Mental Game · Tip
How to Think on a Hard Course
Part of our mental game programs for losing it after bad shots. Build a program with it
Hard courses will hand you some bad breaks. Take them and move on. Set realistic expectations before you start. Be honest about your game. Expect a few bad holes. When they come, accept them. Dwelling on them only makes the next hole worse. And watch your tempo. Long holes tempt you to swing harder. Keep your normal rhythm instead.
Step by step
- Set realistic expectations.
- Expect some bad holes.
- Accept them and move on.
- Keep tempo on long holes.
- Don't swing harder.
Why it works
A hard course raises the cost of every mistake, so your reaction to a bad shot matters as much as the shot itself. If you expect a few bad holes, one poor result does not change your plan or your mood. Swinging harder on long holes breaks your sequence and moves the strike off the center of the face, so you lose distance and accuracy. A steady tempo keeps contact consistent.
Common mistakes
- You set a target score based on your best round, not your typical one.Base your target on what you usually shoot, and allow for a few bad holes on top of it.
- You replay a bad hole while you walk to the next tee.Pick one thing to note, then shift your attention to the next shot and your routine.
- You grip tighter and swing harder on a long hole to make up the distance.Use the same rhythm as your normal swing and pick the club that fits the distance, even if it leaves a longer approach.
How you'll know it's working
- Your swing feels the same on the longest hole as on the shortest.
- You hit the center of the face more often on long holes, with fewer thin and heel or toe strikes.
- After a bad hole, you take your usual pre-shot routine on the next tee without rushing.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Play a course or set of tees that suits your game, and set a simple target such as keeping the ball in play.
Harder: Play a tougher course or longer tees, and hold your tempo and your reaction to bad holes for the full round.
Common questions
How do I stop one bad hole from ruining my round?
Accept the result, note one lesson at most, and move on before you reach the next tee. Then start your normal routine so the next shot is a fresh one.
Why do I swing harder on long holes?
A long hole makes you feel you need extra power, so you try to add speed with your arms. Keep your normal rhythm and choose the club that fits the distance instead.
