Last Updated on January 14, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Mental positivity is a must on the golf course. Whether you have been playing for a day or your entire life, it’s hard not to let those negative thoughts slip in. As a former golf professional and someone who wishes I had a few shots I could play over again, you can trust me about these negative thoughts. The key is to turn these positive every chance you get. Here are the 10 thoughts you need to drop now.
“I always mess up on this hole.”
We all have our favorite holes on the golf course. However, if you stand on a tee box fully expecting to make a double bogey, you probably will!
Try to change your strategy on the hole. Hit your 3 wood instead of your driver. Pick a different target to aim for. Choose a new approach that makes it easier to disassociate this thought.
When you stand on the tee box, you can say, “I’m going to master this hole.”
“That was a terrible shot.”
Most amateur golfers hit several terrible shots throughout their round.
It’s normal.
The problem with getting upset and angry with those shots is how negativity lingers. You will have it in you for your next few shots.
Look at a terrible shot as a challenge. Take it as an opportunity to hit the next one perfectly and recover. You can’t change the past, so move on.
“I can’t putt to save my life.”
If you genuinely had to putt to save your life you probably would! Putting is just as much mental as it is physical. The putters who make the most putts believe the ball is going in the hole.
When was the last time you stood over a putt and truly believed it was going in the hole?
If it’s been a while, give it a try.
Start thinking that each putt is going in, and you will make more.
“Everyone is watching me. It’s going to make me mess up.”
You are playing against the golf course. You’re going to have good and bad holes, and if some other people witness that, so be it.
The people who watched you slice one out of bounds have done it plenty of times themselves.
When you stand over a golf shot, ignore other people and focus on your task.
“Don’t miss left.”
Never focus on where you don’t want to hit the ball. Instead, focus on where you ARE going to hit it. If there is trouble down the left side, pick a spot on the right side of the fairway. Confidently aim to this spot and make a great swing.
“This fairway is huge. You better not miss it.”
Even if the fairway is huge, when you put a lot of pressure on yourself to hit the fairway, it’s’ a lot to handle. Instead, start focusing on hitting a great drive right down the middle.
You can even tell yourself that you are going to try and split the middle of the fairway with your drive.
“I’m not sure if this is the right club.”
Never, and I really mean never, swing the club back if you aren’t sure it’s the right one. YOu have to feel confident in the club you have in your hand if you plan for it to make it to the target.
Take a second longer. Pick the right club and commit to the shot without hesitation.
“I always have bad luck on the course.”
Yes, there is luck in golf. However, you are never going to get all the luck each time you play. Keep making good swings. Keep thinking positively, and you will find that skill is much more important than luck.
“It’s just not my day.”
You will have good and bad days on the golf course. However, 18 holes is a long time to spend out there and be negative.
If you make a double bogey on the first hole, there is no reason to say the day has no hope.
Try to look at each shot as an individual chance to succeed. Remember that pars and birdies have a tremendous impact on your game.
Focus on making those good swings and feeling good shots, and you may be surprised how well your round turns out.
Another great tip here is to put away clubs that aren’t working. If it’s not your day because you are slicing every drive, put the thing away!
“This is such an easy shot, don’t screw up it.”
Take a look at any easy shot you have and use it as an opportunity to go low. Be positive and say things like, “great you set yourself up for a birdie, let’s get it.” Don’t let the negative get into your mind.
As soon as you bring in that doubt, you’re going to have a hard time pulling off the shots you need to.
Final Thoughts
The next time you head out to play, write down some of the thoughts you had on the course. Look at each one and see how you can turn it into a positive.
