Many of us rush to the golf course to partake in a 4.5 hour sprint around the links. It is almost a ritual for many players to arrive a few minutes before their tee time and hurry around the parking lot gathering their stuff in order not to be late. If this sounds familiar, then you are likely hurting your golf game from the moment you sit in your car and head to the golf course. This rushing around causes more harm to your golf game then you can imagine and it is all because you forget to focus on the real reason you loop the links. Lack of focus is contagious and it costs your strokes during every round. It is time to stop this trend if you are ever planning to lower your golf scores.

Lack of focus is a challenge for most amateurs. It is difficult to remain in the moment for 4.5 hours with so much ‘life things’ going on. Work, family, electronics, traffic congestion, life challenges, etc all contribute to the lack of focus on and off the golf course. It is a challenge to be mindful and in the moment with so much going on for most people. I definitely experienced the stressors of living, however, I found a way to limit the impact of all these focus suckers. It is simple and helps (almost all the time) to keep me focused for a few seconds at a time while playing. Just long enough to make a golf shot.

I actually have two techniques I use regularly. They are simple and easily repeatable. The first (which I have talked about a great deal) is using my pre-shot routine. I find that if I use my pre-shot routine all the time, I carve out about 15 to 20 seconds of focus time in order to make the golf shot I want. It works all the time with respect to focus and helps me make many intended shots. A solid pre-shot routine is a must and if you do not have one, I recommend you get one. It is definitely a stroke saver.

The second method I like to use is visualization. It is a simple technique that takes a few seconds at the beginning of my pre-shot routine. I have made the distinction because they are different actions. Visualization is pure mental and my pre-shot routine is more physical. I definitely try to visualize all aspects of my golf shot from contact to ball flight to landing area. It is quick, simple and easily replicated.

Regaining your focus on the golf course is incredibly important. Using a pre-shot routine and visualization are two powerful tools that every golfer, regardless of skill level, can use with great success. It is a matter of being consistent when applying these tools. They work to keep me focused on the golf course and I think they will work for you as well.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!