Golf is so much more than swinging the club; it’s a mental challenge beyond most average sports. For 18 holes, you need to learn how to win the mental aspect of the game and oftentimes battle nerves on the course.
The good news is that you can build confidence if you implement the right strategies. While you’ll still need to build a consistent golf swing, don’t neglect the mental game.
When you incorporate some of these mental game strategies, you’ll approach each round with poise and confidence. If nerves and frustrations do arise, you’ll have proven strategies to implement so you can stay focused and in control.
Golfing Under Pressure
Imagine a potential nerve wracking shot on the course – maybe the first tee shot near the putting green, a shot over water, or a putt to win the match. Do you tend to perform better or crumble under pressure?
If you’re the latter, don’t worry, you’re not alone. It happens to all golfers at some point, but oftentimes it’s not a swing breakdown but a mental one. Follow these five strategies to start taking control of your mindset and improve confidence fast.
1. Get a Game Plan
Confidence comes from having a plan on how to attack any golf course. Showing up and hoping to play well might sometimes work, but it’s not enough.
You want to do everything you can to set yourself up for a good round by having a solid game plan. Prepare for the round before you even get to the golf course by considering things like:
- Checking which tee box you’ll play from.
- Downloading the course on your GPS device or watch.
- Thinking about what clubs you’ll hit on each tee shot so you don’t have to think as much on the course.
- Setting a clear intention – never a score goal – for what you want to do that round. Maybe it’s sticking to your routine, getting over bad shots quickly, or always having a good green reading routine.
When you set a clear intention and show up prepared, you’ll arrive at the course feeling ready to go. Control what you can in advance to avoid panic at the course.
2. Warm Up Like a Pro
Once you’re at the golf course, focus on having a solid warm up. Too many golfers start the round flustered because they do not plan ahead and rush the warm-up or skip it entirely.
This is an easily avoidable situation when you plan ahead. Aim to arrive 30–60 minutes early, depending on your familiarity with the course.
Try to do the same set of rituals before every round to calm your mind and get into a rhythm. Here’s a good example:
- Start with short putts to build confidence.
- Spend plenty of time on lag putts to improve speed control and avoid three putts.
- Hit a few chips/pitches at the short game area to feel out the firmness of the greens.
- Use the same clubs in every warm up session, starting with wedges, then irons, then woods.
- Always end the day with the club you’ll use on the first tee shot.
Also, don’t fall into the trap of judging your warm-up or thinking it’s a practice session. A warm-up is just that, the time to warm up, not worry about mechanics.
3. Breakdown the Round
If you’ve followed the first two steps, you’re already more mentally prepared than 90% of golfers.
Next, make sure to focus on chunking down the round to three hole stretches. Avoid trying to stay focused for all 18 holes, as it’s overwhelming and unrealistic.
This will help you stay present, not worry about a bad shot or two, and avoid worrying about your overall score. Set micro goals like hitting one of two fairways or hitting two of three greens, etc.
After each hole, treat it like a fresh start, regardless of what happened on the previous one. When you break your round into mini rounds, it’s easier to avoid blowup holes and stay steady under pressure.
4. Control Your Self-Talk
Another mid-round mental game hack to take advantage of is your self-talk. Using empowering language and not beating yourself up is one of the easiest ways to master your mental game.
Never forget, your mind is listening to everything you say. If you’re saying things like “I’m a terrible putter” or “I can’t hit a drive to save my life” you’re not doing yourself any favors.
Instead, try to react naturally to situations. For example, if you hit a massive slice, don’t say “I always slice my driver. Say something like, “That shot went 30 yards right of my target.”
Being more neutral and not as judgmental makes it easier to avoid the emotional rollercoaster so many golfers ride during the round. Start saying things like:
- “One shot at a time.”
- “I’m clutch under pressure.”
- “Stay present and trust the process.”
When an inevitable bad shot happens, remind yourself it’s part of golf. Focus on your ability to bounce back and not let one bad shot dictate the rest of the round.
5. Conduct a Post Round Review
The final mental golf game tip to play better under pressure is to assess your game post round. Instead of whining about all your bad breaks, spend 5–10 minutes looking at what went right and what you could improve.
- Celebrate small wins, like no three putts or no penalty shots.
- Think about your best shots you hit, even if you felt nervous or uncomfortable.
- Identify one area to focus on in the next round and one area to work in practice. Maybe you hit two bad bunker shots because you rushed the shot. In the next round, focus on slowing down and maybe hitting a few of these shots before the round at the short game area.
More Tips to Stay Calm on the Course
Need a few more tips to manage your mental game? Try these strategies…
- Control your breathing. Make sure to take slow, deep breaths to calm your mind and lower your heart rate. More consistent breathing equals more consistent golf—a secret of the best golfers in the world.
- Stick with a routine. A set of pre-shot rituals will help you visualize the shot, commit to your target, and step into it with confidence.
- Laugh off bad shots. You’re not a pro, so don’t take the game too seriously. Sometimes a bit of levity can help avoid a blowup hole and keep things in perspective.
Playing Better Under Pressure
Finally, don’t forget that it’s normal to have nerves on the golf course. A lot of players think it’s a sign of weakness, but in reality it only means you care, which is a good thing.
When you stick to the process and follow these strategies, you’ll be able to stay in the present moment. This will help you get the results you want and play to your potential.
Next, make sure to read our guide with seven ways to visualize your way to better golf. If your mental game is solid, but your swing needs some work, consider joining Scratch Club.
