This quote got me wondering about the interaction between the ‘playing’ or physical and pure ‘decision making’ elements of sport. A number of players often use phrases like the one above when giving a post-round interview but what is a mental mistake anyway? Is it as easy to quantify as Woods makes out? Is there anything here that could increase your awareness and help your game?
I’ve got a hunch that most players like to believe that some sort of robotic, ‘computerised’ thinking is possible and more to the point necessary in order to perform at the highest level. Yardage – wind – lie – COMPUTE – possible trouble? – ideal landing point? – PROCESS - ideal shot selection – select club – SEARCH MEMORY BANK…. etc etc. A mental mistake being a faultly INPUT into this process. Somehow this seems to get too far away (though not entirely) from the point of the game – get the ball in the hole, quickly.
So what is a mental mistake? Taking a driver when the hole is tight? Overshooting the green because you didn’t account for the wind? Hitting a shot when you’re not comfortable? Getting angry with yourself and hitting the next shot without much thought to your target? I believe most of what players might think of as mental mistakes may be more to do with over-thinking and being at odds with natural athletic instincts. I like players to consider the interplay between the type of thoughts they have during a round and how these thoughts allow them to use their athletic ability. Are your in-the-shot thoughts and processes getting in the way of playing with flow and ease?
