The Mental Side of the Short Game

In golf, the mental side of the game is almost just as important as the physical side of the game. In fact, once you have mastered the fundamentals of golf, the mental game is the most important aspect of the game. For proof of this theory all you have to do is look at a professional golfer on the PGA Tour. Talent wise, any one player out there can beat another on a given day. Even Tiger Woods does not win every tournament, but he does win more than anyone else. This is because his mental game is better than anyone around right now, and it may be better than anyone who has ever played the game.

The great thing about the short game is that you do not have to have physical strength to be good. In fact, you can make up for a lack of physical strength with a good short game and drive the guys you play with that hit it 300 yards crazy because you beat them on a regular basis. But, in order to have a short game that can accomplish this, your mental game must be excellent. It is easy to get over a bad drive, because you can make up for it with a good second shot or with a good putt or chip, but what happens when you three putt? There is no way to make up for it. The hole is finished. This is why it is so important to stay positive about your short game at all times.

Have you ever missed a putt or flubbed a chip and then proceed to call yourself names your worst enemy wouldn’t utter? Of course you have, or you have at least though it. In order to become mentally stronger, this must not be allowed. The best putters in the world blame their misses on something or someone else, and are so confident in their stroke that it is never their own fault. It used to drive me crazy when Jack Nicklaus would miss a four footer and then act like he was tapping down a spike mark that was in his line. Then I realized that this was the result of a genius at work. He was so confident in his own putting ability that there was no way in the world that he did anything to cause that putt to not go in the hole. He walked off that green angry, but not angry at himself. Every time you get angry at yourself and verbally or mentally call yourself names it whittles your confidence down bit by bit. So next time you miss a putt you should have made, try not to get down on yourself, even if you made a bad stroke and you know it. Find something positive to tell yourself and move on to the next hole.

Poor body language is another mistake golfers make. Tiger Woods is so much fun to watch after he has made a mistake, because he immediately puffs his chest out, holds his head high, and stomps defiantly to the next hole. It might not be happy body language, but he rarely looks as if he has just been told that his dog died. Pay attention to your body language next time you are playing bad. If it is a slouching, moping type posture, change it. Stand up straight and confident even if you are 46 over par. Whenever I catch myself trending toward this kind of posture, I immediately go into George Washington mode. I try to emulate the posture George Washington has in a portrait I have seen of him, where he looks like he could take on the world.

Lastly, be confident but not stupid. There is a fine line between the two and sometimes it is even more blurry when playing golf. A rule of thumb that I use is to never attempt a shot unless I have perfected it during a practice session. The temptation to try a heroic shot that you saw Phil Mickelson hit at Torrey Pines is always there, but a golfer with a good mental game will pull back the reins and play it safe. A par or bogey on the scorecard is better than risking a double bogey or worse just to pull off a near impossible shot. Play within yourself and the results will amaze you.
I know some of these suggestions border on silly, but they work. The only way you can lower your score is through practice and confidence in yourself. There is no reason to lose this confidence just because of one bad shot or unlucky break. As much as I hate to say it the best advice in golf is the old cliché to take it one shot at a time. Use this advice, stay positive, and believe in your ability to hit the shots that you have practiced.

Get the Family Golfing!!!

How would you like to find an activity that is affordable, healthy, and would allow you’re family to spend more time together? Golfing is a perfect way to accomplish all of these goals. Many families believe that golf is a sport that is extremely expensive, difficult to learn, and takes too much time to play, but those myths can be shattered by introducing your family to the game of golf by remembering some basic guidelines. If you get started affordably, get instruction from certified teachers, and follow some basic rules and etiquette you might change your mind about hitting the links with your family.

The main concern of most families when exploring the game of golf is money. Yes, golf equipment can be very pricey, but it is very easy to get a family equipped to learn the game in an inexpensive manner. The first thing to remember is that you do not need a whole set of clubs immediately. When learning the game, all you need is a mid iron (6 or 7 iron), a driver, wedge, and a putter. Many golf shops will offer individual used clubs for around $5-$20 per club. Once you feel the need to move onto a full set, starter sets can be purchased for around $100-$300 at most golf shops. Starter sets will include a full set of woods, a full set of irons, a putter, and a golf bag. The reason that these sets are less expensive is that most of them are made with zinc heads in the irons, and metal heads in the woods, but it is a reasonable investment to make if you are not sure if you are going to stick with the game for a long time. For the junior golfers in your family a good 5-club set, including woods irons and putter can be purchased from $40-$100 depending on your child’s height and age.

Once you have equipped your family for golf, instruction would be the next step. The most affordable way to learn some basic fundamentals is through golf clinics. Check at your local golf course for any clinics that are being offered. Sometimes courses will even do free clinics just to generate foot traffic at their facility. The drawback to learning golf through a clinic is that you do not spend much one on one time with the instructor and just the basics are covered. If you are looking for that one on one experience, the investment will be increased, but the quality of instruction will be higher as well. Either route you choose, it is essential that the instructor teaching you is experienced and it helps if they are certified by the PGA or LPGA.

Another reason many families shy away from golf is the intimidation factor. It can seem like golf has a very strict code of etiquette, but the majority of golfers just follow a few basic etiquette rules that are easy to learn. An affordable way to learn the basics of golf etiquette is to visit USGA.org and check out the etiquette page. There are pocket sized etiquette guides that can be purchased at any golf retail store or golf shop for around five dollars, but the best way to learn is to watch experienced golfers play the game, or play a round of golf with some veteran golfers. If you are receiving instruction, your instructor is also a great resource. The most important thing to remember about golf ettiquette is that if you are not sure about something – ASK!!!

After you have bought your clubs, learned the fundamentals, and been briefed on the etiquette of the game, call a golf course and make a tee time or take the family out to a local driving range. If everyone in the family is a beginner golfer, try to play when the course is the least crowded. This not only takes away the intimidation of more seasoned golfers breathing down your neck, but the green fees will generally be cheaper when the course is less full. These less busy times will usually be in the late afternoon and in the cooler months of the year. Another great way to have fun playing golf if time is an issue is to visit the local driving range. Even though you are not playing the course, it is a great avenue to get the family outside in the fresh air and exercise.

Some of my most memorable times on the golf course have been with my family. My grandfather was still playing golf with me at 82 years of age and would enjoy himself immensely. It is a game that anyone can learn no matter how old or young you are, and you can play it for a lifetime. It can cost a little money to get started, but with the proper instruction and attitude, it can be a great way for your family to spend time and have fun together for a long time.