The Mental Game

Have you ever taken a few months off golfing, only to return and find that your swing has never been so pure and effortless? I think we all have. This is because we, as golfers, tend to get in our own way and let a barrage of 'swing tips' and 'swing thoughts' enter our mind when we play regularly. This is called 'paralysis by overanalysis' in the golf world - and it's something we've all fallen victim to at one time or another.

We would do a lot better by trusting ourselves and our abilities more, and allowing natural instincts to take over. Granted, golf is not an easy game compared to other sports, but we make it much more difficult when we try to break down every component of the swing and fall victim to over-thinking. It's been said that the game of golf is more mental than physical - in other words, it's more important to have confidence and trust in yourself than being coordinated or physically gifted.

Here are some suggestions for improving your mindset so that you can play better golf:

> Don't worry about what you look like.
This is a killer. Often times (especially on the first tee or when there are many people watching) we worry about what will happen if we hit a bad shot, or what that might look like to other people or peers who may be watching. This causes big time tension, which prevents swinging smooth and free. Realize that everyone is too pre-occupied with their own swings to worry much about yours.

> Breathe.
Deep breaths can be very calming and go a long way towards lowering the heart rate and allowing ourselves to be in a good 'mental spot' to hit a golf shot. Inhale through the nose deeply and exhale through the mouth as you stare down the fairway and picture your ideal shot.

> Visualize.
Mind over matter. Picture the exact shot you want to hit and put everything else out of your mind. Chances are if you are telling yourself 'anywhere but left into the lake', that will be the mental image you have when you swing and you will do exactly the thing you are trying not to (put it in the drink). Picture the fairway, or the green, and don't even acknowledge the trouble elsewhere.

> Focus on your target and not your ball.
If the ball is your target, you are likely to 'hit' at the ball with tension and not swing freely through it. Remember, your target is somewhere 'out there' down the fairway or on the green - the target is not the ball. Let the ball get in the way of your swing and follow through confidently.

> Concentrate on the shot at hand and don't worry about previous shots or future shots:
There is a real tendency to start 'adding up the score' during a round and not focus on the shot you need to hit 'right now'. Understand that there is nothing you can do about the shots you've already hit, so you just have to accept them. Also, there is nothing you can do (yet) about the future shots in your round. Therefore, put all your focus and concentration on the shot at hand and give it your full attention.

> Don't lose your temper.
Anger causes frustration which causes tension which causes flubbed shots. Let it go, you are here to have fun first and foremost. If you're not, you probably should look for a different hobby. I've never seen anyone have a good remainder of their round after throwing their five wood in a lake. Remember, all you can do is do your best on the next shot.

> Enjoy the company and the scenery.
If you can really try and enjoy the people you are playing with and the beautiful surroundings of a golf course, you will put yourself in a pleasant mind frame and not put too much pressure on yourself or your golf game. A round of golf consists of only a few minutes of actual 'playing', or swinging of the club. So, why not try and enjoy the other few hours and make the most of them?

> Narrow your focus.
When swinging the club, look at one spot on the golf ball (a dimple or the logo) rather than the whole ball. On short putts, picture a blade of grass on the cup that you want the ball to roll over, rather than the whole cup. When we narrow our focus we increase our chances of success.

> Don't have swing thoughts.
Most golfers have two or three 'key swing thoughts' as they set up to the ball. This overload of information causes tension and second guessing. Trust yourself and your abilities, and if you have one swing thought, make it something to control your tempo (remember that slower is almost always better - pressure situations cause us to swing too fast).

> Believe in yourself.
Trust your natural instincts and your ability to propel an object a certain direction. It's an innate ability that we sometimes forget we have. Have confidence in yourself and you will experience much greater success.

Most importantly, just relax. It's just a game, folks! Have a good time and try to meet some new people. You might not have the best score of your life, but you might make a friend or two, which, when looking at the big picture, is better anyway.