7 Habits That Can Help You Become A Highly Successful Golfer
Thursday, August 10th, 2017Successful golfers tend to have a few things in common. They understand that golf is a game of mental fortitude, constantly return to practice the fundamentals, and always practice the correct way. There are many other things you can do to help you play like a professional. Here are seven key habits that most highly successful golfers share.
Practice the right way
Inexperienced golfers can wind up wasting hours of their life by practicing the wrong way. You can drive balls at the range until you are exhausted and come away feeling like a master. However, your range game does not always transfer to the course. Highly successful golfers practice in ways that simulate course conditions and challenge their skills. Driving a bucket of balls one after the other at the same target is nothing like actual golf itself. When you practice, you should work on every area of the game. Consider how you practice and look for ways to make changes to your routine and challenge yourself.
Stay in the present moment
Most golfers will tell you that the game of golf is 90% mental. It is a game that requires you to be in the moment, focusing your undivided attention on the task at hand. That means when you step up to hit the ball, your mind should be free of distractions. Don’t worry about your score or criticize how you are playing. Focus all of your energy on the process of your swing, and when you hit the ball, don’t over analyze it on the walk. If this is an area you struggle with, consider researching tips on mental strategies to stay in the present moment.
Continue to practice the basics of golf
Fundamentals are the foundation of a good golf game, and successful golfers understand this. Everything from how far away from the ball you stand to how you grip the club matters. This is especially true when it comes to how you manage to align to your target. The basics are more important that just attempting to swing the club right way. Any player can fall into bad habits, so constantly working on your fundamentals will keep your game in the best shape possible.
Play with visualization
If you are keeping up with your practice and paying enough attention to fundamentals, eventually, a good swing will become second nature. Highly successful golfers will visualize exactly how they want the shot to go, including how the ball will react when it lands. This kind of visualization has a huge impact on your game. It also helps you stay in the present moment by quieting the mind so your subconscious can play the round. Conscious control and technical thoughts simply do not work as well in visualization.
Work on a highly repeatable pre and post-shot routine
This goes back to preparing your body to play golf by feel, rather than constantly concentrating on mechanics. Every highly successful golfer performs the exact same routine both before and after every shot. Not only does a routine prepare your body for the physical motions, it keeps your mind busy so negativity does not creep in. This is especially important when you are about to make a shot, as the routine normalizes the swing, making it feel comfortable.
Remain calm, even under pressure
A successful player knows how to stay calm when their nerves begin to turn to panic. If you get too nervous, it will affect your performance every time. Some golfers practice breathing techniques or create a place to go in their head between shots. Find what works to you and understand that being self-aware can make or break your golf game.
Understand the power of acceptance and moving on
When the shot has been made, good or bad, successful players know they have to accept it and move on. Ideally, everyone wants to perform the best swing possible to put the ball in the perfect position. However, if it doesn’t go the way you want it to, there is no benefit in getting frustrated or disappointed. If your swing does not go well, take a deep breath, put your club back in the bag, and get your mind back to the present. It is important to keep your mind clear so the rest of the game can go as planned.
For more information about how to become the most successful golfer you can be, contact the experts at The Academy of Golf Dynamics. Give us a call today at 1(800) 879-2008 or Contact Us by email to learn more about our Schools, Instructors, and Facilities. We are located at 1700 Kahala Sunset Dr in Spicewood, TX near Austin.