Golf Mental Game – Do You Play The Mental Game Of Golf?

For a long time I confess I ignored the golf mental game. I thought the only game that mattered was playing the next golf shot and aiming for the lowest score I could manage. The fact is though, a round of golf takes a long time. Where I come from it takes upwards of three hours.

When you think how much of that time is spent actually hitting golf shots you can appreciate there is a lot of time out there spent waiting for other golfers to play there golf shots, looking for lost golf balls, etc.

The point of this, is that what do you think about when you are not playing your golf shots? That’s the question I put to myself, and I was aware I wasn’t thinking about golf all the time. And I suspect, neither do most other golfers. Our full and busy lives spill over on to the golf course and we bring our hopes and fears with us. Surely that does not do our golf any good?

I hope I have persuaded you that the mental game of golf is every bit as important as the physical side of the game. So what is the best way to use all that time spent waiting to play the next golf shot? Preparation. That is the answer. But, preparation for what?

Try the following golf mental game tips.

1. Leave your private and business life behind when you arrive at the golf course.

2. Have a strategy for the golf game you are playing. A strategy for stroke play will be different to one for a knock out match.

3. Know your opponent.

4. Be prepared for bad shots and do not let your emotions take over and ruin your game.

5. Know the golf course you are playing. Have a mental strategy for each hole.

6. Do you want to play an attacking round of golf or a defensive one?

7. Do not dwell on your mistakes. Learn the lesson quickly then move on.

These are just some ideas you might want to use or improve on in your own game of golf. It is wise not to underestimate the mental game in golf, because your emotions and negative thoughts can easily ruin your score card. My advice is, play the golf mental game, just as eagerly as you play the physical game, and you could save yourself valuable shots the next round of golf you play.