5 Things I Learned Working with a Sports Psychologist
Your mental game has a monumental role in helping you play your best golf. As Gary Player said, “We create our success or failure on the course, primarily by our thoughts.”
In 2019, I decided to test my game at the Korn Ferry Tour Q-school pre-qualifying. I knew heading into the event I was one of a handful of amateurs in the field and most people were playing for their livelihood.
With so much on the line, I knew I had to be as mentally ready to give myself the best chance to succeed. I needed an expert - so I hired a sports psychologist, Jim Afremow. He’s the author of The Champion’s Mind.
Working together was a game changer; here are the five biggest things to help take your mental game to the next level.
1. Reframe Failures
One of the first things we discussed was my past performances in big events. While some were good, others were haunting memories that couldn’t seem to leave my subconscious.
When I described a few of the nightmare moments, he said, “That’s amazing, instead of looking at those moments as career defining, look at them as examples of your mental toughness. You’re still in the fight”
If you have a bad shot, bad round, or bad tournament that seems to stay in your mind, it’s time to reframe it. Instead of thinking of it as a bad scenario, simply reframe it and say, “This made me mentally tougher and I’m better off for it.”
2. Control Your Self-Talk
The second lesson is something I always spot in other players when I play in tournaments. Your self-talk, what you say to yourself, both internally and externally plays a massive role in playing your best golf.
So many golfers berate themselves and speak negatively about their performance, thinking it will somehow help them play better. In 99.99% of cases it doesn’t; I know from personal experience.
This tip is simple - never say anything out loud that you wouldn’t say to one of your playing partners.
3. Get Curious, Not Furious
Another great learning moment from Dr. Afremow came when we were talking about reacting to golf shots. He said that tension would be high at Q-School and to do everything in my power to not get overly emotional in the big event.
Instead of overreacting, he said to get curious, not furious.
Whenever you hit a bad shot, don’t get negative, slam your club, or pout - get curious. There’s something you can learn from every bad swing, it’s up to you to set yourself up to process it and move on.
4. Use Non-Technical Swing Thoughts
Most golfers never reach their potential because they try to play their golf swing instead of playing golf on the course. Meaning, too many people have technical, mechanical swing thoughts that don’t let them get in the zone and relax on the course.
Dr. Afremow told me that his elite players, including his PGA Tour guys, have one swing thought at most. Preferably, this is a non-mechanical swing thought too.
My only thought for Q-school was, “I have the smoothest tempo in the world.” This was my anchor during the round and something I focused on during my pre-shot routine.
If you need a swing thought to take to the course, make it simple and non-mechanical. Train your swing on the range so you can trust it on the golf course.
5. Always Maintain an Optimistic Attitude
The lesson is simple - control what you can control.
Every day you tee it up, you have a choice; have an optimistic attitude or a pessimistic one - choose wisely. As the great Payne Stewart said, “A bad attitude is worse than a bad swing.”
Wrapping Up
While I ended up missing the next stage of Q-School by two shots, my mental game was strong. I needed it too because the weather was brutal (90s with 90% humidity) and we had to walk so it was a long 54 holes.
Just remember, you can’t control a lot of things in golf but you always have the ability to control your mind. While putting in reps at the range and short game area are needed, don’t forget to prime your mind for success.
Here is a quick recap:
- Only say positive things to yourself.
- Minimize swing thoughts while playing.
- Get curious, not furious after bad swings.
- Reframe failures of the to become mentally stronger.
- Choose an optimistic attitude to play better and have more fun.
