It’s the Middle of Summer and The Sun Is Blazing. You’re out On the Golf Course, Trying to Beat Your Best Score. but No Matter how Hard You Try, You Can’t Seem to Get Your Swing Right. You Keep Overthrowing the Ball or Hitting It Into the Sand Traps. What’s Going On?
It could be that you’re putting too much pressure on yourself to succeed. When we start to focus on our results instead of our process, things tend to go downhill fast. In order to play your best golf, you need to trust your swing and forget about everything else. Stay loose, keep your head still, and swing through the ball-and forget about your last shot!
Golf is a demanding game, requiring concentration and focus. But there are more ways to improve your mental game than just playing better.
Is Golf a Thinking Game?
Playing golf has been my passion for over a decade. There’s nothing I love more than stepping onto the tee box and feeling free as a bird. But golf has taught me some lessons that have improved every aspect of my life, including how to manage my golf swing thoughts.
As a beginner golfer, I cared a lot about the results. Since I am competitive in sports, I wanted to win, of course! This desire to win can lead to too much thinking during your swing and cause you to become tense and tight. The key is to relax and focus on your fundamentals. Trust that they will produce the desired outcome-and forget about everything else!
There is no better way to overcome multiple swing thoughts than practice, practice, practice. Whether it is a driving range or golf course, the more you play golf, the less you will focus on your results, and the more you will be able to enjoy your game.
What Do You Think About During Golf Swing?
Golf is a game of mental fortitude, so it’s no surprise that “thinking” your way around the course can have a serious impact on your score. If you’re trying to keep track of too many moving parts, it’s impossible for your mind to prioritize what needs attention most.
“Trying to do too much” is a recipe for disaster. If you’ve ever noticed that your short game has gone to hell after an hour of struggling with your full swing, you know what I’m talking about.
The mental game starts before you even hit the course. I personally try to avoid thinking of my swing at all. The last thing I want to do is get in my own head and start second-guessing every move I make.
If I practice focusing on my basic fundamentals, I know I’ll hit the ball solid–and that’s all I need to worry about. When you trust your swing, you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to score.
How Do I Stop Overthinking in Golf?
When it comes to simple feelings such as confidence, trust is everything. Golfers who are confident trust their swing to get the job done. If you lose this confidence, it’s almost impossible to regain momentum.
You need to get into the mindset that you are going out there to play your best game, not to be perfect. If you make an errant shot, don’t worry about it too much. You are playing golf to have fun, not to win every hole!
I recommend thinking about your golf swing as little as possible. If you want to play great golf, you need to forget everything else and focus on that little white ball. Stay loose, keep your head still and swing through the ball-and forget about everything else!
Should You Think During a Golf Swing?
Our subconscious mind is very powerful, but it can’t concentrate on both the swing and what’s going on in our head. This is why you should focus your energy on the golf swing, not the result.
If you’re overthinking about your score or how far you hit each shot, then that’s what you are going to get. By staying in the moment and focusing on your swing, you’ll be much more consistent in your game.
Remember that the most important thing is to have fun! Don’t get caught up in the result. Many golfers get down on themselves when they don’t play to the best of their ability, but you can’t make a bad shot any less of a bad shot just by complaining about it.
How Do I Fix My Mental Golf Game?
This can be very individual, but there are a few ways to find what works best for you. There’s no denying that most successful athletes have amazing mental strength, which is why it’s very important to boost your mental game.
One way to get started is by removing all swing thoughts before you take the course. When you try to do too much during your swing, it can lead to disastrous results. Instead, focus on your basic fundamentals and trust that they will produce the desired outcome. Below are my favorite mental golf tips which helped me getting better at golf.
Repetition
The key to success is to practice, practice, and then (you guessed it) practice some more! The mechanics of a golf swing are fairly simple, but you can’t forget that it takes time to perfect your skills. Once you have drilled the basics into your mind, you’ll find that you have a much easier time searching for a mental state of “trusting” rather than focusing on any negative thoughts.
Stay Focused – Be present
I often forget how much my mood can affect my game. If you are stressed, anxious or upset, it’s going to be hard to play at your best.
Before you go out on the course, I recommend focusing on the present and clearing your mind of everything else. If you feel like you can’t stay focused, then try some meditation or deep breathing.
Staying calm is key to success on the golf course, so take a few minutes to clear your mind before you take your first swing.
Forget your Bad Shots
Most of us golf beginners are hard on ourselves when we make mistakes. But what good does it do to dwell on your bad shots? You need to learn how to forget about your mistakes. There are no best mental game practices in golf and no one is expecting you to be a “perfect player”–what’s important is learning from these errors and then moving on.
If you get down on yourself every time you mess up, then you won’t have the mindset to keep going strong. Having a break from the game is a good way to overcome any negative thoughts. You’ll come back to the course refreshed and ready for your next shot!
What is Your Target
Focus on your target and mental game to build confidence and consistency. This is especially useful when you first start out–don’t think too far ahead, and focus on the moment.
Do your best to keep your head still and let your body naturally swing through the ball. If you don’t allow yourself to think about how far away the hole is, then you can focus on your game.
Final Thoughts
The best golfers in the world all have one thing in common: mental strength. You can’t be a successful golfer if you don’t believe that your swing will produce the desired outcome and this is what separates good players from great ones! Stay loose, keep your head still, and swing through the ball-and forget about everything else! If you find yourself struggling with a mental game, remember to practice, stay focused, and forget about your bad shots. Lastly, focus on your target to build confidence and consistency.
