Mastering the Basics of Golf

Mastering golf basics is mastering the game. Golf is a simple mental game to play, but difficult to master. Or, it is a simple game made complicated by golf players. Knowing the simple basics holds the key to ultimate golfing success.

A Simple Mental Game

Golf is essentially a mental game, involving the following:

• concentration

• focus

•  emotional control

Therefore, mastering golf basics and mastering the mind, master the game. Golfing success is just that simple.

The simplicity of the game is reflected in the way YOU think about it. Therefore, don't strive to come up with any complicated psychological theory about "how" you should go about hitting the ball. Master the basics. Simply go and hit the golf ball!

But simplicity is often too abstract, and intangible. So create a mental image to reinforce its vividness and actuality. Make it “real” to you. This is one of the first basics you need to master.

A Positive Attitude

A positive attitude is important to golfing success because it provides a positive momentum for your golf swing. According to behavioral psychology, the way you talk and walk produces the confidence needed for your positive attitude. Attitude is another one of the golf basics you need to acquire and master.

Of course, it is not that easy to acquire that self-confidence: you need efforts and toil. But golfing success is about your confident attitude, not your scores. It is one of the golf basics you have to master.

How do you embrace a positive attitude?

Give yourself a "pep talk" before, during, and afterthe game -- just like those motivational seminars, or daily inspirational talks in big corporations. 

Fostering a positive attitude is one of the golf basics.

 

Develop mental toughness to “talk” yourself out of a difficult situation, or to turn things around. Imitate the confidence of a role model golf player, if needs be.

Remember, golfing success begins and ends with your great positive attitude. It is earned through your determination and perseverance to stay positive at all times. As the saying goes: Keep your cool head, while others around you are losing theirs.

Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is believing in yourself that you can turn your golf game around when nothing seems to be going right for you.

Since the game is more than just the golf basics of hitting the ball, it involves knowing and believing in your vision of getting the ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible.

To illustrate, if you are going to change the way you are going to play the game, you must believe that it will work for you, and accept your personal responsibility for the consequence it entails. It is the "believing" and "knowing" that ultimately become the momentum for your swing, and the best asset in your golfing success.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau