The Golf Shrink

The mental game of golf is one of the most unique aspects of any sport. It is not the instinctual response that athletes in most other sports have to have, but instead it really is just learning how to deal with the difficulties that a round of golf provide, and understanding different elements of golf that force your game to change on the spot, like conditions and different lies. Of course, there also is the motivation to practice the game that is an aspect of the mental game, but it largely focuses on how important it is to stay patient and maintain consistency even after a frustrating shot.

“Let’s face it, 95 percent of this game is mental. If a guy plays a lousy golf he doesn’t need a pro, he needs a shrink.” -Tom Murphy

This quote accurately explains that golf is really a mental game above anything else. While physical conditioning helps, it is not a precursor to success. Many athletes who could run a marathon, bench press large amounts of weight, or throw a ball one hundred miles per hour could not break par if they tried. Practicing with golf driving range mats, golf pitching mats, and on putting greens will help with your game, but the most important part of golf is maintaining a level head and staying patient. The most important thing is not to compound a mistake with another mistake, because, let’s face it. Nobody is good enough to not make on mistake in a round.

Putting is the most stressful and difficult aspect of golf. Most professional golfers live and die on the putting green as they often can find the green with either their drivers or irons without much problem as long as conditions are normal. In fact, most golfers would admittedly say that the weakest part of their game is their putting.

John Daly commented on putting when he said that, “I enjoy the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the gallery when I hit my drives. But I’m getting pretty tired of the ‘aaws’ and ‘uhhs’ when I miss the putt.”

This quote fairly accurately describes the attitudes of many golfers on and off tour. Of course, the average golfer struggles to find ways to improve their putting because they do not spend time to actually go on a putting green and putt. Also, many golfers do not utilize golf practice mats, including a golf pitching mat or golf chipping mat in order to work not only on putting but other less noticed parts of the game.