Of all the aspects of the game of golf the mental side of golf is surely the quirkiest one.  Golf is a social sport and form of recreation.  When we play the game by ourselves we have only our own thoughts to listen to and think about.  When we play with others that whole scene changes and now we have three other sets of voices to contend with as we try to focus on the task at hand.  Of course there are the other golfers on the course as well, that slow foursome in front of you can be a source of irritation and a distraction as well.

I have been fascinated to watch over the years as a simple comment or out of place remark can lead to some very poor results; not only for your self but for others in the group as well.  When I show up at the course to play as a single I will get put into the company of the next available threesome; usually with a group of people whom I have never met.  This can make for some interesting groupings, as sometimes the group that I am joining is very experienced, and sometimes just the opposite.  Playing with raw beginner brings a whole new set of challenges to your game, at least for me.  I will find myself wanting to give the fellow a pointer or two; while knowing that lessons belong on the driving range,  it is tough to keep my mouth closed.

My home course is a mountain course with lots of terrain and tree challenges.  Sometimes I find myself in the position of a tour guide; “Just aim at that flag on the top of that hill, it is only a directional flag, it is not the hole.” So the day continues as I comment on the hole coming up and make a few cautionary remarks about the narrow fairway, lay-up areas, and best club selection.  This is where I began to make my discovery, what I say can seriously affect the mental side of “others” shots.

With all the challenges presented by my course I need to be extremely careful when I describe them.  The second hole has a  narrow opening up the hill between two serious clumps of trees. There is a directional flag at the top of the hill which is actually placed a little too far to the left. If your drive goes anywhere to the left of the directional flag there is a tree on the other side of the hill which will block the approach to the green.  If I tell them “Don’t go to the left of the flag,” I have focused their attention on that instead of going to the right.  Over the years I have learned to be very careful with my descriptions so that I focus the listener on the proper action and not the negative consequence.

the mental side of golf

8th Hole At Raven GC Silverthorne

Another area where we affect others, is our attitude toward a certain hole that might have been giving us challenges.  Comments like: “I always”,  “This hole gives me fits “,  and “I knew that would happen!” will give the listener a negative image.  This happens even when the others have never played that particular hole.  We are told to remain quiet while the other golfer is making his shot, but often our remarks prior to the shot can have an effect on the outcome.

The last area deals with anger, obviously throwing a club is not considered good etiquette. However smaller demonstrations of anger as in cursing a bad shot, dropping a club or making loud noises can affect the play of others.  Think about this mental side of golf the next time you play.  Hit them straight and seldom.

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