Frustration can build up during a bad round. Here’s how to turn it off.
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I was recently playing in a charity pro-am when my game took a turn for the worst, but luckily I had a few tricks up my sleeve to help me save my round. And now, I am sharing my tips with you. Use these handy keys the next time you find yourself struggling to recover during a bad round.
1. Practice resilience
It is always obvious when someone has given up during a round. It usually starts as a change in behavior, negative self-talk, or a poor attitude. Over time, these small changes can turn into mistakes that add up to big numbers, and it can feel like your game is spiraling.
But you can regain some control by making an active effort to stay in your round. This can be something as simple as staying committed to your process, completing your entire pre-shot routine, and avoiding unnecessary risks.
You can even try shifting your focus entirely from the overall result. See if you can make the next hole in two shots, or hit the next fairway and green. This will help you stay present and in the moment.
2. Pay attention to your mistakes
Have you ever wondered why tour pros watch their shows so closely? This is because they are studying the flight of the ball so that they can identify the cause of the off-center hit. When they know what caused the loss, they know what adjustments they need to make in order to get the game back to normal.
This is something you can do in your game. I suggest working with a coach to figure out what causes your most common losses. Figure out if it’s setup, alignment, club face position, or something else. Then work with your instructor to develop a ‘band-aid’ or temporary fix for this error. That way, the next time you’re playing and this annoying bug sneaks back into your game, you’ll know what you’re doing and how to fix it.
3. Choose clubs you know you can hit
If things aren’t going well, one surefire way to turn things around is to hit the clubs you know you’re going to hit hard. That might mean giving up your 3-wood for a more forgiving club like a one 7-woodor hitting a shorter club that is designed to get the ball in the air. Choosing a club that is easier to hit will give you a positive momentum and boost your confidence.
4. Set smaller goals
When I’m having trouble on the course, I like to focus on a goal that’s easily achievable like hitting the center of the clubface. I find that small wins quickly change the momentum of the round and encourage my students to use this tactic to get their game back on track.
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5. Join your approach
Having contact problems? It’s always smart to take an extra club on your approach to the green. This gives you a better look at leaving these key shots close enough to make an up-and-down lie, two-putt, or worse.
However, there are times when leaving long shots can get you into more trouble, so before you choose your club, ask yourself three questions. Where is the pin? How much green should I work with? Are there any dangers around going green?
6. Focus on the controllable
It’s natural to get frustrated when your round isn’t going the way you’d hoped, but instead of letting that anger take over, try to focus on the things you can control. This will help you avoid explosions that take you and your party down. Plus, it’s a constructive outlet for your frustration, so you’ll likely snap out of your funk sooner.
7. Create better feel with practice swings
Practice swings are a great tool to use on the course if you’re trying to develop a better feel. Sometimes I use them to train specific movements in my swing, while other times I try to keep it simple and focus on clearing the grass cleanly. Regardless of their purpose, I always find that a few extra practice swings help me regain some confidence in my game.
8. Remind yourself, it’s just golf
When things seem bleak, I find it helps to remind myself that golf is a tough game and no one gets out unscathed.
Even the best players in the world experience bad days on the court, so it’s likely that your playing partners can relate to what you’re going through. Just remember they’ve been there too and you should be able to hold your head up for the rest of the round.
9. Be supportive of your play partners
If you want to get a future invite with your gaming partners, don’t forget to compliment their games. Often, I’ll see golfers get so consumed with their game, especially when things go south, that they forget to participate with the group.
Your score won’t matter even after you leave the parking lot, so try to be supportive of your playing partners as they navigate the course alongside you.
10. What can you do to improve?
As with any sport, golf is a game that is won and not given. On a day when your game is really hard, try to keep a note of your mistakes or areas of weakness in your game. Instead of seeing your round as a bad day on the course, change your perspective. Consider it an opportunity to audit your game and formulate a more productive practice plan for the next time you hit the range.
Try these the next time you’re struggling on the course. They may be just the thing you need to save your round.
