In other sports, such as basketball or volleyball, we often react to the ball and the movement of the ball. In golf we have to be the reactor. We have to try to TRUST that all the practice we do will produce the shot we see in our minds. Easier said then done, right?

Sometimes we tense up and we see ourselves hitting a bad shot. Or we were focused on the result and not making a relaxed swing at the target. Which means we hope to hit the shot, not feeling confident but scared and nervous. This can happen if a player is not quite hitting the ball well in practice or hitting the ball a little inconsistent. So a player may not be feeling a good swing, and then comes the worry or anxiety.

So what should one do in this situation? The best thing to do is to do the best you can when you are playing. Try to stay in each shot and use your swing feel that you have been practicing on the range and when you are playing a casual round. Also be very specific with your intended target, like a tree or the pin or the front of the green. This means you don’t just think it, you feel it.

You must commit to the thought and feeling and be patient. Which means if it doesn’t come as planned, don’t panic, That’s GOLF!

Mental toughness is about being patient, being optimistic, putting a bad shot or hole behind you and not jumping ahead to the end of the round and the score. Keep plugging away. If you are not playing well it is not the end of the world, you will have plenty of opportunities to do well.

Each shot you try to play is just another opportunity to hit a great shot. It doesn’t mean you will hit one, but each shot is an opportunity…be patient, breathe and try to have fun.