Last Updated on August 9, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Have you ever gotten mad on the course? Maybe you tried to dismiss your anger and keep all of your thoughts positive. I’ve been there and tried to do the right thing. However, I never found it to work all that well. Instead, I’ve learned how to manage my anger. I wanted to make sure that I could build off of this. In the end, I’m angry because I care, and I know I can do better – so it can be used for positive gain! Here’s what a little fury on the fairway can do for you.
Anger Can Help You Focus More on What Needs to Get Done
If you are smart about channeling this anger it can sharpen your focus. Instead of getting distracted by comments your golf partners are making, the weather conditions on the course, or that work assignment you have simply start to focus on the next shot in front of you.
Anger can push you (if you let it) to block out external factors and zero in on your target.
You’ll make more precise and calculated shots, but you have to first give yourself the opportunity to thrive on a bit of that anger.
Add a Little Extra Speed
Yes, anger can increase your speed.
I’ve had times in my competitive career where I’ve missed a short putt or made an unfortunate double bogey and walked off the hole with a bit of anger still brewing.
For me, that means I have a bit more speed in my swing. The extra energy from the anger can translate into more distance on your shots. Sometimes, a lot more distance.
Make sure that you still follow your normal pre-shot routine and focus on the right tempo; otherwise, you may have a hard time reigning this speed in.
You’ll Add Just The Right Amount of Pressure On Yourself
Putting pressure on yourself to play great golf can be a good thing. Anger often acts as a self-imposed challenge, and you’ll be able to perform better because of it.
Full disclosure here: not every golfer plays like this. However, if you have always been motivated by the “I bet you can’t” type concepts, then being angry on the course could be a good thing for you.
Anger Can Make You Aware of Your Heart Rate
If you have listened to any of Scottie Scheffler’s post-round interviews, he talks about how important it is for him to control his heart rate. Anger can increase your heart rate, and because of that, you become aware of the heart rate.
Work on breathing and visualization to bring your heart rate back down. When your heart rate is controlled, you’ll play your best golf.
Improve Mental Toughness Over Time
Nobody loves playing with the guy that breaks his clubs over his knee. Sure, it’s funny occasionally, but people who continually act like this on the course are just annoying to play with.
When you deal with anger on the course the right way and channel it, you’ll become mentally tougher for your next round of golf.
Keeping these emotions in check will improve overall performance and help with focus. You may even have a competitive edge in your next event all because you learned how to control your anger.
While uncontrolled anger and fury on the fairway can undoubtedly harm your game, a little bit of controlled fury can actually work to your benefit. Remember, the key is control—learning how to harness your emotions rather than letting them control you.
