Want to Play Better Golf?
Get Into The Right Frame of Mind!

Think about what you normally do before you start a round of golf with your friends. Are you running your kids across town to soccer practice? Are you still sleepy from the poor night’s rest you had? Are you all jazzed up on six cups of coffee? Are you nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs because you’ve been chili-dipping the ball? No doubt you are in some state of mind before you start your round of golf. And more often than not, I would be willing to bet my Ben Hogan autographed book that it is the wrong frame of mind.
I know you have a busy life, but the key is to get into the right frame of mind before you step onto the first tee box. It is not always easy and takes practice. Remember, this is a game and it is supposed to be fun.
The first thing is to find out where your head is at least a half hour before you start your round. Are you feeling mad at your boss, frustrated with the kids? Did you just have a tiff with your spouse or did some crazy person just try to run you off the road? Are you having jitters because you’ve been topping the ball? Any and all of these things have an affect on you and your game.
What can do to get in the right frame of mind? Relaxing, being confident and having a positive energy flow is key. How do you feel inside when you play your best ? Think about it and go back to that time and place. All was right! But what about it was right? What were your feelings? Were you relaxed? Were you confident? Were you having fun? Did you trust your golf swing? Were you enjoying your golf partners?
Let’s say that you are a nervous wreck with a million thoughts, mostly negative, scurrying around in your head. How do you get from point A, the worry wart, to Point B, the focused golfer? Again, if this is your normal state before you play a round of golf, don’t expect to change this overnight. It is a process.
First, identify what is the norm for you. Are you usually rushing from work to go play golf? Are your thoughts somewhere else? Have you been struggling with your game and fear paralyzes you? Identify these fears before you play. Golf is a mental game! There is no cure-all golf gizmo or one right way to swing a club. Even if there was a correct way, your mind would interfere.
If you are having trouble identifying what you are feeling before a round of golf, pay attention to your emotions. We all get so busy in our daily activities that there is never time take care of ourselves. One way to find out what your feeling or thinking is to be quiet for five minutes. Listen and learn.
When they are nervous or rushed, most golfers generally play poorly. With practice, you can shake those feelings and change your state of mind before the round begins. When you feel out of sync or out of rhythm, just do your best to stay centered.
Here are some ideas on how to get into a different state of mind:

So how do you get to a more relaxed, calm state? When your brain is running 90mph before playing, your game will suffer. Take deep breaths to start. Swing the club between your finger tips at a slow easy pace to create tempo. You will have to practice what works for you.