A good round of golf requires physical and mental skill. Swing mechanics need to be smooth and steady, and you have to mentally focus on every shot. Golf is an impossible sport to master, and even the best golfers experience lapses that lead to a bad hole or two. Staying calm and positive, analyzing what went wrong and being prepared for failure are the best ways to overcome adversity on the golf course.
Positive Attitude
Clear the negative thoughts out of your head after a bad hole. Dwelling on the damage done on one hole is likely to carry over to the next one. Shake off the bad hole and get back to positive thinking. Take a moment to step aside, take a deep breath and erase the memory of the bad hole. Visualize the perfect swing and form. Review each swing from a good hole that resulted in a birdie or par. Stay confident and attack the next hole.
Instant Analysis
Figure out why you had a bad hole or two. Positive and negative thinking aside, swing mechanics can make or break a hole or entire round of golf. Quickly review every shot following a bad hole. Determine if your swing is too long -- or short -- and adjust on the next hole. Determine if you are pulling your head or body off the ball, which alters the direction of any shot. Analyze your putting stroke and make any necessary adjustments.
Stay Calm
Avoid tensing up after a bad hole. Shake the negative energy out of your body before stepping up on the next tee. Stay loose, and get back to a fluid swing. Tensing up while hitting a shot reduces distance and accuracy. A tense grip on the green leaves putts long or short of the desired distance and sets up another bad hole. Practice your swing after a bad hole and do not stop until the mechanics are free and easy.
Be Realistic
Understand the challenges of playing golf, and expect to fail on a hole or two during every round. Even the best Professional Golfers' Association players have bad holes, and they prepare for adversity in advance. Players with sound "recovery skills" fare very well on the PGA Tour. Pro players have short memories and rarely let a bad hole or two ruin the entire round. They stay with the original plan and move forward.
Posted in: Golf