Sport Psychology Institute Northwest

Psyching ourselves out: Golf's unique mental game

It may be thought that the slower pace and lack of traditional 'defense' may make golf easier mentally than other sports. In fact, the opposite is true. The delay between shots can serve to build mental pressure and nervousness, according to Florida sport psychologist Dr. John F. Murray. Golfers on the course have no form of outlet for accumulated mental stress, and there aren't any teammates who can provide support. Dr. Murray elaborates: “ So much of their time is getting ready for a shot, and there are more mental factors that can distract you or also help you and be a positive. There is more potential for being stressed, but also for being prepared.” In a traditional "reactionary" sport, such as basketball or tennis, the speed of competition and importance of reacting without thinking can serve to minimize time an athlete spends overthinking their play. However, in golf, competitors have "nowhere to go but think about what might happen." With so much time spent walking up to the ball, all a golfer has to think about is the next shot. Furthermore, while fear of failure is an issue in all sports, it is magnified in golf. A golfer can only blame him or herself for failure, since no one is defending them. Throw in the added stressors of spectators, pressure situations, and course conditions, and the importance of a strong mental game in golf instantly becomes clear. Some important skills necessary to counteract the mental pressures of golf include positive self-talk, visualizations, and self-relaxation or clearing exercises.

Read the rest of the New York Times article, including more notes from Dr. Murray, here.