Playing the Mental Game

• Posted on Grant
• in Golf Fundamentals, The Mental Game
• on December 16, 2011
• 3 Comments.

How do you approach a round of golf? Does your attitude after the round is over depend on on how you scored? I remember when I first started playing professional golf, I would live and die by each round’s score.  If it was a bad scoring day, I would leave the course feeling like I had been run over by a bus! However, through a long, gradual process of practice and study on the mental game of golf, I now finish my rounds in a good frame of mind, no matter if I shoot a 67 or a 77.

A common misconception about the mental game is: “You either have it or you don’t”. This statement could not be farther from the truth!  The mental game is just like the physical game; you have to practice the mental game to achieve the results you want.

How to Practice the Mental Game

I attribute the following three steps to my mental game development.

1. Develop the same routine for every shot:  The main goal of your routine should be to heighten your focus the same amount for every golf  shot. Therefore, it makes sense that you want the same routine so that you will have a better opportunity to focus the same amount on every shot.

2. Staying committed to your routine: During your next round of golf, keep a mental score along with your physical score. The mental score is based on the number of shots that are struck with total commitment. After each hole, write down the number of committed shots vs. non-committed shots. Example: If you had five shots on the first hole, but were only totally committed to three of them, you would write down 3/5 for the first hole. At the end of the round you will be able to see the percentage of shots that were struck with total commitment.

3. Improve a little every day: For example let’s just say your first mental score was 40%. For your next round, an achievable goal would be 45%. By improving your focus a little every round, you can improve your score without the worry and pressure that comes with thinking about results.

Since I started working on my mental game three years ago,  my scoring average has improved steadily. Concentrating on your mental score is a fun way to get your mind focused on what really matters during a round of golf. This allows you to reach your true golfing potential instead of worrying about the number on the scorecard or your last bad shot.

I would love to hear feedback if this helps you like it helped me. Also, I recommend reading Golf’s Sacred Journey by David L. Cook.

GB