As every golfer improves, their desire to play better grows. Through my golf journey, I experienced many peaks, valleys and plateaus in my game. I think this is normal for any athlete who wants to improve in their selected sport. Golf is no different or is it. I find that my desire or passion to improve is never satisfied. I always think and know I could have shot better even when I broke par. I always felt that I left a few strokes on the course and that my score could have been better. This desire can be a challenge, mentally, for many players as it was for me in my early years!
Continue readingmental challenges
Fighting A Tough Golf Swing
From time to time I have a challenge with my golf swing. It suddenly shows up mostly because I forget to stay focused. I feel like I am all over the place and no matter what I try I cannot get comfortable over the ball. It is a failing of mine, but over the years of struggling, I found a solution that works for my game. Sometimes I can regain my swing quickly and others it takes a few holes. Regardless, I can reset my swing but there is one thing that I have to do first and it is a must!
Continue readingWinning In Golf Is A Matter Of Inches
The smallest margins have a tremendous impact on our golf results. That certain par can turn into a quick double through a missed putt that causes us to mentally break down. That sudden appearance of a shank instantly makes us worry about our next shot. Hitting something on the fairway that shoots our ball into the rough or worse is not uncommon. Hitting the top of a cart post in front of the green and finishing 25 feet from the pin with a putt for eagle happens. The above examples of how inches make a difference in our score are some of the many real life scenarios I experience on the links over the years. It is crazy how such small margins, good or bad, can happen at anytime. I have often wondered if their is a way to prevent the unknowns from having an influence in my game…..have you?
Golf is considered a game of inches including the six inches of real estate between our ears. Regardless of what is happening on the course, the thoughts generated while on the links is by far the most important aspect of our game that we need to control. Everyone experiences a good or poor bounce from time to time. It is how we react that makes the greatest impact on our score.
After experiencing many highs and lows while chasing a little white ball for a few hours, I can say without hesitation that how I mentally react to each shot is important. I do allow myself to be relish the good shots longer than poor ones, but that is one of my keys to success. I try to build on a great shot or lucky bounce in order to sustain a positive attitude. A poor shot or bounce receives a different response.
I try very hard to immediately forget a poor bounce or shot. I find that when the inches are against me, I need to focus on playing well and the next shot. I try to forget (notice I said the word try 😉 ) the poor result and work on how I can change my fortune. Most of the time I hit a solid next shot and carry on. I try not to let my past performance affect my future results. It really is a mental challenge sometimes, but one that all good golfers face while on the links.
Good golf is as much a mental exercise as physical. Over the years, many experiences (on and off the links) have shaped my mental approach to golf. I feel that I am mentally strong when playing and very few things affect how I think. This does not mean that I do not experience frustration from time to time, but it rarely stays in my mind for long. This approach is a learned thing, but it all starts with a decision to not let my mind be bogged down with negative thoughts. Golf really is a game of inches.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Taking A Few Weeks Off From Golf
After reading the golf news of Rory McIlroy taking a few weeks off from golf to reset things in his life, I wonder if many of you ever feel the same way. Personally, if Rory needs to step away for his mental health, then I fully support him doing so. There is no sense completely burning himself out. As I tell the athletes I coached over the years, with respect to injury and mental challenges – I would rather lose you for a day than a week, a week than a month, or a month than the entire season. Taking care of ourselves (on all levels) is very important. Knowing this, have you ever stopped playing for awhile just for a rest?
Continue readingThree Golf Tournaments In Three Days
Today starts the day of three (potentially four) rounds of golf in tournaments. It will be a very busy week, but great fun as well. Unfortunately the three booked are scrambles with the potential of the potentially fourth round being match play. The rounds will all be a different courses and with different players. So, lots of golf with great friends is in my future starting today. Being matched with a variety of players, it will be challenging to keep my strategy in check because each player brings something different to the table.
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The Grateful Golfer 