Three Most Important Mental Tips For Better Golf

The mental side of golf can often be a forgotten aspect when trying to improve your golf game. It is true that the most important element of being a better golfer when first commencing, is the technical side. However, once you start being somewhat competent in your golf game, the mental side will become more prevalent. The mental side, I like to describe, is the 'icing' on top. Meaning perfecting your technique will only take you so far, improving your mental side will maximise your potential.

Now the first tip centres around the image you have of yourself as a golfer. For example, if you are someone who lives and dies over each shot, the image you have of yourself may be someone who never makes mistakes. However, with this image, it can only hinder your performance as you will never be able to just be in the flow and trusting your instincts. What I would advise you to do is actually write down exactly what golfer you would ideally like to be. For example, you may write down that this person doesn't care if he hits a bad shot, he just looks forward to the next one. This person engages in conversations with his playing partner. This person doesn't care if he shoots 75 or 95. This person just enjoys playing. If you have an identity where no matter what happens, you will enjoy the experience, then you will be far more likely to maximise your potential.

The next mental tip is designing patter interrupts. This is very common in NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). What I would often do is have 4 or 5 pattern interrupts that I would use if I was feeling pressure or wanted to change my negative state. These pattern interrupts should be silly things that make your laugh and that totally change your focus. For example, you could say things like 'why isn't the sky green' or 'why do men grow beards'. When saying these pattern interrupts, you will lessen the intensity of the situation and now be in a state of forming a new strategy of playing better golf.

The third tip is how you use your body which in turn affects your mental state. This is also widely talked about in NLP. You want to practice what state you need to put your body in that brings out your ideal mental state. Often times having your shoulders back and walking in a decisive way can immediately trick your mind into thinking that you're confident and ready for the next shot. Breath is also another important factor. Deep breaths can definitely help in slowing your heart rate down and hence being able to focus calmly under pressure.

If you'd like further help in understanding what ideal state you should be in, just contact myself at David Waters Golf located at Emerald Lakes Golf Coaching Centre.