The Golf Psychology Section
The Improve Your Mental Game Series...
This topic in the mental game of golf series, considers the subject of on-course decision-making, and the fear of the hazard.
The Art Of Decision-Making
One of the reasons for indecision on the golf course is what is known in sports psychology parlance, as 'fear of the consequences'.
What that means, is that when sizing up a shot, are you thinking about where you do want the ball to go, or where you don't want it to go?
This is The Fear Of The Hazard Syndrome. The fear of the water; the sand; the deep rough; the trees. We fear the consequences of putting our ball in these hazards. We fear dropping a shot or two. The hazards are having their effect on our thinking. As they are designed to do!
And all the hazards have to do, is just be there. Doing nothing. Just being sand; or water; or rough; or trees. We fear them, but they have no feeling for us!
We tend the exaggerate the fear of the hazards. Remember - if you put your ball into a hazard, start to trust yourself to get out of that hazard.
Develop the shots you need to play out of sand, or a bad lie. Begin to have confidence in your game. Trust yourself. So, your in sand? Well, find the shot to play out of sand. If you don't have it, then practise until you do.
So, the key, always, is to focus on what you do want. Yes, only what you do want. Be very clear about the shot you want to make. Think precisely about the shot you want. Focus exactly where you want the ball to go. Exactly where. Not in the general direction. But pick an exact spot. And then commit to that shot. Fully.
This will create a positive, simple mind set, with more certainty, more great shot making and more successful outcomes. And, speed up your decision-making!
Remember - focus on what you do want, rather than what you don't want.
Return To - Golf Psychology: Improve Your Mental Game Series
Martin Perry - Confidence Coaching & Sports Psychology - 0044(0) 77897 56425
