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Improving the mental part of golf
Posted on 8/12/22 at 3:33 pm
Posted on 8/12/22 at 3:33 pm
I believe more than most sports I’ve played golf is very much a mental sport. I know I’ve often held back my game mentally because every time I finally accomplished something for the first time (first eagle, first time breaking 80, etc.) it became much easier to repeat the accomplishment over and over. Before achieving each accomplishment I would put too much pressure on myself when I had an opportunity until I finally got over the mental hurdle and then repeating became easier.
Are there any books, you tube videos, practices, etc. you have found to improve the mental part of your golf game.
Are there any books, you tube videos, practices, etc. you have found to improve the mental part of your golf game.
This post was edited on 8/12/22 at 3:48 pm
11
Posted on 8/12/22 at 4:53 pm to TigerBR1111
I have always had a goal of 3 birdies per round.
Don't always get there, but it easier on me than trying to play to a certain score.
3 birdies wipes out 3 bogeys and that give you pars on a 1/3 of the course.
Most golfers forget that hydration and nutrition play a huge part in the mental process. I try to keep nutrition bars in my bag and always have a thermos of diet lemonade in the cart.
Because of the heat right now, I put 2 frozen bottles of water in the bag as well since I play during the week only and beverage carts are not always available.
Don't always get there, but it easier on me than trying to play to a certain score.
3 birdies wipes out 3 bogeys and that give you pars on a 1/3 of the course.
Most golfers forget that hydration and nutrition play a huge part in the mental process. I try to keep nutrition bars in my bag and always have a thermos of diet lemonade in the cart.
Because of the heat right now, I put 2 frozen bottles of water in the bag as well since I play during the week only and beverage carts are not always available.
Posted on 8/12/22 at 5:47 pm to TigerBR1111
YouTube golf sidekick
Posted on 8/12/22 at 6:03 pm to TigerBR1111
Play with people that are better than you. For money.
Posted on 8/12/22 at 9:00 pm to Tyga Woods
quote:
Play with people that are better than you. For money.
Have to agree with this. I got a lot better once I started playing in every tournament I could sign up for at my club. You learn real quick that you don’t have time for swing thoughts or having a perfect swing. You start figuring out ways to get that ball in the hole as quickly as possible no matter how it looks.
Posted on 8/12/22 at 9:31 pm to TigerBR1111
Others will have better advice on the purely mental side of the game than I do, but I can’t emphasize enough the physical inputs into mental strength on the golf course.
A lithe, strong, flexible body + endurance + nutrition + hydration + a good night’s sleep makes a massive difference in your ability to focus, make good decisions, and last the entire round. That’s especially true in the summer and even more true over a multi-day event (boy’s trip or club tournament or whatever).
A lithe, strong, flexible body + endurance + nutrition + hydration + a good night’s sleep makes a massive difference in your ability to focus, make good decisions, and last the entire round. That’s especially true in the summer and even more true over a multi-day event (boy’s trip or club tournament or whatever).
Posted on 8/12/22 at 10:39 pm to TigerBR1111
Hal Sutton and Paul Azinger read this down at the start of this podcast. A zinger talks a lot about having self belief and confidence. It is pretty interesting the way these guys thought.
Youtube
Youtube
Posted on 8/12/22 at 11:52 pm to TigerBR1111
I love the book Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Rotella.
I also like the Imagine Golf app. It has lots of bite sized info that I have added to my mental approach.
Also, one of the things I have allowed myself the last couple years is that I can get angry and let it out, but I cannot get negative.
I also take time to enjoy the good shots or putts when I make them. It helps breed a confident attitude on the course.
I also like the Imagine Golf app. It has lots of bite sized info that I have added to my mental approach.
Also, one of the things I have allowed myself the last couple years is that I can get angry and let it out, but I cannot get negative.
I also take time to enjoy the good shots or putts when I make them. It helps breed a confident attitude on the course.
Posted on 8/13/22 at 5:51 am to TigerBR1111
1. Understand your skill level, and select a shot you can execute 80% of the time with success.
2. Know your yardages. Some people overestimate their distances. I hit a 9 iron 115 {maybe 125 on a pure strike, but I don’t strike it pure every time).
3. Pay attention to the green complex. Read the slope. Look at the hole and see the burn. Find the grain.
4. Make a good swing, pitch, chip, or putt, and accept the results. Most putts outside of 6 feet are missed. Even a good stroke can miss the hole from 8 feet for highly skilled pros.
5. Do not compound misses. Get back to the golf course. Manage the game where you give yourself a putt for par. Take double out of the equation. Less doubles is the key to improvement.
