Tips to Improve Mental Focus in Golf

Formerly acting as COO and general counsel at Alteon Health, Martin Price is an experienced senior health executive who founded the Annalex Group and serves as its president. Outside of his professional pursuits with Alteon and Annalex, Martin Price has long enjoyed hobbies such as reading, swimming, and playing golf.

Considering the amount of time it takes to play a round of golf and how long players often wait between shots, mental fortitude is a critical component of the game. Many professionals employ sports psychologists, and golf legend Arnold Palmer once contended the game is 80 percent mental. Players can practice regularly to improve their swing mechanics and technique, but how does one improve their mental approach to the game?

One of the primary ways to strengthen the mental game is to work on a pre-shot routine. This routine can encompass a variety of things, but must be consistent so that it allows players to clear their heads and focus solely on the upcoming shot. Once this routine is established, players should try to direct focus onto a single dimple of the golf ball. Staring at this dimple and swinging through the ball helps golfers to make direct contact.

Depending on the pace of play, a player might have several minutes between shots. To avoid overthinking the upcoming shot or focusing on prior bad shots, players should talk or think about something non-golf related while approaching the ball. Counting steps can be a useful trick.