Don't let your mental game get away from you

The mental requirements of golf are as essential as the physical demands.

How you manage your emotions when you play, how you manage your approach to each shot, how to find the best pre-shot and post-shot routine are some of the “mental coach” sessions that will help any player improve their game. 

Golf is an individual sport where athletes spend several hours a day perfecting their physical performance. But many players neglect their mental health and fitness in their daily workouts.

Learning the fundamental skills of the game, putting, chipping, pitching, full swing, bunker shots will get you “into playing the game”.

The mental side of the game is what will help you sustain your competitive-edge. By developing your mental skills you will strengthen your physical and planned skills.

This can make the difference of how you play the game of golf.

There are many psychologists that ‘think’ they know the ‘answer’.

It is important to read a few books and find the best method for you.

Here is a summary of the best of the best that you should read and take on.

Bobby Foster

He developed the Mental Golf Workshop profile.

Bobby is a former teaching professional and golf coach at the University of South Carolina where he had several All-Americans, including four players who played on The PGA Tour.

He is a certified behavioural analyst specializing in the DISC behavioural style model. 

The system generates personalized information for working on your mental game just as video and launch monitors produce personalized information for working on your swing and customizing your equipment.

The profile works great for self-coaching as well as for collaborating with your instructor or coach.

The Mental Golf Workshop profile provides a review of the detailed descriptions of your mental golf tendencies and customized strategies for these areas of your game.

I use this system with the Titleist Performance Institute for assessing mental fitness.

Dr. Deborah Graham

She is a licensed counseling psychologist specializing in golf performance.

Her client list includes over 350 players on the PGA, LPGA and Champions Tours.

Her findings identified right critical traits important for success in golf and forming the foundation of the GolfPsych mental game training system.

These studies and their Tour experience resulted in the book The Eight Traits of Champion Golfers.

This is a good book for the more experienced player wishing to understand key parts of the mental makeup.

Lynn Marriott/Pia Nilsson 

Lynn Marriott is regarded as a pioneer in the world of sport.

After more than 20 years on the leading edge of how golf is taught, Lynn is today globally recognized as co-creator of the VISION54 principles, best-selling co-author and world-renowned Complete Game Coach.

While Lynn’s knowledge of the golf swing is unmatched, her heartfelt and intuitive approach to coaching golf and integrating its elements has created a powerful shift in the games and lives of golfers, coaches and individuals around the world.

She is my personal favourite and this book is possibly the best book ever written on the game of golf. Every shot must have a purpose is a real must read for anyone that wants to get the most from their game.

This book is ideal for a beginner or a tour player as it deals with ‘how to’ rather than getting too hung up on unnecessary details.

Dr. Bob Rotella

Internationally known for his work in the area of applied sports psychology, Dr. Robert Rotella is consistently recognized as one of the world’s leading sports psychologists.

Dr. Rotella has dedicated his life to helping coaches, athletes, business leaders, and salespeople use their minds and emotions to take them to the top of their chosen professions.

He has been selected as one of the Top 10 Golf Teachers of the 20th Century and has directed the University of Virginia graduate programme for over 20 years. He has written many books, all of them well worth a read.

Dr. Rick Jensen

Has just published his book Easier Said than Done, which is as much a book about life as golf.

His key point is that you need to be skilled before you even think about training your brain is very refreshing.

He talks about the 12 truths for playing better golf, which deserves every serious golfers’ attention.

The mental game can be as important as the swing and other skills. Reading a few books to help understand how to become a better player is key.

My number one recommendation is the Pia Nilsson book as every shot must have a purpose.

It is fairly simple to digest, especially the first half of the book, and is suitable for players of all standards. It is so good I have bought many copies to give to my pupils.

The truth is there are no magic fixes, but there are numerous ways of getting in your own way. 

* Paul Adams is the head professional at Tucker's Point Club