6. Understand that your best golf is 1/3 to 1/4 of your last 20 rounds. Your index is better than your average. Your worst golf is part of the game as well. Try to make your worst golf better through practice (putting, chipping, pitching).
7. Enjoy a good shot or even good luck.
Posted on 8/13/22 at 5:53 am to jmtigers
quote:
YouTube golf sidekick
“Hello, boyfriends”
Posted on 8/13/22 at 10:33 am to TigerBR1111
I always struggled with the mental side too. One thing I will say is don’t convince yourself you have to play perfect to meet your goals. Once you do that, every bogey puts more and more pressure on yourself. Especially if you start off with a few early bogeys or a double out of the gate.
When I would play against people at my level or better, I would start to doubt and put way to much pressure on myself. On the other hand, I had this one guy I used to work with who would run his mouth about being better than me, but we had never played together. I knew I was better then him and, when we finally did play, I played with an attitude and was as confident as ever. I beat the hell out of him and shot my best round ever. I knew I was going to beat him so I didn’t fear the bad shot and was laser focused on the pin.
When I would play against people at my level or better, I would start to doubt and put way to much pressure on myself. On the other hand, I had this one guy I used to work with who would run his mouth about being better than me, but we had never played together. I knew I was better then him and, when we finally did play, I played with an attitude and was as confident as ever. I beat the hell out of him and shot my best round ever. I knew I was going to beat him so I didn’t fear the bad shot and was laser focused on the pin.
Posted on 8/13/22 at 2:37 pm to KingofthePoint
I agree with this.
Every time I make a bogey where I start to think I “deserved” a par, I just tell myself I’ll par a hole later despite multiple bad shots on that hole.
Every time I make a bogey where I start to think I “deserved” a par, I just tell myself I’ll par a hole later despite multiple bad shots on that hole.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 8:24 am to makersmark1
quote:
makersmark1
You give some pretty good advice and I’ll add a few things to it.
1. If you are a double digit handicapper you should walk up to every tee box assuming you’ll make birdie and get upset if you don’t
2. Bad shots and mistakes are rarely your fault, usually you can blame the course. Shank a shot out of play? Any reputable course would’ve had trees to kick that back into play but not this fricking goat ranch you are paying too much to play. Miss an easy putt? The goddamn Mickey Mouse set up at this POS course is a joke, tour players don’t put up with this crap and neither should you.
3. Make sure to show emotion when you have a blowup hole. Keeping frustration pent up can be dangerous for your score, let it out by shouting at your playing partners for casting a shadow or walking in your line, take a wedge to the green and leave a hole so the next group knows how unlucky you are, don’t be afraid to helicopter a putter or snap a wedge over your knee in extreme cases. All of these are healthy things you can do to vent frustration and get yourself laser focused on achieving your best score.
4. Show excitement when you do something well. People like to say they are celebrating like they just won the Masters, but that is way too reserved. When you do something well celebrate like you are John Daly after winning a $100 Nassau at a charity event with an open bar.
4. Talk trash to you’re playing partners, make snide comments right before they swing, offer free tips on the tee box, question their integrity when they report a score.
5. Cheat as much as possible, there are no rules officials on your round, it’s your word verse your partner‘s word, and he’s a little bitch. Fluff up your lies, kick the ball out of hazards, ignore white stakes. Most importantly of all is give yourself any part you miss inside 5 feet, you only missed it because the course is bullshite anyway. Also never fix a divot on the green, do you want to show the rest of the course that you stuck it close
6. Finally, make sure you act like a pompous arse to the cart girl. Creepily flirt with her to the point where she is uncomfortable, take at least 15 minutes ordering yourself drinks so the people behind you know you are a baller, and never tipped more than a few dollars, you don’t want to appear needy.
Good luck
Posted on 8/15/22 at 8:30 am to TigerBR1111
Understanding the numbers makes the mental part of the game much easier.
I see dudes getting pissed that they are missing 12 foot putts or missing greens from 190 yards.
Pro's make 50% of their putts from 8 feet. A 6 handicap shouldn't expect to go 3/5 from 12 feet in a round, but I've seen plenty of guys get on tilt acting like they are getting screwed.
I see dudes getting pissed that they are missing 12 foot putts or missing greens from 190 yards.
Pro's make 50% of their putts from 8 feet. A 6 handicap shouldn't expect to go 3/5 from 12 feet in a round, but I've seen plenty of guys get on tilt acting like they are getting screwed.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:32 am to TigerBR1111
Imagine Golf App is available. I’ve only heard it advertised. Have no personal experience with it.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:40 am to TigerBR1111
I've enjoyed the Par Train podcast. The guys themselves are ok, but the people they interview are usually great.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 2:44 pm to makersmark1
quote:
Less doubles is the key to improvement.
So damn true.
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