It's hard to find any other sport which requires as much mental focus as golf. There are those who have been around the sport for years who claim mental aspects are 90% of the game even though it requires a degree of technical skill. Still, there's no denying the power of nerves and anxiety over a crucial putt, or how lost a poor shot can make you feel.
What Does Mental Training Mean?
Mental training adapts your mind to the particular demands of golf. The array of challenges that you're likely to face during just one round can be overwhelming--particularly if there's a great deal riding on the outcome. When you teach your mind to deal with different concerns in a way that facilitates a free, confident swing on each shot, you have established conditions by which you can play to your full potential.
Disciplined and Undisciplined Minds
A golfer's mind that is undisciplined typically has too much going on at once. Trying to entertain thoughts about swing mechanics, yardages, club selection, scores and how the round might turn out all at the same time is impossible. Consequently, the mind must be trained to stick with one thought at a time.
A disciplined mind will only acknowledge thoughts relevant to the moment at hand. Worrying about the outcome of a shot you haven't hit yet is not relevant to the current moment. Similarly, once you have chosen a certain club, that moment is over. Concentrate on the next order of business and don't look back.
Overcoming Fear
Of course, it isn't easy to keep from feeling anxiety about the things that might go wrong. You must remind yourself, however, that these fears won't help you hit a successful shot. If this reality doesn't help relieve you from worrying thoughts, replace those thoughts with a specific focus that is positive and purposeful. The most desirable point of concentration for this situation is the target. Focusing on the target clarifies your goal.
Mental Training Goals
As much as you might like it, eradicating pressure and fear entirely from a round of golf is not a reasonable goal. You're still human. Try playing a stretch of three holes during which you limit your thoughts on the target only. Accomplishing this will give you a taste of how to control your focus during pressure situations and provide some satisfaction for successfully managing your game. You can build from three holes progressively, but start applying mental training techniques with something that's manageable.
What Mental Training Provides
Mental training, over time, can provide one of the most useful commodities in golf---confidence. Knowing how to use your mind to create ideal conditions for outstanding play helps you feel as if you have greater control on the golf course. Mental training can also help keep you on an even keel during rough patches of play You must practice the application of mental strategies to get the most out of them. Patience and persistence will certainly work.
References
- "Golf is Not a Game of Perfect"; Bob Rotella with Bob Cullen; 1995
- "Zen Golf"; Joseph Parent; 2002
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