Improve Your Mental Golf Game

Golf is a very challenging sport, or hobby if you prefer. How many of us are searching for the better golf swing through tips and instructional aids; or trying to get better by taking golf lessons or by buying the newest and greatest equipment? Yet we neglect the most important aspect of the golf game; the mental golf game. If you truly want to play better, more consistent, golf you have to improve your mental golf game.

I often hear golfers say, "I have too many swing thoughts going through my head! I don't know what to think about!" Sound familiar? The more you try to over-think the golf swing the worse it turns out. Usually when you're not thinking about anything you hit the best shot of the day.

Once you recognize how important the mental golf game is you will see a dramatic improvement in your score and overall play. Make a goal for your golf season. Do you want to break a certain score? Are you trying to compete in the local club championship? Are you trying to finally beat your playing partner? Whatever it may be, set a goal and focus your mind on that goal each time you play. By having this focus you will already be on the path to improve your mental golf game.

How do you improve your mental golf game? All you need is a balanced approach and a few foundations; coupled with your golf swing, you can and will achieve your golf goals. Here are my foundational thoughts to improve your mental golf game (by the way, these also work in other aspects of your life; business, family, school, etc.):

Hard work = Practice what you have learned until you can do it 'in your sleep' - unconscious competence.
Strong Mind = Believe in your swing and don't 'think' yourself out of shots, visualize the shot you want to play and do it!
Aim high = See yourself as a winner! People by and large become what they think about themselves. If you're a 20-handicap try to break 80, not just 90!
Planning = Have a specific game plan, know the exact target and the exact club selection without second guessing yourself!
Bounce back from failure = Don't let the way you play in the first few holes determine your round. Don't let one bad shot ruin the next five.
Monitor your thinking = Forget the bad shots and dwell on the good ones! Don't think about your playing partners bad shot and 'hope' you don't do the same thing.
Choose to think positively = "Winners and losers are self-determined, but only the winners are willing to admit it" (John Wooden).

There are many, many other ways to improve your mental golf game but I hope at least you are now thinking about improving yours, or maybe it's something you've never thought of doing for your golf game, now is the time.  I've never heard of someone playing worse after implementing a positive mental approach to their golf game. For more information and to get started today go to...Golf Between the Ears!