Keys to a Consistent Golf Game
Free picture from Pixabay
Golf season is in full swing and you are likely wondering what you need to do in order to play more consistently from hole to hole. I often hear “I was having my best round until one hole blew up my game.”
One of the key factors to playing with a calm confidence is learning how to respond to mistakes. Errors and wayward shots are a realty of the sport of golf—even for the pros. Often we try to get the shot back and make up for the error, which tends to lead to more trouble.
Proactively planning for how to respond when things do not go as you would have liked can help your nervous system feel settled and prepared when the inevitable happens. Mistakes often lead to self judgement, frustration, embarrassment, and thoughts of not good enough. When mistakes are actually necessary in order to improve your game. You don’t get better without them.
Your mindset in response to mistakes is critical for maintaining and establishing calm confidence. Both physical practice of challenging situations and visualization will help you respond in the moment. Visualization and imagery are not just about perfect practice. They can also prepare you for the tough lies and the decisions to make in order to respond to these challenges. Mental preparation can help prevent a bogey from becoming a double, triple, or worse.
Consider what message you have received since childhood about mistakes and failures. The reactions of others when we make mistakes often gives us the impression that mistakes should be avoided at all costs. When we should actually be celebrating mistakes as a sign of growth, improvement, and a step closer to reaching our peak potential.
Tonia Anderson is a Registered Psychologist (RPsych) and former elite athlete specializing in health and performance psychology. With over 25 years in peak performance, she has worked with junior, amateur, and professional athletes competing at local, provincial, national, and international levels including World Championships, Olympic Trials, Pan-Am Games, and more. Tonia works with business executives, emerging leaders, youth, first responders and individuals wanting to achieve their career, sport, and life goals.
Book a free consultation https://toniaandersonpsychology.janeapp.com or email tonia@toniaandersonpsycholocolgy.ca to learn more and get started.