"Golf is 90% Mental" - Jack Nicklaus
Some 20-years ago, an obscure doctoral study elaborated on the characteristics of good vs. champion golfers.
These are the 8 characteristics of champion golfers:
1. Focus and Concentration.
2. Abstract thinking.
3. Emotional Stability.
4. Dominance.
5. Tough-mindedness.
6. Confidence.
7. Self-sufficient.
8. Balanced state (not tense but not completely relaxed either).
Now, no one has a handle on all these characteristics, but we can work on many of them. For instance, no one can make you feel inferior with your consent; how you see yourself is the way you'll wind up.
The aim is self-development. Each time you challenge and gain traction you'll diminish the fear a little bit. You'll never eradicate the fear of losing. I think it's part of the way we're put together as humans; a healthy "pay attention counselor" signpost along the way. The point is, by challenging our fear we diminish it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than challenging it. The fearful get caught by lost opportunities as often as the bold gain new opportunities.
When you are at the green you need to have a clear mind when you are standing over the ball and ready to hit. Before you approach you ball and after the shot you need to control your thoughts. Taking all things into consideration, a clear thought out relaxing round can help you have a more enjoyable round and score higher.Warming up and streching gets the blood flowing and into the right golf mindset. To get the muscles loose and the blood flowing before teeing off on the first hole take two clubs and swing them about 15 to 20 times in a full easy golf swing.
Before you hit the ball think about where you would like to hit it. Pick a target in the fairway or on the green where you want your ball to be. Envision the shot you are about to make. When you are ready to make the shot clear your mind and commit to the shot. If your shot does not work out spend a very little time in analysing
Practice at the driving range. Don't practice on the golf course!
Take in the surroundings as you walk to the ball. Enjoy nature, the breezes and the little things that happen on the course, the people you are with. Try to relax; it's precious.
Be aware of the yardage from the green. As an aid, there are usually markers on the fairways. Decide on what type of shot and what club you will use and how you are going to play each hole before you tee off.
For example if the next hole is a par four. You might decide to use a 5 wood, 9 iron and a one putt for par. Chose 3 shots you are confident in hitting. Arnold Palmer says, concentration comes out of a combination of confidence and hunger. A plan helps you relax and concentrate more. If a shot doesn’t work out you’ll improvise, but planning before hand helps.
Most weekend golfers have problems with bunker shots so you may want to plan to avoid hazzards if they are too difficult. Thinking about your round, or the next shot can really help you lower your score. Being honest with yourself and avoiding those shots plays to your strengths and lowers your scores. Save the practice shots for the driving range and be honest with yourself. That is not coping out, that’s integrity.
