| Most golfers face a very common situation. They | | | | a specific target. We don't even use our complete |
| can't hit the ball on the course as they usually hit | | | | swing routine on the practice tee. But it is very |
| it on the range. This feeling produces frustration. | | | | different when we get to the first tee. On the |
| Actually a different mental approach to golf is | | | | tee we have a particular place to send the ball, |
| needed on the golf course. There are many | | | | and we require aiming and addressing the ball |
| factors that govern our state of mind on the golf | | | | correctly. |
| course. | | | | Here is a mental golf tip. For a successful |
| To start with, when we are on the tee we have | | | | transition to the golf course we should use our |
| a different mental approach to golf in our | | | | swing routine at least at the end of our warm up |
| subconscious mind. We are thinking about | | | | session with different clubs and specific targets. |
| performance; hitting the ball at the right spot, | | | | We should not get frustrated by a less than |
| avoid doing a mistake and creating a good | | | | perfect shot and accept the fact that our swing |
| impression on the assembled crowd. So, with all | | | | may not be as accurate as on the range. |
| such different purposes, it's not unusual that we | | | | Remember you may have to give yourself time |
| make different swings on the tee than we do on | | | | to warm up to the course. |
| the range. | | | | Most of the players find it easy to get into a |
| The end result makes another difference. On the | | | | rhythm on the range but find it very different out |
| range you are not docked points or penalized if | | | | on the course. There is a world of difference in |
| you hit a shot that doesn't go where you expect | | | | both the physical and the mental golf aspects |
| it to. It's the other way around on the golf course. | | | | between how you play at the golf range and how |
| The only time you can replay a shot from the | | | | you play at the tournament. At the golf range |
| same spot on the golf course is when there is a | | | | you're hitting shots probably from the same spot |
| penalty involved. Fear of making an error | | | | and to the same target again and again. In |
| introduces tension into the game of golf. We do | | | | contrast, at the golf course it's common never to |
| not feel tension on the range. Whereas the | | | | hit with the same club twice in a row from the |
| tension of not meeting our own expectations | | | | same spot. Obviously you will need time to switch |
| interferes with our mental golf tempo and the | | | | from the mental approach to golf on the |
| freedom with which we swing on the golf course. | | | | practice-range and the golf course. |
| Every golf athlete therefore needs to develop | | | | This can be done with one of a number of golf |
| golf mental toughness. | | | | mental toughness aids available on the market |
| On the practice tee, we often set up and hit and | | | | today. |
| then take another ball over and hit it again without | | | | |