM	#10
Hotrod Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 89	heddwyn, you might have hit it on the nose...

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