| Have you ever said something like this after a | | | | errors then we are left with only the possibility of |
| bad shot? I didn't take the wind into account, I | | | | a swing error to mess up our shot. You can see |
| forgot to consider that shot was uphill or I didn't | | | | how that would easily lower your score, huh? |
| adjust for the lie with the ball below my feet. | | | | Double D is working hard to hone is mental game. |
| Why? You know about those variables and how | | | | It is harder at first than you might think. After a |
| to adjust for them all. Right? Then how can we | | | | while it becomes more of a habit. He suggest you |
| find ourselves repeating those explanations round | | | | do the following to help master your mental |
| after round? | | | | game. |
| When this happens out mental game has let us | | | | Build a Pre-Shot Routine |
| down. We weren't prepared as we should have | | | | Prior to selecting a club, Double D suggest that |
| been. Those elements were left out of our entire | | | | you create a mental checklist to help you decide |
| thought process as we considered the shot. We | | | | how to proceed. The checklist should include: |
| lack the mental discipline that more consistent | | | | |
| golfers enjoy. They seem to have a way to | | | | 1. Know your lie. |
| include all the elements of the shot in their | | | | 2. Determine your target and distance. |
| planning. Are they smarter than you or I? No, | | | | 3. Examine any obstacles between the ball and |
| probably not. It is not about smart anyway. | | | | the target. (trees, hazards or wind) |
| It's about mental discipline. Let's face it, if we | | | | 4. Decide on a shot shape (straight, draw, fade) |
| know after the shot what went wrong then we | | | | 5. Choose the club best suited for you plan. |
| can notice it before the shot and plan for it. We | | | | Add this mental checklist to your regular pre-shot |
| don't because we have trained our minds to think | | | | routine to eliminate the wasted shots that come |
| in that fashion. The mental game is more | | | | from a failure to think your way through all the |
| important to your scores and handicap than most | | | | variables that will effect your shot. |
| of us would expect. If we can avoid the mental | | | | |