How to score your mental golf game and compare to the pros

The mentaI game of golf is at least responsible for 50% of a players success. I have developed a scoring system where I rate golfers based on their mental/strategic skills.

There are 5 areas that I score.

Positive mindset (PM)

Patient presence (PP)

Consistent focus (CF)

Course management (CM)

Visual imagination (VI)

Each area is worth 5 points for a total of 25. I have compiled the top ten players based on my observations over the past three years.

To score a five in any area you pretty much have to be able to say that you always perform very well in that area.

After seeing how the greatest players in the world score, score yourself based on your own observations and comparison with the best. Make it your goal to improve this score and watch your scores on the golf course drop.

For instructions on how to score and improve these mental abilities get my Lowerscore Manual. We have also teamed up with Dr. Fran Pirozzolo who has the most advanced mental training system for golf, working with Justin Leonard, Bernhard Langer and more. Click here to find out why we recommend him so highly.

Here are my top ten mental game players in the world:

Tiger Woods: scores PM=5, PP=4, CF=4, CM=5, VI=5, TOTAL=24

David Toms: scores PM=3, PP=5, CF=5, CM=5, VI=4, TOTAL=22

Vijay Singh: scores PM=4, PP=4, CF=4, CM=4, VI=4, TOTAL=20

Justin Leonard: scores PM=4, PP=4, CF=3, CM=5, VI=4, TOTAL=20

Retief Goosen : scores PM=4, PP=5, CF=4, CM=3, VI=4, TOTAL=20

Robert Allenby: scores PM=4, PP=4, CF=4, CM=4, VI=4, Total=20

Padraig Harrington: scores PM=3, PP=5, CF=4, CM=4, VI=4, Total=20

Mike Wier: scores PM=4, PP=4, CF=5, CM=4, VI=3, Total=20

Ernie Els: scores PM=3, PP=4, CF=3, CM=4, VI=5, Total=19

Jim Furyk: scores PM=4, PP=5, CF=3, CM=3, VI=4, Total=19

There are very few tour players in the top 100 who would score lower than about 13. What you will see with all the top mental players is consistency throughout each season and over several seasons.

Notice how each of the above has specific strengths. Tiger Woods is the only player on tour to score a 5 on PM. Just watch him in an interview after a bad round or disappointing result. He has the most uncanny ability to frame everything positively for his benefit. I don't think I have ever heard him say a negative thing about himself.

David Toms is probably the best in the game at playing one shot at a time and maintaining his composure. He seems to always be focussed and is one of the most consistent players in the world.

Vijay Singh is the epitome of balance in his mental game. But occasionally he will have little slumps in all areas. Maybe he works too hard.

Justin Leonard is true grit but can lose his focus and composure at times. He is probably one of the best at managing the course and playing to his strengths.

Retief Goosen is becoming a consistent winner on the PGA tour. His biggest strength is in his composure and patience under pressure. I would take him in a playoff anytime. The U.S. Open victory really solidified his mental strength, being able to come back after that devastating missed putt.

Padraig Harrington combines grit with composure and is becoming a real threat not only in Europe but in all the majors as well. Watch out for this guy.

What about Phil Mickelson you ask? I score Phil an 18 because he is sometimes weak in course management, positive mindset, and consistent focus, though this seems to be improving. He does score a five in visualization though. Mickelson has a problem with a negative mindset at times and can lose focus quite easily. This has led to pretty high scores on a fairly regular basis in the past.

How is your mental game? Think about the scores these great players got and see what the categories mean by looking at the "LowerScores Manual". Score yourself in each area based on the criteria. Perhaps get a regular playing partner to rate you as well (see how honest you are).

Most recreational players will score between 5 and 10. Good amateurs will usually score between 10 and 15, most pros are over 15. Anyone can improve this part of the game regardless of physical skill level. You can have the same mental score as Tiger Woods if you work at it. Have fun and remember if you want instruction on how to use your head to score lower consistently get my Manual now.

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