Do You Have the Confidence to Play Competitive Golf?

Competitive golfers are always in search of the elusive characteristic called confidence. For some, they had it and now have "lost it". Others, claim never to have had it, and aren't really sure what it is. Still more know what it is because they "see it in others", but don't think they have enough for themselves. Read about, watch, or listen to athletes as they talk about confidence, and how revered this trait is. The specific answer for optimal confidence is somewhat dependent on each person's own set of circumstances. Talent, opportunity, skill, luck, and many other factors can be plugged into the confidence equation. However, there are 4 steps you can use to instill the confidence of a championship golfer.

1. If you want to have the confidence of a champion, then begin training like a champion.

Confidence comes primarily from optimal preparation and a sense of having all the requisite tools in the toolbox to adequately address the competitive situations that might confront you. This means work hard on your technical, physical, and mental preparation, or be prepared to face the inevitable consequence of self-doubt and worry when faced with difficulty when performing.

2. Catch yourself doing things right.

Most of us, when asked, can recount a litany of things that we didn't do well the last time we were on the golf course. How many things can you recall that you did well? Most of us have expectations that we're supposed to do certain things when we compete, and fail to give ourselves the credit due when we do these (so-called) routine things. Every time you hit the drive into the fairway, make a four-foot putt, or hit a green in regulation is a positive accomplishment. How many deposits do you make in your confidence bank? If you're like most, you're certainly making plenty of withdrawals!

3. Strengthen your weaknesses.

Make an honest accounting of where you believe yourself to be weakest and do whatever it takes to improve. This can be a physical or mental area, and addressing the "weakest link" will boost your confidence. Virtually every player with whom I've worked has a particular area of his or her game that feels weak relative to the rest, and few people are willing to put in the extra time and energy to overcome this. It's usually more enjoyable and less frustrating to work on our strengths.

4. Measure yourself against your own criteria.

Many people allow their confidence to be shaken easily and quickly because of comparisons to others. How many of us have experienced the circumstance where we're feeling pretty good about our abilities, only to permit our egos to be bruised because someone else we see is faster, stronger, more consistent, or more proficient? This is toxic to our confidence, without regard to how we're performing. If, instead, we measure our performance based on our own realistic expectations and where we are developmentally, we are much less likely to be caught up in the race to be as good as someone else. Instead, we are in the race to improve ourselves and rely on our own standard to evaluate our gains and/or setbacks.

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 Beginners Game of Golf

A professional should give beginner golf swing instruction. In this... Read More

Are You Fully Committed to Playing Your Best Golf?

After taking golf lessons and/or attempting to make changes in... Read More

What Should Be Your Golf Training Priority?

This is a question that is often asked for the... Read More

Golf Swing Mechanics Can Be Improved Very Quickly

If you're like most golfers, you're always trying to duplicate... Read More

What Are the Best Exercises for the Golfer?

With all the talk about the players on tour getting... Read More

Unique Mental Challenges for Women Golfers

The game of golf provides trials for every player, independent... 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

Dramatic Effect Of A Stretching Exercise For Golf

A stretching exercise for golf is capable of revolutionizing the... Read More

Golf Swing Technique And How To Improve It

There are two approaches to achieving a better golf swing.... Read More

Golf Exercise And Stretch Program For Total Golf Performance

Golf exercise and stretch. This is a combination I use... Read More

Fitness For Golf Isn?t Just For The Pros

Fitness for golf is a common term on the television... Read More

Getting to the Core of the Problem with Your Golf Game

How do you fix it? Well, there's no magic core... Read More

Golf Stretching Exercises Have A Direct Impact On Your Drives

Golf stretching exercises have been known to have such a... Read More

Who Invented The Game Of Golf?

Well, who actually did invent the game of Golf? The... Read More

Golf and Life, A Story About Your Future Success

Preparing to tee-off on the par 4 tenth. (Internal dialogue,... Read More

Why Exercise Is The Key To The Correct Golf Swing Release

A poor golf swing release has been one of the... Read More

Instruction For Swingers (Golf)

Could your golf swing use some improvement? You are in... Read More

Golf Weight Training Is The Answer To Longer Drives

It is no secret that most of the male and... Read More

The Reason Why Clone Golf Clubs Are Worth It

When it comes to choosing a new set up of... Read More

Success in Golf and Meditation - The Same Skills?

When we say to people that you need the same... Read More

Secrets Of The Avid Golfer

Every avid golfer has got to be the sort of... Read More

Golf Tips ? Tips to Improve Your Putting

If you are seriously considering lowering your scores, then you... Read More

Learning To Play Golf With Fitness

Learning to play golf has now become the pursuit of... Read More

Essential Information on Choosing the Best Golf Clubs to Suit Your Game

Most golfers, whether a beginner or a pro, struggle when... Read More

Golf Core Exercises For More Power

Golf core exercises. You hear that phrase quite often on... Read More

Invest in the Right Equipment and Take Your Game to the Next Level

Golf is a $60 billion per year industry. Much of... Read More

A Golf Fitness Coach Equals Great Golf

Golf fitness coach. Have you ever considered one?and if so,... Read More

Fitness For Golf Is A Must For Senior Golfers

Fitness for golf is a common term and senior golfers... Read More

Golf Fitness DVD: Improve Your Game In Your Living Room

Plugging in a golf fitness dvd is a great alternative... Read More

Par and Beyond: Secrets to Better Golf

You've bogeyed your last hole, you are about to hit... Read More

Golf Strength Training Slows The Aging Process

Golf strength training is critical in slowing down the effects... Read More

Play Better Longer - Peak Performance For Golf!

The golf swing is a dynamic movement that demands precise... Read More

The Proper Golf Swing Technique

There is no doubt that the proper golf swing technique... Read More