What words would you use to describe golf?
How you see the game of golf shapes how well you perform through the ups and the downs.
Golf is a challenging, unpredictable, exciting, frustrating sport filled with successes and disappointments.
Every day, round, and course is different. You can play your best golf on a particular course on a Saturday, then have an off day the next day on the same course.
Consistency may feel unattainable a large portion of the time.
The consistency issue was brought up by a golfer who recently responded to our Golf Mental Game Survey:
“Either I play really well, or I play really bad. How can I become more consistent?”
One cause of inconsistency is your beliefs about the game. One misconception is that your game needs to be clicking to play well. In other words, if I’m not on my ‘A’ game, then I will be left with my ‘F’ game.
Consistency isn’t about carding a low score every round you play. If you define consistency as shooting the same low score, you will become frustrated and disappointed. Consistency is playing your best with what you have and the circumstances you face during a particular round.
If you are playing in windy conditions, you may have difficulty shooting a low score. However, you can take into consideration the playing conditions, adjust your strategy and focus on playing your best golf in those conditions.
If you just got over being sick and you feel tired and sore, you may not be able to shoot your best score, but you can still play your best, given your circumstances.
Golf is a game of adjustment. Never will you be playing in optimal conditions. To play consistent golf, you need to be mentally strong, have realistic expectations, and be able to adjust on the fly.
At the 2022 LPGA Q-Series, Riley Rennell was tied for the lead at 10-under after 36 holes. Even though Rennell carded seven birdies, she wasn’t focused on any expectations.
Rennell keeps an open mind whether she is preparing, playing, or reviewing a competitive round.
RENNELL: “Day by Day, everything is different. [Your] body is different, [Your] mind is different. But you just kind of have to try and get yourself back into that good space where you can perform.”
Golf is not a game of perfection. You will never play under perfect conditions or play a perfect round. So you must set realistic expectations in your approach to the game.
You improve your ability to play consistent golf when you have realistic expectations.
Evaluate your expectations. Of course, you want to shoot your lowest score every time you play. However, that goal is not realistic.
Instead, set the goal of hitting a consistent tee shot or consistently getting good contact with the ball.
Setting small objectives (not expectations) can lessen the pressure you feel, help to improve your game, and help you play with the consistency you have been looking to achieve.
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