No matter how many times you swing the club, putt the ball or hit the chip shot, one thing can undercut all your hard work and practice: a bad mental game. Your mental strength and focus can be the deciding factor of whether you become a top female golfer or an inconsistent hacker. And the off-season is as good a time as any to practice your mental toughness.
Start by taking a good look at yourself. To improve your attitude, you need to understand how you react in certain situations. When do you feel at the top of your game? When do you get upset? What factors affect your emotions, attitude and outlook on the golf course? Decide to be more positive and not allow outside forces or past mistakes to bring down your game. Resolve to fight on.
Sure, bad rounds are bound to happen, but do your best to work through them and stay as positive as possible. When all else fails, remember tennis-great Andre Agassi’s advice to his young son in his book Open: An Autobiography:
I just lost my match and I feel terrible. I don’t want to go back out there tomorrow. So much so I was actually wishing for an injury. Picture that, not wanting to do something so much that you wish upon yourself injury. Jaden, if you ever feel overwhelmed with something like I was tonight, just keep your head down and keep working and keep trying. Face it at its worst and realize it’s not so bad. That will be your chance for peace. I wanted to quit and leave and go home and see you. It’s hard to stay and play, it’s easy to go home and be with you. That’s why I’m staying.
Imagine that: a number-one tennis player with seven Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal struggling to get back out on the court. But he did it. And what a legacy he left behind.
So tell us, what tricks do you have for staying focused and mentally tough on the course?