As we enter a second lockdown in England, now is the perfect time to improve your mental game. With golf courses and ranges shut for the next month, getting out to practice will be difficult, so instead take the opportunity to work on your mental toughness and develop a winner's mind-set. For those of you who are sceptical here is a reminder why improving your mental game will help with your performance
Mental skills will help you to stay focused, relaxed and confident at critical moments in the game
Developing mental techniques will help you prepare effectively for competition, helping to alleviate doubts and nerves
Building confidence in your abilities will allow you to trust your swing and enjoy the game
Learning how to deal with setbacks will help you to release those negative emotions and come back stronger
Understanding your fears will help you to develop a antidote to overcome and prevent them from holding you back
Learn how to play under pressure and embrace the moment
So let's begin by assessing your mental game with a little quiz - score each question out of 5
How good is my pre-shot routine? (1 = hardly use, to 5 = use good routine on every shot)
How good is my course strategy? (1 = don't use, to 5 = follow a winning strategy)
How good is my visualisation for each shot/putt? (1 = non existent to 5 = clear picture)
How good is my alignment for all shots/putts? ( 1 = don't know to 5 = very good)
How well to I accept poor shots and let them go? (1 = can't let go hold on for several shots to 5 = moved on after shot and let go)
How well do I play in the moment? ( 1 = distracted by past or think about future to 5 = stay in the moment)
How good is my self-talk? ( 1 = berate myself and get angry to 5 = Remain positive and encouraging)
How well do I handle playing under pressure? (1 = choke to 5 = use the energy to excite)
When playing badly how likely am I to grind it out? ( 1 = give up easily and lose interest to 5 = keep motivated)
How often do I focus on my score? ( 1 = regularly to 5 = not at all)
How often do I have swing thoughts and start tinkering with my technique (1 = regularly to 5 = trust my swing)
How often do I compare myself to those I'm playing with, or try to keep up with their game? ( 1 = play ego golf to 5 = play my own game)
Tot up your score to review your mental toughness;
If you scored 50 and above- congratulations your mental game is incredibly strong
If you scored 40 - 49 - your mental strength is equivalent to a single figure mental handicap, making a few adjustments could save you shots
If you scored 30 - 39 - your mental handicap is in the range of 15 - 19. Using mental toughness strategies could help you to save 5+ shots in a round
If you scored 25 - 29 - your mental handicap is in the range of 20 - 28. Using mental toughness techniques would deliver quick results to your game.
If you would like to learn more and develop your mental toughness please get in touch by simply clicking on the link.
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