The mental side of golf is as important as the physical portion. Golf is hard and too often we became mentally damaged from the game. It is easy to start seeing bad shots happen before you hit them. Once your confidence goes, even the greatest players in the game can look like a rank amateur.
We started playing this game to have fun. When I find myself not enjoying my golf, I always try to go back and approach the game with the idea that my score doesn’t matter. I visualize a great shot and go for it, without worrying about the results and without thinking about mechanics. As soon as you are afraid of hitting a bad shot, it becomes difficult to hit a good shot. Fear creates tension and anxiety, and pretty soon frustration replaces the fun, which creates more bad shots. In this situation, one bad shot can start a chain reaction leading to a downward spiral and self destruction. You need to forget about that last shot and focus on the next shot. These are the good mental habits that will help your game.
Building good mental habits takes practice, just as building a good golf swing does. Golfers should practice good mental habits on the golf course. Head out to the course once in awhile with the idea that you are not going to keep score. Play nine holes just focusing on having a great attitude and trying to hit great shots every time you get over the ball. This is not as easy as it sounds. We have trained ourselves to focus on the outcome (the score or the result of the shot) rather than the process. You may not be able to control the wind, course conditions, or what your partner shoots; you can, however, control your emotions and attitude. Practice having a great attitude on the golf course and you will have more fun, hit better golf shots, and end up shooting lower scores!
No comments:
Post a Comment