5 Keys to Mental Toughness for Junior Golfers

If you have any interest in seeing first hand the impact that mental toughness has on sport performance, go no further than the PGA or LPGA Qualifying tournaments or "Q-School". Each year for the past several years, I have worked with players on site during this event. A great many of the conversations that the players have are a rehashing of their performance this past year on the PGA, LPGA, Nationwide, or mini-tour circuits. What I have heard frequently are things that could help the junior golfer get a head start in his or her career.

In attempting to describe why they hadn't reached their outcome goals for the season I hear these professional players repeatedly talk to one another about "trying too hard", "not letting it happen out there", "playing tentative" and many other frequently used mental game phrases. The challenge for many of these professionals is not only to sharpen their swings and putting strokes for this critical week, but to sharpen their mental games as well. The players who do well in Q-School are the ones that will follow some basic rules about the mental game. Each of these also has application for the junior golfer:

1. Keep each shot in perspective. This is especially true in a 108-hole tournament. Q-School, of all tournaments, is understood to be a marathon and not a sprint. There is no rational reason to be unnerved by a bad hole or two. Similarly, the junior golfer has years and years of opportunities ahead. There is no particular shot in any tournament that is "life or death".

2. Focus on the task rather than the outcome. This is probably the most difficult of the "basics" for players to follow. It is natural to think about the result and then the consequences of the result. This thinking will not help get the job done. Whenever these thoughts come to mind, replace them with thoughts of the immediate task at hand.

3. Breathe. Even the best in the world get tense in this type of situation. That tension can increase a player's tendency to hold his breath in anticipation of a shot or a putt. This then impacts muscle tension even more, and potentially affects his ability to swing the club smoothly. Deep breaths = slower heart rate and less physiological tension. Creating a habit of doing this as a junior player will be invaluable as your golf career progresses.

4. Remember that you cannot control things. Anyone who plays this game knows that something unexpected happens in nearly every round. A great tee shot lands in a divot, a club you've been hitting well all week suddenly starts getting shaky, or a two-foot putt is missed. The successful players in Q-School and elsewhere will recognize that they have control only over their preparation and reactions, and not over anything else. If they know they've prepared the best they could for each shot, and know that they are capable of controlling their reaction after each shot, they've done all they can possibly do to achieve their goals. Move on to the next one.

5. Play to succeed. Nearly every year there is a player or two held up at the end of Q-School as an example of a late tournament collapse. In nearly all of those instances, the player interviewed will speak of having thoughts of "trying to hold on" or "trying not to make a big number". Many players will have a tendency to play to avoid mistakes and/or prevent something bad from happening. The players who are successful are those who are confident in their abilities to go out and get the job done, and will be playing to succeed rather than to avert failure.

These mental game essentials will help you as a junior player ingrain habits that can help you reach the ultimate golf goals for which you strive!

Jeff Troesch, MA, LMHC is an internationally recognized expert in the mental side of golf. As the former Director of Sport Psychology for the David Leadbetter Golf Academies, Jeff has worked with thousands of golfers nationwide and brings a wealth of experience to seasoned golf professionals as well as the recreational golf lover. You may contact Jeff directly through his website, http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.

---

The Impact of Golf Specific Exercise

Golf specific exercises are part and parcel of the modern... Read More

Important Mental Perspective For The Senior Golfer

One would be hard pressed to find an individual who... Read More

A Lower Body Golf Swing Can Generate Maximum Power

The perfect lower body golf swing involves the legs to... Read More

Simple Golf Warm Up Exercise

Golf warm up you say? Aren't you supposed to rush... Read More

What Night Golf Ball should I use for my Glow Ball event?

Believe it or not, there are three different types of... Read More

Tiger Woods, the Greatest Ever? ?NOT!

Tiger is great but still a long way from claiming... Read More

Controlled Body Movement The Key Essential For Your Golf Game

Basic body movement is essential in any sport. Of course... Read More

Strength Training For Junior Golf

Much debate has occurred about kids and strength training. There's... Read More

Golf Shots Versus Golf Swings - You Need Shots On The Course!

Why do so many golfers hit a shot and immediately... Read More

Why Do You ?Not Benefit? From Coaching Golf Tips

Most golfers have had dozens of opportunities to receive coaching... Read More

Womens Golf Performance Is Directly Related To Strength

Womens golf is not much different than mens golf, but... Read More

Golf on Historic Rice Plantations of South Carolina; a Special Treat! Plan Your Next Golf Vacation!

Nothing could be finer...Just a few short miles south of... Read More

How To Select A Unique Golf Gift

To select a truly unique golf gift for somebody, it... Read More

Golf Nutrition Is Not An Oxymoron - Listen Up

Golf nutrition is still a relatively new concept. However, everybody... Read More

Shoulder Stretches for Golf

Performing shoulder exercises and stretches are important to ensuring that... Read More

Annika Sorenstam- The Legendary Female Golfer

Even those not normally interested in golf, usually recognize the... Read More

Guide To Buy Used Golf Clubs For Beginner Golfer

If you are just starting out to play golf, you... Read More

How To Get Hybrid Wood Golf Clubs On A Discount

There are lots of attention getting into hybrid golf clubs... Read More

How Important Is Your Golf Swing Release

An optimal golf swing release has a lot to do... Read More

Play Golf in Bed to Improve Your Game

I am always looking for new and easier ways to... Read More

How Golf Training Can Transform Your Game

Golf training has been brought to the masses thanks to... Read More

The Secret To Beating Tiger Woods At Golf ? And, Its Correlation To Success In Business!

The game of Golf, although difficult to master, can nevertheless... Read More

Golf Stretching Secrets to Improve Performance

The trend in larger and therefore heavier club heads in... Read More

Golf Tips Discover The Magic

Golf is a physical and a mental game. There are... Read More

The Golf Channel Highlights Fitness

If you're a Golf Channel addict or merely an avid... Read More

3 Easy Changes to Shave Strokes from Your Golf Game

Here are 3 easy golf tips that will immediately give... Read More

Golf Schools Require Golf Fitness

Are you planning on attending a golf school on your... Read More

Tiger Woods Wins Again

Tiger Woods today strolled to his second British Open Golf... Read More

How A Golf Workout Routine Can Crush Your Competitors

A golf workout routine can be as simple as using... Read More

The Most Valuable Golf Swing Secret

There is no doubt that executing the perfect golf swing... Read More

Picking Your Golf Equipment Picking Your Golf Equipment

Looking for quality golf equipment but not sure you want... Read More

How To Get Your Golf Technique Right

There is really no doubt about just how important the... Read More

Mental Toughness Training for Golfers: How to Conquer Pre-Game Jitters

The first tee shot can often make or break a... Read More