If you’re like me, you’re looking for any means available to improve at this great game of ours. Investing in lessons is probably the best way to get better quickly. Getting fitted for equipment is a very close second. Improving your physical capabilities through better overall fitness, strength and mobility is another.
But what about mental fitness?
Can you shave a few strokes if you improve how you use that space between your ears? Maybe learn a little more mental toughness? Absolutely. While by no means an exhaustive list, here are some things to consider for both immediate and long-term improvements to your mental game.
Understand What Good Is
One of the main obstacles to maintaining a healthy and productive mental outlook and playing your best golf is your own expectations. I get it, maybe you’ve got a full-time job and other responsibilities but you’ve found a way to get in some practice reps. You’re possibly working out, perhaps even doing some speed training, and you’ve been vigilant about that mobility and flexibility routine. Perhaps you even get in some putting practice. The point is that, the demands of being a grown-up aside, you’re trying to improve and it can be extraordinarily frustrating when you don’t see the results when you get on the course.
I’m here to tell you that you’re hitting better shots than you think you are when you play golf if you are as dedicated to your golf game as I think you are (you’re reading this article, after all). Then I’m willing to bet you watch a little golf on TV. The problem with that is that you’ve likely unintentionally warped your perceptions of what a good golf shot looks like.
