Tip From the Archives

Love Golf

Problem

You love the game of golf. However, you rarely enjoy the game as you are playing a round.

Cure

Remember that golf is a game. You need to feel like you are playing a game that you really like in order to be relaxed and have a natural swing. It is very common for a player to arrive at the course with a score they want in mind. They then gauge their happiness on the course on how close they are achieving this goal. As soon as they get to a point of the round when the score is over par and it will be impossible to reach their goal, the game will become miserable.

Therapy

Do not allow yourself to become too serious or obsessed with just the results. Because when you do, you will be far less likely to actually enjoy this game. You want to be able to enjoy every phase of the next shot; including the planning of the shot, walking up to the ball, and hitting it. When you think about playing golf, what makes you happy about the game? Think about this tonight when you are lying on the couch or in bed. Try to visualize the details about the game that brings you joy so you can channel this euphoria when you are playing golf.

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13 votes

 
Andrew | 3 years ago, at the end of June

I totally agree...however pride doesn't allow me to accept a poor result. I certainly get too score focussed and feel pressure to remedy the problem while playing. That in turn creates more pressure and the results are usually worse. It's a vicious cycle and one that's hard to break. Bob Rotella dictates that we focus on one shot entirely and ignore results. On the rare occasions I've been able to do that I've had great scores....but switching off the need to be score focussed is the hardest thing I've dealt with in this game. After all that's how we measure ourselves and each other, right? No-one likes to admit to a bad score.

Tim Coleman | 3 years ago, at the end of June

For me, I applied progressive improvement as the primary goal. Basics and sound fundamental ball striking prohibit my my wandering score driven mentality. In other words if I'm in my head instead of simply relaxing and applying fundemental golf basics... I' toast for the rest of the round. Let's face it. In this pretty messed up world we live in You will never catch me whing over a poor shoot. Dude we have solders in Irac that may never have the privledge to make it back state side to play around permentally.... No Thumb sucking going on here

matt | 3 years ago, at the end of June

This is probably the biggest problem in golf. All of our golfing role models take the game extremely seriously. When you combine that with reading too much into what being a better golfer would mean to you and you have a major psychological event.

My best rounds have been as a result of working on my mental outlook from the minute I step into the car to drive to the course. Establish that playing well is the goal - and that playing well will equate to a good score. However, playing well is measured by hitting the ball how you visualize the shot, NOT the result of the shot. Too many variables mean that you cant control the outcome, but you can try and execute the shot as you see it.

anonymous | 3 years ago, at the end of June

They say golf is a mental game. Well, it's going to take all your mental strength to apply this tip! And thank you, matt, for your last comment about variables. That should help a lot of people.

Barry | 2 years ago, at the end of April

I had the privilege of golfing a round with a gentleman well into his 70's who taught me the best lesson I have ever learned in the game. I had been hitting terribly on the front nine, and not hiding any of my frustration. He mentioned that he used to react the same way until he discovered a technique that reconnected him to the sheer joy of the game. He would consciously make a point to smile at address and hold that smile through his swing until the ball landed. This was an ironclad rule that he obeyed no matter how poor his shot. I tried it and my back nine became a completely opposite experience to my front nine. Now, I smile on every shot, and the game is a pleasure.



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