Playing great golf is fun, but it almost never lasts. Eventually, you will find yourself in a slump where nothing feels like it is going your way.
Some players will spend hours on the range practicing and ensuring they work out all the little details of their swing; others will get frustrated and take a few weeks off.
If you have found yourself in the middle of a golf slump, here are 5 psychological tricks that could help you reevaluate your game and make some progress.
Switch to Short Game Practice
Short game practice can almost always get you out of a slump.
Instead of going to the driving range and focusing on your full swing and your mechanics, switch things up to just the short game for now.
Work on your chipping, pitching, and putting only.
Focusing on these areas will never hurt your golf game, but it will switch your mental focus, improving your confidence.
Sometimes, that’s all it takes to get out of the slump.
Play a Different Sport for a Few Days
Sometimes, it helps to take a break from golf and play another sport.
This may seem strange, but it’s not. You’ll still be moving your body and working on movement and agility, and it could be what helps you get out of your slump.
Some of the best sports to choose from include tennis and swimming.
This will give you both a mental and physical reset.
Don’t Keep Score for a Few Rounds
Keeping score adds a lot of pressure.
When you are in a slump, the added pressure from keeping score can worsen it.
Play a few rounds of golf, and you will be out there just to enjoy the game. You can swing more naturally and focus on hitting great golf shots.
If you are able to do this, then start playing a few rounds and keeping score again. Focus on the experience and refine your technique, but don’t worry about your handicap for a little while. It may be all you need to get your game back on track.
Only Count Putts
If you feel the need to keep track of some type of score while you are on the course, try focusing only on your putting. You can help reduce overall pressure, and you’ll still be keeping track of a vital aspect of your game.
Count only your putts for a few rounds.
Narrowing down your focus can make you look at your game in an entirely different light.
Work on keeping it under 30 putts and then try and get under 25.
Set goals for yourself and narrow down the number of putts you take.
Visualize Successful Shots
Finally, make sure you are thinking about positive things rather than negative things. When you get into a golf slump, it’s easy to focus on the bad things in your game.
Instead, work on visualizing each shot and expecting a positive outcome. See the ball flight and picture it going high and straight towards your target.
Many golfers forget to visualize a great swing. One in which you finish in balance with the club held high, you will want to be stable and strong in the swing you visualize.
This visualization work takes practice but can help create positive mental imagery, reduce anxiety, and improve performance.
Final Thoughts
At this point, you at least have some ideas that you can take with you to help you recover from your golf slump.
These tricks will help you get your mind in the right place, think clearly about your game and where you need the most help, and hopefully get you back on track.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little confidence in the weakest area of your game to finally feel like you can get back to yourself.
