Mental Game

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By Davis L

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  • 15 Replies
  1. Davis L

    Davis L
    Lafayette, CO

    Golf is an extremely mentally challenging sport and a good mental game is key to have any shot at success. Yet, the mental part is often over looked. There are many ways to practice chipping, putting, etc, but there is no clear way to practice your mental game. I want to know what the team titleist community thinks about this and if anybody could be kind enough and give me some advice for me and my friends to practice their mental game.

    Thanks,

    Davis L

  2. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    Good question. What I try to do is think back on what shots that I mess up when playing because I get uncomfortable, quick and get the deer in the headlight syndrome. Then I try to replicate these shots on the chipping, pitching and practice tees until I feel comfortable. The key then is when you are playing and these shots confront you again you should be able to remember how you successfully pulled them off in practice and repeat these same thoughts when it is for real. Works for me and I hope it works for you.
  3. george t

    george t
    Old Lyme, CT

    "Golf is a game played on a five inch course.  The distance between your ears" - Bobby Jones

    The mental part is difficult.  Staying in the present so challenging to do over the course of 18 holes.  But if you're practicing with friends, come up with some kind of challenge, whether it be a wager or a prize.  It doesn't have to be big dollars.  Clean the other guys clubs, carry an ugly bag, a beverage.  Whatever - put something on the line to create some pressure.  Being able to make the shot when the pressure's on - that helps build your mental strength.

  4. Speedy

    Speedy
    Newmarket, NH

    george t said:

    "Golf is a game played on a five inch course.  The distance between your ears" - Bobby Jones

    The mental part is difficult.  Staying in the present so challenging to do over the course of 18 holes.  But if you're practicing with friends, come up with some kind of challenge, whether it be a wager or a prize.  It doesn't have to be big dollars.  Clean the other guys clubs, carry an ugly bag, a beverage.  Whatever - put something on the line to create some pressure.  Being able to make the shot when the pressure's on - that helps build your mental strength.

    Love the quote George and well said.   Putting something on the line is always fun and it does add a little pressure to your game..  And when you pull through, it's such a great feeling to have.. 

  5. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military

    George has hit the nail on the head....you can practice shots on the range until the cows come home, but you have to be able to execute during your round.  Like George has suggested, put your self in some stressful conditions, then focus and execute, that is the best way to build that mental toughness.

  6. PRO V

    PRO V
    golf course

    Davis, I used to practice for hours on the range, chipping and putting greens.  After many injuries, I now practice on the course which definitely ups the stakes mentally and physically.  But either way, I consistently make up little games to keep the pressure on myself and keep it fun!  Have to make the same putt 3 times before moving to the next hole.  Get the short game inside 10 feet for 3 balls in a row. Keep my drives in the fair way 3 times in a row.  Approach to the greens the same.  I had a buddy who wouldn't leave the course unless he made par or better on the last hole, no matter what.  I'd laugh and laugh watching him play #18 in the dark and dodging the sprinklers!  Of course, I had to play the holes with him.  Creative games are fun and golf is a game.  Many people forget this.  I hate to see slamming of clubs, yelling and so forth.  Yes, improvement is "work,", but it doesn't have to be "work," if you approach it from a "fun"damental, creative way.  My motto is always "make it fun!"  Not only in golf, but in life.  It will serve not only you but those you play with very well.  Have fun, Davis!  Best always, Vern

  7. tdogg21

    tdogg21
    Chambersburg, PA

    The biggest issue I have mentally, is staying "in the moment."  For me I try to stay loose and relaxed between shots.  I don't even start thinking about my next shot until I get close to my ball.  That down time helps me stay sharp for an entire round without getting mentally exhausted.  But once it's my time, I get locked in and go through my process and pre-shot routine.  I do this whether it's a friendly game with nothing on the line or a tourney.

    As for practicing my mental game, I try to make little challenges will practicing.  This could be on the putting green (won't let myself leave until I do something) or on the range (pretend it's a critical tee shot and I have to hit it a certain way).  Anything that challenges your focus for an extended time during practice, will help when you are on the course.

  8. Steve L

    Steve L
    Framingham, MA

    I have several aspects to my mental approach.  first is alway be  positive.  I think about what I WILL DO, not about what I don't want to happen.   I like to recall good shots from memory before I hit the ball and remind myself how I've successfully executed this shot in practice or play.  build your own confidence.  When I hit a bad shot, let it go!  I know its not easy but focus on the next shot to help keep your focus on what you are about to do not what has already happened.  nothing will change the past...

    when I'm practicing I like to visualize my shots.  I often start by hitting one ball simply as a reference.  I can see my trajectory and speed.  it doesn't matter if its a full swing , chip or putt.  seeing the first ball help me to capture a mental video of how long a ball will stay in the air, or maybe how much roll out I will get after the ball lands.  Once I have that info I visualize my shot from start to finish in real time seeing it to its completion .  I try to be a specific as possible  for trajectory or landing spot.   if its a shot into the green then see it go into the hole.   I'm often surprised that when I'm even pitching balls in my backyard and I visualize a shot first  with some practice swings and then simply step in and hit the shot the results are almost identical. 

