Mental Game · Tip
Play Your Game, Not Your Opponent's
Part of our mental game programs for no routine. Build a program with it
Playing with someone better can push you to change. Swing harder. Go at flags you'd usually skip. Try to top every great shot they hit. Don't. Commit even more to your own game. If you win with steady drives, center-of-green irons and two putts, keep doing that. Jot down three short cues before you start. One for tee shots, one for approaches and one for putting. Go back to them when you feel uneasy.
Step by step
- Ignore your opponent's reputation.
- Keep your usual strategy.
- Write a tee-shot cue.
- Write an approach cue and a putting cue.
- Use them when nervous.
Why it works
Your usual swing and strategy are built around the shots you can repeat. When you swing harder or aim at tight pins to match a better player, you add speed and risk that your motion has not been trained for. That widens your misses and costs more strokes than the other player's good shots ever gain them. Short cues give your mind one simple job on each shot, so nerves have less room to change your routine.
Common mistakes
- Swinging harder after your opponent hits a long drive.Use the same tempo and the same club you would choose when playing alone.
- Aiming at a tucked flag because your opponent did.Pick your normal target, which is usually the center of the green, and stay with it.
- Writing cues that are vague or too long, like 'play well'.Write one short, physical or target-based cue for each of tee, approach and putting, such as 'smooth tempo', 'middle of the green' and 'roll it past the hole'.
How you'll know it's working
- Your tee shots finish in play at about your usual distance, not shorter from a rushed swing.
- Your approach shots land on the green's middle more often than in bunkers or short-sided spots.
- You can say your cue before each shot and your pre-shot routine takes the same time as usual.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice this in a casual round with a friend of similar level, and write only one cue for the tee shot first.
Harder: Use the three cues in a match against a clearly better player, and keep the same routine after you lose a hole.
Common questions
How do I stop trying to keep up with a better golfer?
Decide your strategy before the round and write it as three short cues. When you feel the urge to match their shot, read the cue and play your planned shot.
What should I think about when I'm nervous on the course?
Think about one simple cue for the shot in front of you, such as a tempo word or a target. Take a slow breath, then follow your normal routine.
