Golf is as much a mental game as a game of physical skill. Although practice is important, devoting hours of practice to your physical game while neglecting attitude and concentration won't necessarily improve your skill. To improve your attitude and concentration in golf, you need to focus using the right mental approach.
Positive Self-Talk
Your stance, club choice and swing are almost as important as your self-talk. Walking to a ball muttering to yourself that you can't make the shot, the shot is too difficult or another negative message will sabotage you even if you're a very good player. Believe in yourself, knowing that your game is up to the challenge of whatever lie you find for your ball. Use positive self-talk to empower yourself on the course.
Let Bad Shots Go
Every golfer hits a bad shot, whether he's a course champion or a novice. Poor shots cannot be replayed, but if you dwell on them, you impair your mental preparation for what's happening right in front of you, or the shot you're about to make. Move on from a bad moment and leave it in the past; concentrate on the present game. In addition, if you focus on a bad shot, it may appear to other players as if you are sulking.
Play Safe
You know your game. If a particularly difficult hole includes a water hazard at about the length of your drive off the tee, lay up rather than trying to force the ball over the water. You know you can hit a shorter shot, but if you regularly drive the distance to where the hazard lies, it's unlikely you'll hit a longer shot. Play the game you can play, not the game you wish to play. Be smart and make safe shots to prevent frustration, which can lead to a poor attitude and ruin your focus and concentration on the pleasure of the game.
Ignore Other Players
Golf is a social game, played in foursomes or twosomes. However, the game itself is that of a solitary player moving a ball toward the hole. If you need advice, ask for it, but don't let unsolicited advice ruin your concentration. Ignore other players' comments on your swing, the hole, the conditions or any other element of the game. Unsolicited advice makes you doubt your game, your shot, your clubs and the other myriad details that go into a successful golf game. This doubt eats away at your concentration and focus.
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