Let me start by saying this—golf is just as much a mental game as it is physical. You can have the best swing in the world, but if your mind isn’t in the right place, your scorecard will show it. I’ve learned that the hard way, through plenty of shanked shots, missed putts, and rounds that spiraled because I couldn’t get my head right.
Golf has a way of exposing your thoughts, emotions, and even your patience. But the good news is, just like you can practice your swing, you can train your mind. Here’s what I’ve learned from my own journey with the mental side of golf, and how it’s helped me improve not only my performance, but also how I carry myself on and off the course.
1. Stay in the Moment—One Shot at a Time
One of the biggest mistakes I used to make was living in the future or the past during a round. I’d hit a bad shot and carry that frustration with me to the next hole. Or I’d be on hole 6 thinking about how I needed to birdie hole 18 to save my score. That kind of thinking will wreck your round.
Now, I’ve learned to focus on one shot at a time. That’s it. Not the last one, not the next one—just the one in front of me. When I keep my head in the moment, I swing more freely and trust myself more.
A bad shot doesn’t have to lead to a bad round—unless you let it.
2. Learn to Love the Grind
Golf will test your patience like no other sport. One day you’re striping it down the fairway, the next day it feels like you’ve never held a club before. It’s humbling, for sure.
But that’s part of what makes it great. If you want to get better at golf—or anything, really—you’ve got to learn to love the grind. The practice. The small wins. The quiet moments where it’s just you and the course.
I’ve come to appreciate those early morning range sessions and quiet afternoon putts in the backyard. Because progress happens slowly, and the only way to see it is to keep showing up.
3. Develop a Pre-Shot Routine
Your mind thrives on routine. If you’re doing something consistent before every shot, it creates a rhythm—and rhythm calms the mind.
I used to walk up to the ball and just swing without much thought. Now, I’ve got a little process: I visualize the shot, take a deep breath, settle into my stance, and pull the trigger. Same every time.
That routine grounds me. It gives my brain something familiar to hold onto, especially when the pressure kicks in. Whether I’m playing with my buddies or in a competitive league, that routine helps me feel ready.
4. Talk to Yourself—Not at Yourself
The way we talk to ourselves on the course matters. If you’re constantly saying things like “Don’t hit it in the water” or “You always mess this up,” your brain hears that—and acts on it.
I’ve worked hard on shifting my self-talk. Instead of focusing on what I don’t want to do, I focus on what I do want to do. I say things like “Smooth swing,” “Stay balanced,” or “You’ve hit this shot before.”
It sounds simple, but it’s powerful. If your inner voice becomes your teammate instead of your critic, your confidence goes way up.
5. Accept the Bad Shots and Move On
You’re going to hit bad shots. Even pros do. What separates the great golfers from the average ones isn’t that they don’t make mistakes—it’s how they respond to them.
I used to let one bad hole ruin the next two or three. Now, I take a deep breath, maybe give myself five seconds to be annoyed, and then I move on. You can’t control everything, but you can control how long you let it affect you.
Golf teaches you how to let go. And honestly, that’s a life skill too.
6. Play with People Who Push You in the Right Way
Who you play with makes a big difference. I’ve played with guys who are super intense and bring out my competitive side in a bad way—and others who keep it light, have fun, and still challenge me to be better.
Surround yourself with people who enjoy the game, respect it, and want to grow. That energy is contagious. It keeps your head in a better place, especially when you’re struggling.
At the end of the day, we’re all trying to get better, have fun, and enjoy the walk.
7. Practice Mental Focus Off the Course Too
The mental game of golf isn’t just for the course. I’ve found that things like meditation, deep breathing, and even reading mindset books (like The Inner Game of Golf) have helped me stay sharper not only in golf, but in business and family life too.
When you train your mind to focus, stay calm, and be intentional, it carries over into everything. Golf has made me more patient as a dad and more focused as an entrepreneur.
Final Thoughts: It’s More Than a Game
For me, golf isn’t just a sport—it’s a teacher. It’s taught me how to stay calm under pressure, how to handle disappointment, and how to focus on what I can control.
I’ve come to realize that improving in golf isn’t just about getting better with a club in my hand—it’s about growing as a person. And that journey? That’s what keeps me coming back, round after round.
So if you’re looking to level up your golf game, don’t just hit more balls—train your mind. Because the mental game? That’s where the magic really happens.