Decisions

TV golf commentators often use language that over-glamorises the simple process of decision making. “Game strategy” and “course management” tends to place emphasis on the whole round rather than the single shot in hand. The best ‘decision makers’ in most sports tend to play each shot/ situation on its merits rather than having an overall strategy for the round. I place a strong emphasis on a player’s decision making process and encourage the player to continually work on this aspect of his or her game.

In golf we have the potential advantage of a short amount of time to prepare and decide on an intention for each shot prior to taking our set-up. How you use this time is crucial to your ability to play well consistently. However, I often see players’ using the time before the shot in such a way that can have a negative impact on their chances for a successful shot; producing indecision, overly technical thinking, and a fearful approach.

I recommend that you pay attention to how you develop commitment on a shot. The next time you play or practice consider the following questions:

What does it mean for me to be committed on a shot?
What are some of the factors I need to pay attention to in order to feel committed?
What are the differences between being “really aggressive” and being “really committed”?

Common sense

I often hear the line that sport psychology is “just common sense”. I would go even further and say that the best sport psychologists I’ve seen achieve success with players largely as a result of helping players to think in the language of common sense more regularly.

From my experience with golfers, when it comes to competition or perceived pressure situations “common sense” isn’t very common. The player who is able to think clearly (and objectively) about future decisions and previous shots in the height of competition has a huge advantage towards playing successful golf.

I’m very keen on post-round reviews; one reason is for the opportunity to assess the best shots of the day, round-stats and areas needed to work on. In addition, and perhaps more importantly is the short time spent assessing the quality of a player’s decision making and response to shots: How much common sense were you applying to your decisions and post-shot thoughts today? What would be the “common sense” response in a particular situation?

Freedom…

I was reminded during a match recently that often amateur players approach golf with a mindset of ‘playing not to be embarrassed’; just wanting to get their shot out of the way as quickly as possible, avoiding any really poor shots.

There must be a better way. Surely, by very definition ‘playing’ any game should lead to enjoyment, creation, freedom, fun, and learning. Shouldn’t it? You’re not working after all? If you were to mark out of ten what your ratings were in your last medal round for those five headings, what would you score?

I’ve always been drawn to Bob Rotella’s notion of playing to play great that he often describes in his books. And yet, it always amazes me how hard this is to do and how often I notice myself playing with a mindset of ‘trying to not make mistakes’.

So what is an attitude of playing to play great? I believe it’s about being 100% committed to the shots you’re attempting (using your creative mind during shot selection), swinging with freedom to your target (knowing that by swinging freely you’re giving yourself the best chance to hit your target), being open to the possibility of having fun and hitting amazing shots (without placing yourself under huge expectations), and the ability to handle any result (and learn from it).

I’m convinced that this is not the same argument as playing aggressively versus playing defensively. The example of Tiger Woods’ last round in the 2006 Open at St. Georges could be used here; his play in that round could’ve been described as using a “defensive” strategy yet you imagine that his attitude was absolutely in the ‘playing to play great’ mode.

In your next round begin to be aware of your general approach to the game. How creative are you being? Are you swinging with freedom? What are you learning about your game? How would you hit putts if your only objective was enjoyment and fun?

Memento…

A friend of mine recently reminded me of a powerful question to ask yourself whilst playing competition golf. Standing on the first tee of a competition you have a choice; play as normal, destiny uncertain OR be transported to the 18th green standing over a tap-in to post an amazing score and win the event you’re playing in. The catch is that you won’t remember a thing about the round, only the score.

Which would you choose?

Is losing a few hours of your life worth it to gain a ’score’? What else are you seeking to achieve during a round of golf? How much enjoyment are you seeking by simply ‘playing’ the game? How are you spending the time you have between shots?

Confidence

What can you be confident in as you step out onto the course?

Perfect strikes? Deadly accuracy? Effortless holing out? Perfect golfing conditions? Is your confidence on the course at the mercy of how you’re scoring?

I advise players’ to continually think about what they could be 100% confident in all of the time before they go out and play and during a round. A player who is able to mentally affirm what they can be genuinely confident in “week in, week out” is in a strong position to perform to their potential more often. Consider the following over your next few rounds…

“I can be confident…”

In my ability to hold consistent swing thoughts
In my ability to choose what to think before and during each shot
In my process for deciding and committing to each shot
That I will learn something about my game
That I can choose to enjoy my time on the course
That I can choose the way I respond to poor shots
That I’ve prepared in a way that gives me the best chance of swinging well throughout the course of this round

Learning to learn

Staying aware during the process of the golf swing could be the most useful idea that you’ll ever come across. I’ve found the ability to shut off the mind and ‘just notice’ what’s going on during the process of a swing can really speed up learning and the better I can do this the more I can learn from my practice. Try it! Refuse to listen to the usual list of instructions that you typically think about during a swing and simply notice as much as you can. After some practice at this you should find some “that’s interesting” moments. Your awareness of what you’re doing begins to increase, blind spots begin to disappear and you can begin to truely advance. Practice in this mode becomes much more effective.

The point of routines

I find the idea of a “pre-shot” routine intrigues most golfers. I think what appeals most of all is the idea that good shots come from a recipe of waggles, practice swings and an exact number of tugs on the trouser. I often find that a player gets overly concerned with the external routine and ignores the main point of a routine; the internal or mental routine. Be absolutely clear on the purpose of a routine: getting your mind (and body) in the most effective state to make a great swing and hit a great shot. Another key mistake I see is only “using” a routine when playing in an important competition. Hence the routine used is not routine at all.

Some of the best routines will involve one or two key thoughts or questions (see last blog entry), complete immersion in the target and desired shape of shot and some sort of ‘pre-nuptial’ agreement that whatever happens with that shot is okay, you’ve given the preparation 100%.

Questions…

Noticing the questions we ask ourselves on the course can be very informative and an easy insight to our mental strength. Following a poor shot consider the difference between asking yourself, “Why do I play this game?” or “When am I ever going to hit one well?” and “What could I learn from that?” or “What worked for me on that shot?”

Are you already geared up to finding something that doesn’t work or you can’t do easily before you even step up to the shot? Set a task before you next play that involves being attentive to the successes (however small) that you make on each shot and throughout the round.

Golf; the most difficult sport?

I’ve heard people mention on numerous occasions that golf is the hardest sport to master. Looking at possible answers to why this might be the case could assist players’ in improving their performance.

Okay, 10 reasons that golf might be considered a difficult sport:

1. Many games in one; putting / chipping / long game demand fairly different technique and skill.
2. Length of time to play 18 holes.
3. 14 clubs; a range of equipment.
4. Never facing the same shot under the same conditions twice.
5. Social factors; not wanting to be embarassed, being ‘on stage’ when playing a shot.
6. Thinking time between and over shots.
7. Practice ranges don’t easily allow a player to simulate real play.
8. Pure difficulty of technique needed to hit a shot?
9. The ‘non perfect’ elements to the game; bumpy greens, irregular bounces and gusts of wind.
10. The expectation of playing to a standard score or handicap.

Flipping the coin over you could also read the above as ‘10 reasons why golf is such a great game’. Either way you look at it this is a good place to start exploring how we can improve golf performance.

Any thoughts?