GOLF TIP #2: WHEN IS PSYCHOLOGY THE CULPRIT?

Sometimes we just can’t tell whether our bad shots and resultant high scores are caused by temporary mechanical swing flaws or whether we are plagued by a poor mental game. The diagnosis needs to be correct! Let me just say that while I’m obviously a proponent of mental training, a great mental approach is not a substitute for a sound golf swing. Our level of arousal does have a lot to do with our execution, however.

I was once volunteering some time at a Champions Tournament in Kansas City and spent considerable time on the practice range watching the players warm up. I was struck with the diversity of swings, the movement through the ball, swing style and other mechanical differences in the players. Yet one thing was always the same. The ball went straight and it went far! At the moment of contact each player was striking the ball in his unique way and each player could seemingly shape the ball flight in about any way he wanted. There was very little discernable difference between players on the practice tee. I also happened to notice that the best pitching skills were displayed by a non-winner on the tour! It’s on the course, however, where strategy and the mental game really separate the winners from the rest of the field.

So how can we tell whether our problem is psychological or swing related? Let’s examine a few telltale signs:

• is your ball striking on the practice tee great but doesn’t hold up on the course?
• do you hit the ball to the exact area you told yourself not to?
• do you play poorly when you most want to do well?
• do you choke when you are in a pressure situation?
• does a missed putt affect your next several shots or signal the collapse of the round?
• can you go really low when playing alone or with a player you know very well?
• do you play better on your day off or while on vacation?
• does conversation or gamesmanship from others upset you?
• do you play worse when you play with good players or celebrities?

If you answered yes to any or all of these situations the problem is probably psychological. Just as it is impossible to play well without a sound golf swing, it is equally impossible to play well without a sound mental game. Yet I find it interesting that most amateurs spend a lot of time on the range beating balls and yet devote very little time working on the way they think about themselves and their game. Very often a negative thinking style and the reaction to a poor shot sabotages players with good sound swings, while a less accomplished player with a repeatable swing and a sound mental game takes all the “marbles”.

If any if these situations affect your game I hope you will tune in each month.
We’ll be looking at ways to strengthen the mental game this year and review products, books and techniques that can make us better golfers. Stay tuned.

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