Mental Game · Tip
Keep a Hot Round Going
Part of our mental game programs for nerves and pressure, no routine. Build a program with it
Playing better than usual can make you nervous. Maybe you're headed for your best nine holes, or your first eagle. Thoughts about score start sneaking in. When that happens, go back to your routine. You already have one, even if you don't think about it. Start noticing what you do on the course. Knowing what you do matters as much as how you do it. Then repeat what works on your good holes.
Step by step
- Notice when you're playing above your norm.
- Catch the score thoughts.
- Go back to your routine.
- Pay attention to your habits.
- Repeat what works.
Why it works
When you play well, your attention moves from the shot in front of you to the result, such as the score you are on pace for. That change speeds up your tempo, tightens your grip and shortens your decision time, and all of these hurt contact. A routine gives your mind a fixed series of tasks, so it has less room for score thoughts. Repeating the same routine also keeps your swing feeling familiar when the situation does not.
Common mistakes
- You do not notice you are playing well until the score thoughts are already loud.Check your running score at the end of each hole and note when you are better than usual, so you expect the nerves before they arrive.
- You change your routine to protect the round, such as playing faster to get it over with or slower to be careful.Keep the same steps and the same pace you use on an ordinary hole.
- You try to push the thoughts away by force, which keeps them in your head.Accept the thought and move your attention to the first step of your routine, such as picking a target.
How you'll know it's working
- Your pre-shot time looks the same on a hot hole as on an average hole.
- Your contact and start line stay steady on the holes right after you notice the score thoughts.
- After the round you can list the same few habits you repeated on your best holes.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice the routine on the range or in a casual round, where there is no score pressure, until the steps are automatic.
Harder: Use the routine in a competitive round or a match, and track the running score so you must keep the routine going while you know the number.
Common questions
Why do I play worse when I start playing well?
You begin thinking about the result, such as your score, instead of the next shot. That usually makes you rush or tense up, and your contact suffers.
What is a pre-shot routine in golf?
It is the same set of steps you take before every shot, such as picking a target, taking a practice swing and setting up. It keeps your focus on the task and your timing consistent.
