When we are in the heat of battle, things can often get a bit chaotic and often not go our way. Our expectation is smooth sailing, just like on the range. One good shot after another and no problems, a nice day out on the links! But how often do we get that? I would say almost never! There are always challenges to be faced and difficult situations to navigate.
This is where as golfers we must be focused on the things that lie within our control. Very easily said, however very difficult to achieve at times! When the weather is going against you, a player behind you makes a run of birdies and you get a bad bounce or a couple of nasty lip outs, it is very easy to let your mind wander and waste energy on things that are out of your control.
WHAT DOES A GOOD SHOT LOOK LIKE?
This is probably one of the most important phrases or tricks you will ever learn when it comes to staying present and focused on the golf course. Our brains are clever, too clever at times. But if you ask yourself a question, your brain will attempt to come up with an immediate answer. This is called "Rapid Cognition" or in simple terms..... Quick thinking! But this can be used both positively and negatively, so it is important to understand how you can use it to your advantage.
Consider this..... You are standing on the last hole with a one shot lead. It's a tight par 4 with water left and OB right. You are on the tee staring down this hole and you are flooded with thoughts........ "I need a good swing here"........... "Don't hit it right or you're out of the tournament".......... "Remember that left wrist thing from my last lesson"...........
What do you do?
You can't hide from those thoughts or ignore them, you will give them more power.... But what you can do is trick your brain. Ask it something that will give you a favourable answer "What does a good shot look like here?". Immediately you are grounded, and present with a picture of what that golf shot could and should look like. Now you are ready to pull the trigger.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
For most golfers we believe that "consistency is key to success". And if you do, in many ways you would be correct. But maybe not the ways that you think! Consistency of performance is a difficult thing to achieve because there are so many variables within golf. However consistency of routine is something that is fully within your control.
A great task for you to try is to note on your score card how many times you successfully ask yourself "What does a good shot look like" before each shot. For example if there is 18 holes you have 18 chances to gain a point. If you ask yourself this question for every shot on one specific hole then you get a tick. The question is how many ticks can you accumulate in 18 holes.
CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES
When you concentrate on the things you can control, like your pre-shot routine, concentration level, and mindset, you can create a more consistent performance. This consistency leads to better scores and improved overall play.
Remember that in golf, much like in life, there will always be external factors that you cannot control. Learning to accept and focus on what you can influence is a powerful mindset that can positively impact your performance and overall experience on the golf course. By adopting this approach, you can become a more resilient, skillful, and mindful golfer.
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