Almost every golfer experiences a slump at some point during their playing days. For the professional player, a slump can have a serious impact on their career. Such slumps are not as serious for the recreational player, however, they can still be frustrating and annoying to deal with. Breaking out of a slump requires that you take a look at yourself and your golf game to figure out why you are in the slump in the first place.
Step 1
Determine if you have an injury, such as a pulled or strained muscle, that is affecting your performance and causing your slump. Trying to play through pain or an injury can prevent the problem from healing and impact your game in ways that you may not even realize. See a medical professional and get all injuries taken care of.
Step 2
Notice if you are having trouble with your equipment. Is it old and in need of replacing? Or, perhaps it’s new and you are not quite used to it yet. Purchase, rent or borrow new clubs if yours are past their prime. Alternatively, give yourself time to get used to your new clubs, if that is the problem, rather than let the transition get you down.
Step 3
Gauge your dedication level and determine if you are practicing enough. This is especially true for the novice or recreational player; what you perceive to be a slump may just be a need to dedicate more practice time to push yourself to the next level.
Step 4
Conquer burn out by taking a break. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your golf game is to give your body and mind a break from the game. Spend more time relaxing or cross train with other activities, such as tennis.
Step 5
Speak to a sports psychologist to determine if your slump is because of a fear of failure. Sports such as golf require that you must be willing to lose in order to get better; if you fear failing then you will never push yourself out on the course and you’ll never know how far you are capable of going.
Step 6
Solve problems in your life that have nothing to do with your golf game yet affect your performance on the course. If you are weighed down by marital, family or job stress, it can send you right into a slump; combat your problems and your game will likely improve.
Step 7
Consult a PGA-certified professional to evaluate the different aspects of your game, such as iron play, short-game shots, putting and hitting the driver. There may be glitches in your form, alignment or strategy that you are not aware of, and a golf pro can help to ascertain your problem and the most effective way to fix it.
Posted in: Golf