My Mental Game in Golf

I must admit— a primary reason I started golf was because it was less physically demanding than other sports. Personally, I dislike running back and forth to hit or kick a ball because it’s just too tiring for my body to handle. However, over the years, I’ve realized that golf is by far one of the most mentally challenging sports. Among the course layout, weather, other players, your swing, etc. there are SO many factors to consider and absorb in a round of golf, but it’s all about staying in the right mental game.

The real action is in the mind. You can go from scoring well and sailing smoothly to freaking out in a matter of seconds. That’s why it is incredibly crucial to attain these mental qualities for all, including me, to succeed in golf—and yes, the pros agree on this.

First, self-confidence. To play at your best, every golfer needs to be confident and certain they can hit their next shot well, even if the last shot was terrible. Having self-confidence means you are putting in your best effort in each swing or stroke, not hesitating or having doubts about yourself. This is what drives one in their mental golf journey. I am still working on my self-confidence. There have been so many times when I doubted my abilities and ended up playing poorly because of a previous bad shot. My coach often reminds me to be confident and ready whenever I am about to hit or putt the ball. Of course, it is not easy and the reason why many golfers are just below their full potential.

Also, having good composure is a critical skill. As humans, it’s natural to express our emotions in response to different situations or outcomes. In the same way, it’s instinctive for golfers to get frustrated, nervous, or angry after hitting a bad shot or experiencing bad luck on the course. The way to be set apart from emotional obstacles is to have good composure. Staying calm and redirecting your thoughts to become positive are keys to scoring well on the course.

Among other important skills are focus and control. Whenever I set up to hit the ball, it’s critical for me to focus only on my swing or stroke and block out distractions like my score, external noises, other people’s reactions, or other irrelevant thoughts. By honing in on my game one shot at a time—the process rather than the results—I can stay in the zone and maintain a strong mindset when playing.

Me practicing on the golf course

Overall, golf has contributed significantly to my inner development and growth. I have grown more mature in how I handle my emotions, especially under pressure or unfamiliar circumstances. I can adjust my focus to the overall process in various situations, instead of getting caught up in outcomes, details, or distractions, which only build up more stress. I often relate golf to a life journey. It’s filled with ups and downs, uncertainty, possibilities of failure, long and short-term goals, but also the enjoyable moments in between. You never know when you’ll win your next tournament or be cut in one of them next. But that’s what makes it so much more relatable because everyone experiences failure, and it really depends on how you approach it be firm in your mental game.