Golf and the Inner Demons

Golf, above all other sports is a mental, mind over matter game. Golf is man against himself. The percentage of the mental part of golf increases as your physical skills improve, until you reach the tournament touring professional. At this stage most (around 90% )of the game is mental.

Understanding your game.

The best golfers in the world know where they want the ball to go, when they hit it. They have a stock shot to hit under pressure whether a high fade or a low draw. Tiger Woods will often use his punch long iron off the tee in tight situations.

You must know your own limitations and play the shots you can hit with confidence during a round and under pressure. These shots will help to quiet your mind (by this I mean the negative thoughts your mind throws up are at a minimum). Play within your own limitations.

Knowing your limitations does not mean not be confident, always be confident and play in the "now" , don't play your golf on what has happened or what could happen. Always believe you are the best at your level in any tournament.

Luck.

You have to understand that golf also has a large element of luck , the good and bad will level out over a period of time so don't just focus on your unlucky breaks. Remember the times you have been lucky . You have to except that the ball only goes and finishes where you want on very few occasions. Ben Hogan said he only expected to hit six shots each round the way he wanted to. This leaves lots of room for luck to play a role. Except the bad and embrace the good luck.

Focus.

With most sports it is very hard to concentrate for the whole game. In golf you should switch off between shots and a good idea is to take in the environment. It sounds a bit wishy washy but look at the hills, trees, wildlife or anything pleasant about the setting. If you want have a talk to your opponent about non-golf stuff. You can only talk to them if they are "talkers" if they are not, just go back to taking in your surroundings.

All of this will help you relax. As you approach your ball it is time to take in the surroundings with regards to your next shot the lie of the ball, the wind, the green you are hitting to, or the putt you have to make. Once you reach your ball you then turn back on fully and visualize the shot to hit, the club to hit, then pull the club, think about one or two key thoughts and fire.

Never be indecisive decide on the sort of shot and hit it. Nothing good can come of not committing to a shot. If you have to hit it over a lake, pick the club, if you are not sure, hit the one that will definitely put you over the lake and hit it with confidence. Don't think off what might happen or that last time you were here you hit it in the lake (only think of the past over the shot if you hit a great shot last time you were in this situation).

The worst that can happen is a ball in water (not the end of the world). When you trust your swing your mind should turn off and all your practice and muscle memory takes over. Think of it like, as and adult when you walk you don't think about taking each step or what might happen eg: twisting an ankle, you just walk without any active thought. This is what the golf swing should become.

A bad start.

Never give up after a bad start. Most young players give their round away after a bad start. You cannot win a golf tournament from the first few holes. You might birdie the last five, always stay positive. Even if it does not come right, you have learnt to hold it together and not embarrass yourself, by being a "I don't want to play now" spitting dummy type, that no one likes.

You may surprise yourself and get to tell the story of how you started with three double bogies and played the last 15 in even par.

This is invaluable training for your mental toughness.

Be committed, confident, stay in the"now" swing away and except what the gods of golf throw at you.