A player with a great wedge game can be likened to a brilliant artist with a paint brush or a magician with a wand in their hand. The very best short game masters in the history of the game have displayed a blend of vision, precision, and effortless technique. Unfortunately for most players, the short-game…
Change always brings with it the feeling of uneasiness and often the question of whether it was better the way things were before! The new rule amendments to the game of golf are no exception to this common and unsettling reaction to change. So, in this latest edition of the magazine, my goal is to…
No matter your level of expertise, the first few holes of the golf round is the most threatening situation for any player. It is a hot topic in many publications on the mental game of golf, and there are plenty of prescriptions documented by performance coaches, to help you manage the nerve wrecking moments of…
The golf course has become a safe haven for many players amidst the pandemic. Laguna National is the perfect place to be, not just because of its natural social distancing, but because it provides an opportunity to escape from work, unplug from our devices, and feel free. Research has well documented the adverse effects of…
Choking under pressure is a phenomenon that every elite player has experienced but few are willing to explore their personal episodes of choking and analyze the causes of this adverse and costly reaction to perceived pressure. Most players would rather erase such experiences from their mind, and hope it never happens again. But recognizing your…
When discussing mind-set, goal focus, and perspective with professional players who visit my office, one important coinciding topic always comes up, expectations. 90% of the time I find players to have expectations of themselves and their game which are destroying mental toughness and enjoyment for the game. For example, rookie players in particular often express…
During my time as a Division-1 collegiate golf player moving from Australia, there were many things I wished I were better prepared to handle as a student-athlete. If the time to apply for college is fast approaching for you, and your goal is to be accepted by the University team in your sport, here are…
The area of psychology that I am most passionate about is wellness and the mental approach to optimising one’s physical health and fitness goals. The second half of the year is the perfect time point for all, from athletes to busy mums, and corporate professionals to review their health and fitness goals and reflect on…
Before the season rolls in, the start of the year is the perfect time to review and renew your performance plan. Here are five central areas for reviewing your mental game and effectively carving out a plan to refocus your energy for the season ahead. Check your Burnout Radar Physical exhaustion and training overload alone…
When I talk to golfers about their sources for building confidence in their game, amateur and elite players often tell me that successful performances are their number one determinant of confidence. This response raises some important questions to think about: How do you define or assess a successful performance? If your confidence is solely based…