3 Tips for Getting Mentally Prepared to Play Golf

golfThe old saying is definitely true. Golf is 99% in your head and as maddening as that is, if you're not getting the right mindset for your game, you may never be able to achieve your goals. If you're ready to get that score to where you want it to be, you've got to start working out your brain as well as your body. Here are some tips to help you get mentally prepared to play golf.

1. Stop all self defeating thoughts.

Most of us will, from time to time, be a little hard on ourselves mentally. If you're constantly beating yourself up however, you are just setting yourself up for failure. Anytime you catch yourself with a negative thought related to how you play golf (or anything else for that matter) you've got to nip it in the bud. Replace that thought with a self affirmation that is positive. Soon, you'll find that all areas of your life start to improve, along with your game.

If you go out onto the course with the thought that you're going to mess up, chances are you will. If you think "Gee I hope I don't slice this," you probably will. Practice thinking the right way and affirm yourself before every single shot. It may take a few tries to get it right, but once you stop setting yourself up for failure, you'll be able to succeed.

2. Play the course in your head.

If you've got a favorite course, you probably already know it pretty well. So, take an hour or two a week to sit in a quiet spot and mentally play some golf. You'll need to be able to remove all distractions so that you can immerse yourself in your thoughts. Start on the first tee and envision playing the perfect round. Keep doing this until you can get through an entire game of golf in your head under par.

You'll be training your brain to handle the course, even if you're not on it. The next time you go, your brain will automatically go back to those visualization sessions and chances are, you'll play better than you ever have.

3. Play some golf video games.

Sounds pretty fun, but can it really improve your game? Actually, it can. While it won't help your swing, it will help the way you think about playing golf. You'll be getting some valuable lessons on clubs, wind speed and how to read different lies. Look for a video game that is as realistic as possible and start to really pay attention to it when you play. Put yourself in your character's shoes and get into it as if you were really playing. You'll be learning while you're having fun and these lessons can be put into use right away the next time you actually do play golf.

Your mind is a powerful tool and when you know how to harness it, you'll be able to become a pro at golf.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-26 07:56:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • golfballsComparing Golf Ball Types Golf, just like any other physical sport, is a game that requires both accuracy and precision in order for you to excel in it. In order for you to score a hole in one, which is the best possible score that you can achieve, you are going to need to......
  • Phil MickelsonGolf Swing Instruction: The Fundamentals of Approach Shots? Golf swing instruction is the best way of understanding the fundamentals of approach shots. The golf swing instruction manuals help in knowing the kind of approach shot you should try, or the way in which you should hit the ball. Perhaps you want to swing like John Daly? If you......
  • nuruNuruplanet Review At Nuruplanet.com you will find an interesting and growing collection of informational card sets that are following the trend that good things can come in small forms and still find usefulness. The mission behind the Nuruplanet company appears to be to provide customers with portable performance enhancing knowledge, which comes......
  • golfingHow to Buy Golf Clubs for the Beginner One of the most important decisions that you will make if you are a beginner golfer is the choice of golf clubs. There are so many decisions to be made for your golf clubs that it is easy to become overwhelmed. If you are going to buy golf clubs there......
  • puttputtGear Overview for Golf Are you interested in playing golf the way that Tiger Woods does it? There is no way to promise or guarantee that, but with the right equipment, you can certainly improve your capabilities on the golf course. One you know the basics and once you have the proper equipment, everything......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • blog traffic exchangeBook Review: Backpacker's Start Up By Doug Werner If you have ever dreamt about going on a hiking vacation, or you already enjoy this sport, it's important to stay on top of the latest news and to learn valuable new techniques that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. There aren't many books that come out that......
  • blog traffic exchangeBook Review: Tennis for Dummies By Patrick McEnroe and Peter Bodo with a forward by John McEnroe The Dummies series has quite a following and these books specialize in breaking down everything complex about a subject until everyone can easily understand it. This latest Dummies book focuses on tennis and was written by John McEnroe’s son, and also features a forward from this well known player. This......
  • kswissAre Your Tennis Shoes Ruining Your Game? One of the biggest problems facing beginning players is right under their nose, and they may not even realize what may be holding them back from success. The shoes you wear on the court can have a big impact on the way that you play the game and if you’re......
  • blog traffic exchangeBook Review: The Tennis Drill Book By Tina Hoskins One of the most important steps of becoming a good tennis player is practicing your drills, over and over again, until it becomes second nature. There are numerous methods that are promoted for different drills, and dozens of books on the subject. We were ready for more of the same......
  • machineTennis Ball Machine Advantages If you are looking for ways for you to significantly improve your techniques in tennis, then one of the best things that you can possibly to do is to invest in a tennis machine or tennis ball machine. This is a truly ideal device for anyone that is interested in......
Online Stores If you liked this article, vote for it on del.icio.us and stumbleupon.

Categories:

Tips and Tricks



Tags:

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


0 comments ↓

There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.

Leave a Comment

Email Updates

accuracy balls birdie birdies bunkers callaway cart course history Dress code driver fairway game golf golf club golf course golfers golfing holes jim furyk lee westwood loft mens pack Padraig Harrington pga championship pga tour phil mickelson putter rangefinder rickie fowler rory mcilroy shaft shoe steve stricker stroke strokes stuart appleby swing tee time tiger woods tour traditional golf attire Vijay Singh water hazards worth the trip