Adopting the right attitude and strategy is essential in any sport, but in golf the mental aspect of the game is particularly important; in fact it is often said that the most difficult 6 inches on the golf course is the space between your ears!

Espana-Golf has put together 10 tips that can help improve the mental side of your game, some you may have heard before, some you probably won’t.

1. Positive Thinking

Negative thinking can be your biggest enemy on the golf course. You must convince yourself you can make every shot and focus on what you want to happen, not what could go wrong.

Even a bad shot can provide something positive; if you ask yourself what went wrong and why, this information can help improve your game in future.

2. Focus Your Attention

Ensure that you focus your attention on the shot you are about to take. Do NOT allow yourself to think about other factors such as:

- Your overall scorecard
- The importance of the competition
- Spectators or playing partners
- Your last shot

Obviously this is easier said than done, but think of the professional golfers who are able to constantly perform well under enormous pressure, they do this by keeping their attention focused on the task at hand.

3. The Pre-Shot Routine

Adopting a pre-shot routine is a highly recommended technique which is utilised by most professional golfers. Focusing on a pre-determined set of thoughts or movements will help ensure your attention remains on the shot at hand.

The pre-shot routine differs from person to person, so create one that suits you. 
An example of a pre-shot routine could be:

• Look at the target
• Take a deep breath
• Set up to the ball
• Visualise the shot you want to execute
• Take a practice swing
• Make the shot!

It is not important exactly what you do, only that you get into the habit of doing the same routine every time.

Click here to see the pre-shot routines of some professional golfers.

4. Setting Goals

In golf, as in any sport, if you want to improve your game, it is important to define a set of goals.  Goals should be positive, specific, measurable and should ideally have a time-scale: so that “I want to be able to get it round this course in under 80 within the next three months” is a much more sensible goal than “I need to stop making so many stupid mistakes”.

Goals should be based on performance not outcomes: it is better to have a goal of achieving a certain score, rather than winning the game. If your goal is always to win, even if you achieve your best ever score for a course, you will still see it as a failure if the other player performs better.

Pressure from yourself or others can lead to you setting goals too high, whereas a lack of self-confidence can cause you to set them too low. Take the time to ensure any goals you set are achievable within a realistic timeframe, thus giving yourself a consistent feeling of self-improvement.

5. Imagery - Visualizing the Shot

On the course, playing out a successful shot in your mind before taking it is a great way to stay focused and positive.

We can’t all be on the course every day, but simply imagining shots can improve performance. When practicing a sport, pathways in the brain and nervous system are strengthened thus improving performance – but even if the sport is played in the mind, the correct pathways in the brain can be improved.

Imagery can also be a great way of preparing for instances you have never experienced before (e.g. playing in front of a large crowd).

6. Getting in “the Zone”

“The Zone” or “Peak Performance” is a state of complete concentration where you are able to perform to the absolute best of your ability almost unconsciously and without effort.  To be able to get into this state-of-mind should be the ultimate goal of any efforts you make to improve your mental game.

Many golfers have experienced this state by chance but, through mental training, it can be possible to enter this frame of mind at any time. Being relaxed, focused and using a pre-shot routine can help, as can the use of imagery. The methods described in the remainder of this article can also be used to allow you to get into “the Zone” at any time.

7. Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)

NLP is a widely used and powerful form of applied psychology which comprises a set of ideas and techniques applicable to any situation where personal development is required (e.g. social skills, business, sport etc.).

A key concept in NLP is that “there is no such thing as failure, only feedback”; this could certainly apply to an unsuccessful shot – which should be seen as a learning experience.

Many golfers have successfully used NLP to improve their game; it can help with:

• Setting goals
• Positive thinking
• Motivation
• Getting into "the Zone"

More information about NLP can be found here.

8. Hypnotherapy

In Hypnotherapy, patients are put into a relaxed, trancelike state, the idea being that they are thereby more open to suggestions which can cause changes in behavior. Self-hypnosis is also possible if you take the time to learn the technique.

Hypnotherapists are widely employed by sporting professionals; a famous example being that of the Russian team at the 1956 Melborne Olympics who took no less than 11 Hypnotherapists with them to the competition!

The highly mental nature of golf means that hypnosis has become extremely popular with golfers. Hypnotherapy can use imagery techniques to help golfers improve their game; it can also be used to teach them how to get into “the Zone”.

For more information regarding hypnotherapy click here.

9. Zen

Zen is a form of Buddhism that originated in China in the 6th century and is fast becoming increasingly popular in the West. It focuses on direct experiences rather than beliefs; fundamental to Zen is the practice of “Zazen” meditation, which allows one to “live entirely in the moment” – undistracted by any unnecessary thoughts.

But how can this apply to golf?

Employing Zazen type practices on the golf course can allow golfers to feel in “the Zone” at all times. In fact, the states of mind associated with Zen are often compared to the experience of being in “the Zone” during sporting activity.

More information about Zen can be found here; or, for an interesting article on Zen and Golf, click here.

10. Autogenics

If Zen sounds all a bit spiritual to you, then you may like to consider Autogenics.

Autogenic therapy comprises of a set of mind and body techniques that can reduce stress and improve relaxation. Autogenics can allow you to achieve “detached awareness”: a relaxed yet entirely focused state of mind – ideal for golfers!

Autogenics has had a lot of success among sporting professionals, resulting in improved reaction times, coordination and performance. It is not currently widely used in golf, but autogenic therapists have recently reported encouraging results with golfers.

For more information about Autogenics, click here.