I just wrapped up an 18-hole round, and overall, it was a beautiful day! The weather was perfect, and I had a great time playing golf with my friends. Just wanted to add a positive note to my post.
However, I’m looking for some advice. I’m a high handicapper, and while I was shooting really well for the first 12 holes, I completely imploded on the last 6. I ended up finishing with a score more in line with my usual play, which was a bummer since I was on track for my best round of the year. I went from losing no balls to losing one per hole, my putting average jumped from 2.2 to 2.7, and I struggled to get onto the green in two strokes from 100 yards out.
I’m curious how you all manage to stay mentally and physically in the game for a full round. Any tips or tricks to help keep your focus and performance consistent throughout all 18 holes?
Many people try to stay focused for the whole 4.5 hours, but that’s not realistic. It’s important to take short breaks to relax your mind. You can do things like eat, drink, look around, or chat with friends for a minute or two. Then you can get back to playing.
Thanks for the great comment! I’m pretty new to golf (this is my second year), and it blows my mind that my best score was when I played with my 4-year-old son. He was throwing golf balls into the water, and it was just fun!
You need to think about your shots, but not overthink. Whatever routine works for you, stick with it. For me, I focus for about 30 seconds before my shot, but after that, it can lead to negative thoughts.
I’m not very good either (I average around 90), so don’t take my advice too seriously
This is spot on … Even if you’re not hungry, a small snack like granola or fruit helps keep your brain focused. Another thing I like is coffee. I usually bring some cold brew to sip on during the round. I feel like the caffeine helps me stay focused for all 18 holes. I heard Phil Mickelson is a fan of caffeine during rounds, and I got that idea from him
You should focus on your game for about 60 to 90 seconds for each shot, and then relax the rest of the time. Create a good pre-shot routine to help you get in the zone before each shot or putt. Once you make a decision about where to hit the ball, stick with it. You can practice your pre-shot routine and concentration at the driving range.
I met up with an old friend last weekend to play 18 holes. I was so focused on catching up and having fun that I didn’t notice how well I was playing until we added up the score at the end. I shot a 74 on a really tough course that has given me a hard time before…
It sounds stupid, but being able to stay present and dedicated to every single shot for an entire round is one of the fundamental challenges of golf. It’s not easy and it takes practice …PRACTICE IT IS…
You got to reset after a bad hole. People usually stay focused when they’re playing well, but if you start overthinking things, it can lead to mental fatigue.