The Mental Game
It is often stated that 90% of golf is in the mind BUT tell this to a beginner who can’t even make contact with the ball.
I personally believe that 80% of golf is basic technique (posture, grip and alignment) with the remainder made up of touch, feel and mental preparation and toughness.
Golf is a mechanical movement that requires training to work correctly.
However even as a learner the physical movements that you undertake originate in your brain.
There are methods you can use to ensure the brain learns in a fast an efficient manner or conversely you can make your brain totally confused.
The following methods will allow your golfing brain to work effectively:
- Follow only one method of how to play (like learning to ride a bike or brush your teeth).
- Develop a pre-shot routine and consistently apply it at all times on the golf course (it will take your mind off pressure situations and will give you something to fall back on when things are not going well during a round).
- Separate learning the swing from playing golf (learn the swing on the practise range but play golf on the course).
- Celebrate your successes and re-label failures as experience and feedback.
- Give yourself time, it will not all happen at once.
- Remember, when you change anything in your golf game, sometimes things get worse before they get better.
- Have confidence in your swing and mental coaches; they know what they are doing.
Remember true champions are distinguished from the other golfers by the way in which they think.
You too can improve your overall game if you change the way that you think.