A note on the mental game
How to strengthen your mental game by asking questions on the golf course.
Following on from my note on the 100 point criteria for rating golf courses, below is some information on questions to ask ourselves at the end of each game to keep our mental game “front of mind”, so to speak.
One challenge?
This helps you think about what you were up against on the course, and what you could work on next time.
One surprise?
Keeps your mind on the lookout for things that you don’t expect, attentive to internal and external changes.
Something the course taught you?
"Every day is a school day" - and this rings true especially on the golf course. What did you learn from your time today and how will you take this forward?
Three best shots?
Helps you develop a bias towards your strengths, retain them in memory, and play to them in future.
One bird / one birdie?
Strengthens the gratitude pathway. Prevents the mind from wandering to "unhelpful" thoughts, reorienting to the beauty of nature and being out on the course (and celebrating if you do land one!)
Favourite hole?
This one is hard, especially on amazing golf courses where every hole is unique! We ask this question because it stimulates conversation around what makes a hole great - in your opinion. Is it because:
It challenged you?
Had a spectacular view?
Swallowed three of your best balls?
The signature you've always dreamed to play?
Spoke to you quietly about which shot to play and you executed it to perfection?
With the mind open to the opportunity - this ensures you don't lose the memory of playing on a truly special course.
We find that asking questions makes you think differently about the game. It influences how you approach each shot, and you begin to pay attention to things that you may have taken for granted before. It helps remind us that it's not "just another day playing golf", but a whole ecosystem of experience to be engaged in.
Each time you play, try taking one mental game focus - just one - to keep you focused on what you can control, and improve your learning, enjoyment and performance each time you step out onto the course. For some strategies to use as this focus, see this article.
