Most golfers understand that the mental side of the game is important and has a direct impact on their performance, yet many don't know how to practice it.
Here is a simple and specific tip that will help your mental game:
“Realize you have the power to frame situations and experiences anyway you want to.”
Successful golfers tend to interpret situations in a positive light, while poor golfers focus on the negative. This is so important because positive framing preserves and builds confidence, while negative framing destroys it. Having confidence leads to motivation, joy and taking action, while negativity leads to fear, doubt and quitting.
Examples:
1) Situation: a golfer spends an hour practicing putting before his round and is making everything on the practice green. He then goes on the course and misses short putts on the first three holes.
Negative framing/poor golfer: "I don't know why I even bother to practice because it never translates to the course. What a waste of time! Looks like another poor putting day."
Positive framing/good golfer: "I know I'm a good putter even though I've missed a few short putts. It just means that I'm due to start making some. Even PGA Tour players miss short putts. I'm going to continue to stay focused and make a committed stroke."
2) Situation: a golfer goes to the range after a lesson and hits the ball worse than normal.
Negative framing/poor golfer mindset: "Well I just wasted more money on another lesson. This is the third instructor I've been to and I get the same crummy results. Maybe there is no hope for me."
Positive framing/good golfer: "I wish I would have hit the ball better today, but I understand improvement is a process. Golf is a fickle game at times, and in the end it was only one bucket of balls. I felt really tense the whole time. I'll try to relax and go slower next time."
3) Situation: a golfer is playing the round of their life only to crumble on the last hole and miss shooting their career low by a shot.
Negative framing/poor golfer mindset: "Just blew it again! Every time I'm under pressure I choke. I'll never get another chance to shoot my career low. Even if I do I'll probably just mess it up again."
Positive framing/good golfer: "I'm disappointed I didn't shoot my career low, but I'm getting closer! I realize I tend to get quick under pressure. I'll remember this next time I'm in a similar situation and keep my focus."
When framing is used correctly a golfer finds a lesson and learns from from his experiences...good or bad. They will feel energized, optimistic and excited, compared to feeling hopeless and frustrated.
Guess which golfing mindset gets better results?