Golf
Tips for Getting Back on Track:
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Getting
Back on Track When the Wheels Fall Off
By Dr. Patrick J. Cohn
How
do you react when the wheels start to fall off your game?
Do you get upset, try harder, or give up? The frustration
that a Tour pro feels when he makes a bogey on a par five
is similar to the anger you feel after three-putting your
last two holes. Both cause frustration for a player, but it's
how you react to mistakes that determines if you can shake
it off and play on. To me, the fact that you made an error
is not the issue. The real issue is your ability to respond
with composure.
Why
do some players get down on themselves and play worse when
the wheels fall off? They can't let go of mistakes and forget
about what happened on the last hole.
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Expectations
are not being met for how the game "should be" played
and negative emotions get the best of them.
Frustration
and anger lingers to the next hole, which causes another bogey or
double bogey. This in turn causes more frustration and a poor focus.
It is a vicious cycle. In this article, I present a few techniques
for controlling your emotions and helping get back on track when
the wheels fall off.
Don't
Dwell on Mistakes
The frustration you carry with you to the next hole comes from dwelling
on your mistake or bad hole. This is unhealthy for your self-confidence
and doesn't let you enjoy golf. Dwelling on errors sends a message
to yourself that you should continue to be upset and beat yourself
up. You make the choice to focus on that bad hole or shot ("I
hate three putting!") or focus on what you need to do to hit
your present shot. Interrupt the negative pattern by changing your
focus to the present shot.
Give
Yourself Permission to Make Mistakes
Some players expect that anything less than a flawless performance
or a perfect round is a failure. You have to accept that you are
human and you will make mistakes just like everyone else. Sometimes
it helps to give yourself permission to make mistakes. You're not
perfect and even the best players in the world make mistakes.
Slow
Down and Breath Deeply
Frustration or tension causes you to rush your behavior and become
sloppy with your preparation. You may walk faster between shots,
rush your shots, swing faster, and speed up your preshot routine.
When you are upset, make an effort to slow down your behavior. Take
your time walking between each shot. Slow down your preshot routine
and be more deliberate without overanalyzing the situation. Take
a few deep breaths through your abdominal region. You can breath
when you're walking to the next shot.
Give
Yourself a Pep Talk
Negative emotions worsen when a player's self-talk is negative and
self-defeating. A player with negative self-talk says: "I'm
the worst putter, I can't play this game", which increases
your anger and decreases self-confidence. Notice when your self-talk
becomes negative, and second, learn to be more positive with yourself
and give yourself a pep talk: "I'm a good putter, I'll make
my next putt." No one can be positive for you but yourself.
You have to be your own best coach in golf and give yourself some
words of encouragement.
Performance Tip:
Next time you get angry or frustrated on the course, practice the
"Three R's": (1) Recognize your are frustrated, (2) Release
the anger, and (3) Refocus on the next shot.
Dr.
Patrick J. Cohn is a master mental game coach who works with golfers
of all levels including PGA and LPGA Tour players. Visit Peaksports.com
to gain access to over 400 exclusive mental game articles, audio
programs, and interviews with athletes and coaches to enhance your
golf potential: or call 888-742-7225.
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2003 Lowerscoregolf.com
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