  9. george t

    george t
    Old Lyme, CT

    Steve is giving you some great advice here - stay positive.  Don't be long, don't be short, don't forget to follow through - bad mojo in that line of thinking.  Continuing with his advice - be VERY SPECIFIC when it comes to picking out targets.  For example, a par 5, no chance of reaching in two.  I know I'm not the only one who chooses a lay up yardage, pulls a club, and then lazily hits a shot that has you regretting laying up.  EVERY shot needs to have a purpose and your full attention.  I've added up those lapses in concentration after some rounds - $%&@*@!!!.  My old baseball coaches put it well:  you can forgive errors due to talent/skill/overachieving; but there's no excuse for a mental mistake.

  10. Sawyer Nix

    Sawyer Nix
    Belton, SC

    Davis L said:

    Golf is an extremely mentally challenging sport and a good mental game is key to have any shot at success. Yet, the mental part is often over looked. There are many ways to practice chipping, putting, etc, but there is no clear way to practice your mental game. I want to know what the team titleist community thinks about this and if anybody could be kind enough and give me some advice for me and my friends to practice their mental game.

    Thanks,

    Davis L

    This is what I specialize in!!   You can practice your mental game while chipping, putting, or on range.  You can practice to learn something (new grip, different swing path), practice for transference (prepping for the course), or practice for competition.  Practice routines, practice under pressure, and practice with purpose (switching targets & one shot at a time).  If you have any specific questions message me and I will be glad to help.   Sawyer

  11. Michael R

    Michael R
    Lewes, DE

    This is the worst part of my game. I am a total headcase out on the course. Once I get into my rhythm I am fine but the first tee box can be very embarrassing. Another big issue is when there are people or houses off to the side where I can reach. For a long time it would be all I can think about before hitting and low and behold I usually end up hitting the ball in that direction! I have been working very hard on the mental game and I agree that mentally placing yourself in challenging situations when on the range really helps. I will aim down a certain line and imagine both sides lined with houses or people over and over. Also, when hitting, I imagine everyone else who is there is watching me hit each and every ball. I find it really helps me get used to others being around and now when I play with new people it doesn't bother me anymore. Always a work in progress but practice makes perfect.

  12. Bob T

    Bob T
    East Otis, MA

    I agree with the staying positive attitude.  I step up to the ball, picture the shot and take a few practice swings.  I then step up to the ball feeling positive from my practice swings and I just let muscle memory take over and swing.  This is what works for my mental game and what I have been taught.    

  13. No'l

    No'l
    Palmdale, CA

     The psychology of the game I try and follow are in books.  I have a couple from Bob Rotella- great psychologist.  The other concept is "Zen Golf".  I love that the practices are geared to increase focus and maintain calmness, but there's more in it.  Check them out!

  14. No'l

    No'l
    Palmdale, CA

    There's a couple psychology guru I follow, one is Bob Rotella. In one of his lessons it was like of Mr. Ben Hogan's, about a target: Whether you aim to lay up or going for the green, you have to have a specific spot you want to be and commit to doing just that whether you get there or not is upon the skills you've already learned. With Mr. Hogan, if his caddy tells him a direction on a blind shot towards the three palms, Mr. Hogan would ask which of the three palms precisely. The other is by Zen Golf. The one I like and use the most is their breathing techniques. It allows the heartbeat to be constant in beats per minute and helps to stay in the present. In a competition, there can be surprises that makes us think more than we really should... competitor/opponent hits a much longer shot, much more graceful, or even at times when we find our ball in an unfilled divot- things beyond our control. By being in the present, we could focus more with the best of what we can do.
  15. pulplvr

    pulplvr
    Spring, TX

    Military

    Some very interesting ideas have shown up here.  I'm like several of you -- I tend to get off course during a round, mentally.  Today was a good example.  By not concentrating properly, I missed five or six putts of three feet or less during a match play tournament.  That meant I had to go two extra holes to win the match, one I should have easily closed out about 4 and 3.  At least I pulled out the right mental framework on the last three holes, getting up and down from 80 yards on #18, hanging tough on #1, and hitting to 6 inches on the final par 3 #2 for a conceded birdie--and, finally, the win.  Now I just have to remember my thought process on those holes and keep at it for the full 18 holes.  

  16. Andy C

    Andy C
    Newmarket, ON

    Great question! This is often a part of the game that is overlooked. Practice like you play - when hitting the range, pretend that you are on the golf course and make sure that every single shot counts. Obviously there are times where you need to practice a particular shot and repetition is needed. Practice the same routine, the way you think before a shot and add a little pressure by competing with a friend on the range. 

    I also like to use other games like darts and pool on the off season to keep my brain focused and sharp. Hope this helps...

    AMC

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