Fearless Golf: Conquering the Mental Game

comfortable final round lead the week before. He also was the only one nearly forty-four years old, which was too old to win the U.S. Open. And he was the only one who had won just one tournament in the previous four years.

    But Floyd was always one of the game’s great competitors. He learned a bit about himself in losing that lead the previous week, and he took some time to learn a great deal about how to play Shinnecock in the days leading to the championship.

    That self-awareness, that commitment, that resolve is what defines a champion in an eight-man tie in the final round of a major. Floyd’s words that day reflect that sense of confidence at the moment of truth.

    “I was in total control,” he said.

    I was never fast with any swing, which is phenomenal for me. I was walking at a speed in sync with my golf swing. I felt together. I was never upset, and I never let anything bother me. I stuck to my game plan and didn’t deviate.

    I decided I wasn’t going to deviate, no matter what. Believe me, every player looks at the scoreboard. You can’t miss it. I wish I didn’t have to look at it. It can make you change your plan. But today I never deviated.

    Thursday, we played in terrible weather, and that was as trying as shooting the blowout round. The thing was I continued to do my best and tell myself, “Don’t deviate.” I guarantee you I won the tournament on Thursday.

    I pride myself on being able to handle the pressure and control myself mentally. I’ve been known as a frontrunner. When you’re in front, I know you have to live with the emotions of leading. I know emotions. That’s what separates you on tour. Last week, I totally blew it internally. My wife, Maria, and I discussed it on the long ride out here Sunday night. At first I didn’t feel like discussing it, but you have to go back sometimes and counter a bad situation and make it into a positive learning experience.
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    As part of their routine, on each and every tee box, mastery golfers incorporate into their routine the question, “What is the best strategy for this hole?” If the mind automatically responds to internal questions, then a simple, “What is the best strategy for this hole?” is a great way to bring golfers into the present by staving off questions that lock them into the past or get them too far into the future. Think of it like a gavel coming down and bringing a meeting to order: The time for useless chatter is done; it is time now to get down to business. It gets them refocused on the golf course and playing mastery golf.

    at address: what is my target?

    Thinking about obstacles is fine before a round of golf because it fosters preparedness and guards golfers against the surprises that often lead to panic and fear. But one does not want to be thinking about obstacles right before or during a golf swing. Similarly, thinking about strategy for playing a particular hole is important on the tee box because it allows golfers to minimize the chances of getting into trouble. Hole strategy gives them a better chance of hitting the right clubs at the right time. But still, when preparing to hit a golf shot, golfers do not want to be thinking of strategy. Rather, they want their minds exclusively focused on making a fearless swing at a precise and specific target.
    The key question that brings golfers into the moment and gives them the best chance at making fearless swings at specific targets is to ask themselves before each and every shot, “What is my target?” When golfers ask themselves this question, their mind simply reacts. It focuses on a target in the distance. Once golfers are able to lock on to specific targets, they are then better able to trust their golf swings and simply hit to the target. When golfers are focused on targets, it means that they are not focused on swing mechanics, not focused on outcomes, and not focused on the past, future, or other golfers. Being in the present fosters asking the question “What’s my target?” Asking that question brings golfers into the present.

    Confidence Drill: Your New Mantra

    For those looking to further instill the principles of mastery golf in their games, the words “What’s my target?” need to reach the stage of a mantra. In Hinduism and Buddhism, a mantra is defined as a sacred verbal formula repeated in prayer or meditation. It is believed that when vocalized and focused the mantra has the power to become a reality. There is no more