Frustration on the golf course could be the result of unrealistic expectations of your game. When you set high standards that aren’t readily attainable, you will constantly experience failure and frustration. It is important to acknowledge that you will hit bad shots. Blaming yourself and feeling angry only increases the chances that you will make even more mistakes because you will be on an emotional roller coaster.
You will experience less frustration and be more relaxed if you do not demand perfection from yourself. Don’t make your missed golf shots the central theme of your thoughts. The more you replay your missed shots in your mind, the more you deplete your mental and physical energies to play good shots.
Options for lowering your frustration level:
- Choose to hit shots that you know you can pull off successfully. Failing to pull off the “miracle shot” can result in frustration.
- Be realistic about the distance you can hit your clubs and don’t expect to hit the maximum distance every time.
- Use your missed shots as an opportunity to focus on recovering well.
- Realize that you cannot change your missed shots, but you can change the thoughts that upset you.
- A round of golf is very seldom all good or all bad. Focus on the good shots that you have hit.
- Have the feeling that golf with all its ups and downs is a fun game to play!
If you would like to improve your mental golf game, call Joan for a complimentary 15-minute consultation. She can be reached by phone at 828-696-2547. Strategies to improve your mental golf game are available on the PMI website, where you can sign up for a free mental golf newsletter and purchase self-hypnosis mental golf CDs.
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