Improve your game with a positive mental attitude

Any golfer will know that no matter how much preparation you do, a bad day on the green can simply come from a bad mood or a lack of focus. ‘Get your head in the game’ is an overused phrase, but the sentiment is right: any sport has a crucial mental element that’s critical to your success, no matter how skilled or well-practised you are.

When studies have shown that a positive attitude can help you live longer, it’s no wonder that a good mental state can work wonders on your performance. Your thoughts can even change the outcome of a game. If you step onto the green convinced that you’re going to lose, there’s a good chance that you will. You might become less motivated, feel less energised, lose concentration and accuracy and give up prematurely, all of which can critically affect a game.

So how can you get yourself into the right state of mind before a game? Firstly, it’s all about a positive attitude. Even if the odds are stacked against you, you should focus on what could go right rather than what could go wrong.

You could see positive thinking as a placebo pill: it might not necessarily improve your physical performance, but it can empower you with enough focus, determination and motivation that you end up doing better than you ever thought on the green.

With that in mind, here’s how you can get into a better state of mind before your next game:

Prepare yourself
As well as the usual physical preparation that comes with a game on the green, think about all the things that could happen and make sure you’re mentally prepared. Emotional control is one of the most crucial elements of golf – reacting poorly to an opponent’s shot or getting so excited about a lead that your concentration is ruined can severely impact a game. Rehearsing your reactions to any given moment is a great way to control this.
 

Enjoy the buzz
Like any sport, adrenaline can be extremely helpful to your game, so instead of worrying about nerves, embrace them. Replace the idea of ‘nerves’ with ‘buzz’ – it’s an instant positivity switch that can help you get ready for a game.

Practice refocusing
If your nerves do get the better of you or you lose concentration after a bad shot, take a moment to pause, empty your mind of thoughts, and refocus. A bit of time in between shots can help you maintain your concentration and accuracy, as well as giving you the chance to evaluate your performance.