Bring the fun back...

A few things to try Kevin. Play a round of golf:1. from the red markers.2 play a round only with irons.3 play a round with only 4 clubs. The couse, I'm sure, will play differently .hitting different approach shots can sometimes make you focus more. It's like playing a different golf course

Go out and play with a bunch of golfers who have a much higher handicap than you who actually play for the fun of it. Amazing how your outlook will change. I entertain a group who work on a cruise ship from South Africa and Canada who very seldom ever get to play golf because of their work. A few times a month when their ship comes in I pick them up and take them to the municipal where I play. We play nine holes and have lunch. I met them when we went on a cruise (my wife works at the port in debark for a contractor of Carnival CL) in June. Learning to enjoy golf a little more myself. These guys get to relax, have fun, and eat at some of our local eateries. It is a win win for both of us. CZ =)

Go play a par 3 course, or go play with just 3 clubs. Playing with 3 clubs is a great way to rewire your brain. You're no longer thinking from the tee because you're basically hitting the same club on every single hole. Have fun hitting a 130 yard shot with a 5 iron.
I'm in the same boat, I have the yips with my driver. It sucks even typing that sentence out and staring at it. I'm an 8 handicap and my swing physically changes when I have a driver in my hand. I try to keep my head up, but the truth is my confidence is absolutely zero with that club. I played a par 3 course the other day with just 3 clubs and 3 friends. It was the most fun I've had on a golf course in a month.

Go play a par 3 course, or go play with just 3 clubs. Playing with 3 clubs is a great way to rewire your brain. You're no longer thinking from the tee because you're basically hitting the same club on every single hole. Have fun hitting a 130 yard shot with a 5 iron.
I'm in the same boat, I have the yips with my driver. It sucks even typing that sentence out and staring at it. I'm an 8 handicap and my swing physically changes when I have a driver in my hand. I try to keep my head up, but the truth is my confidence is absolutely zero with that club. I played a par 3 course the other day with just 3 clubs and 3 friends. It was the most fun I've had on a golf course in a month.

Stop focusing on the score and think about hitting shots. The score will just happen from there. Try to stop thinking about golf between shots, no need to focus until it is time to play the next shot.

If all else fails....consume larger quantities of your favorite adult beverage.

Welcome back..........

Just go to the course with ZERO.POINT.ZERO expectations.. If you're going with a few buddies, bring some music along (but be respectful of the other players on the course of course), joke around, maybe play a few fun games for some cash and have a drink or two pending you're legal to drink...

Maybe head to the range and do some target practice, have fun with it and mix it up...

In my own experience, my time on the golf course is my vacation away from home so I tend to enjoy every minute of it regardless if i play great or play like a**... And why do i enjoy it so much? The company and boys I play with.. Man we laugh the whole round and give each other s**t.. It's the best... And the 19th hole is even better...

Hey Kevin, I have two groups of golfing buddies. One is more serious while the other is more for fun. If I'm not enjoying the game or just not playing well for a stretch, I definitely give the fun group a call. Going out and not worrying about each shot, having a beer, & smoking a cigar is often the refresher I need.

The fun group also does more things to make it interesting. We often play additional holes after our 18 that are kind of ridiculous. We often bet ridiculous things (last week I won a pork loin haha), or play entire holes with one club only. Obviously this is not something most people will do but we all really enjoy it. We've played several holes with 3 woods only and it's crazy how much different you have to think and play. Last week when I did this with 3 other guys I went par birdie birdie par. Truthfully, I often times have scored just as well or better on a few holes vs "regular" golfing.

When I'm not relaxed and having fun I take a break for a week or two. I'll go back and usually hit up a 9 hole with 7 iron and putter. Then play my regular with no driver or 3 wood. What this does is changes up my game and makes me focus on being creative and having to execute.

On Mondays, I play a local Muni course with a group of friends. All summer the course does a Skins game for 9 holes at 3pm. We get 20-25 guys each Monday. $18 for the 9 hole skins with a cart, not bad!.. After the front 9 we stay out and get the back 9 in before dark. It's a fun day, but here's the FUN part. On the Par 5 18th we play "5 for 5". Each guy puts up $5 and you play the Par 5 with ONLY your 5 iron. That encludes putting. It really teaches you how to lay up to a number. We also occasionally will play the back 9 as a "Golfer Improvement Day". We'll hit shots from odd locations and distances to improve the bag. From under trees, over trees, force a fade or draw and putt with 2 balls to make a correction if you miss the first putt. I sometime get more out of a "GID" than a session at the range.