Okay, here's the deal...

I'm in my mid thirties, and I really have some anger issues. Mostly sports related. When I'm in a relationship, or one on one with a friend, I rarely get upset(not saying never, but not nearly as often as sports stuff)--if I disagree or have an argument, I'm way more calm and levelheaded.

I'm a very athletic guy, I used to play college football(until my ADD/LD got to much in the way:rolleyes: ), I also used to be very good in basketball, and recently stopped playing(last few years or so) because of knee issues.. it sucks getting old!:rolleyes: :) all you twenty somethings on here better enjoy the "young" years while you can! man, it would be so nice if I could still 360 dunk a b-ball! wow, did I get off topic! sorry....back to the originally scheduled program.....

anyway, my new "competitive" sport is golf. I have been playing on and off about 8 years or so(last two years I have become serious--10 handicap, but the last two months or so I can't break 90:eek: ). Well, I have a TERRIBLE temper on the course, its got to the point where I'm really embarrased... I act like I'm literally about 12 years old! cussing(which I don't do when I'm not playing sports), talking to myself--loudly, and even sometimes throwing my club:eek:... I HATE hitting bad shots, and when I do, I sometimes lose it. I know the other guys I play with think I'm a real headcase, but for some reason, I can't control my anger--I know ADD! I'm not medicated, and will not get on medication(have tried straterra, welbutrin, and one more) because medication didn't do anything, but make me feel weird:eyebrow: , plus my LD is my "main" disorder, which I have had, since getting diagnosed in the third grade... and as some of you know, Learning disabilities cannot be treated with medication.

I had friend who was a great golfer(actually looks a little like tiger woods),...anyway he has decided to end our "golf relationshiop", basically we were golf buddies and would play once or twice a week, then have some dinner afterwards. I'm not going to speculate on why he has decided not to call me anymore to play golf, but I have an idea--my temper!

when I get matched up with other golfers(I usually go out as a single), I start off great, good conversation, normal behavior--for the first 2-3 holes, then if I get a double, or make a bad shot, I KNOW I shouldn't have, I lose it! then that's the end of me talking to any of the other guys I'm playing with. I act like a 10 year old, with temper tantrums!:eek: after getting upset a few times, I'm actually a little scared to talk to them anymore, because I know they think I'm some ragging lunatic! :rolleyes: should I warn these people beforehand, that I can sometimes get upset? I know I sometimes worry about what people think to much, but at the same time, I don't want to come off as some; immature, bad attitude, a-hole!

Well, I posted this message to see if you other guys(women to can chime in--but only if your an athlete:D ) had any similar issues with sports/activities, or had any good ideas? btw, no counseling for the temper, I tried it, and it didn't work. Most psychologists are more screwed up than us Adders! why do you think they got into the profession--to find out what the heck is wrong with them! ;)

I'm super competitive, and also very hard on myself....since I have had sucess at other sports, I EXPECT to be good at golf(I know, I know, golf is one of the hardest sports), but its not working out like I would want it to..I really should be close to a scratch golfer, at this point in my life. I went out today and shot a 95!!! ahhhhhhh!!!:rolleyes: :mad: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Leadbetter, or Hank Haney, are you reading this!!!?!?!:D golfers will know who I'm talking about..hopefully, I made this post a little entertaining, since it was sooooo loooooong.

btw, I used the emotives, to help accentuate my points better...:)

guess there are no people with these "sports related anger issues"....I knew it! darn! :)
or maybe, their just isn't many ADD "athletes" here, which I had a feeling might be the case. It does seem a lot of people with mental disorders are not as athetically inclined as the "normals". Ummm???

Cameron, it sounds like golf isn't the real problem. {shrinks your head} Do you have a lot of other stress in your life... or are you normaly playing team sports? A lot of times when I have someone else depending on my shot in team sports, I get frustrated and angry and make stupid mistakes. I then beat myself up... and I do resort to episodes of cursing that would make a sailor smile.

I usually stop myself about a second before I toss a club or punch a wall. It almost makes my head explode... but I usually do restrain myself(probably because I broke my hand in one such episode about 10 years ago).

If it isn't some other stress causing the angry outbursts, then maybe you should take up some non-competetive sports. Your problem could be that you think that should be doing better than your opponents... and yet you aren't.

The thing is... you need to get to the root cause of the anger. I'll bet it truly doesn't have anything to do with a topped ball or a bad slice. Once you find the cause... you can work on fixing/dealing with the anger it causes.

I really don't know what I'm talking about... but I hope a new perspective helps:D.

Anywhoo