Do You Have the Confidence to Play Competitive Golf?
Competitive golfers are always in search of the elusive characteristic called confidence.
For some, they had it and now have "lost it". Others, claim never to have had it,
and aren't really sure what it is. Still more know what it is because they "see it in
others", but don't think they have enough for themselves. Read about, watch, or listen
to athletes as they talk about confidence, and how revered this trait is. The specific answer
for optimal confidence is somewhat dependent on each person's own set of circumstances.
Talent, opportunity, skill, luck, and many other factors can be plugged into the confidence
equation. However, there are 4 steps you can use to instill the confidence of a championship
golfer.
1. If you want to have the confidence of a champion, then begin training
like a champion.
Confidence comes primarily from optimal preparation and a sense of
having all the requisite tools in the toolbox to adequately address the competitive situations
that might confront you. This means work hard on your technical, physical, and mental
preparation, or be prepared to face the inevitable consequence of self-doubt and worry when
faced with difficulty when performing.
2. Catch yourself doing things right.
Most
of us, when asked, can recount a litany of things that we didn't do well the last time we were
on the golf course. How many things can you recall that you did well? Most of us have
expectations that we're supposed to do certain things when we compete, and fail to give
ourselves the credit due when we do these (so-called) routine things. Every time you hit the
drive into the fairway, make a four-foot putt, or hit a green in regulation is a positive
accomplishment. How many deposits do you make in your confidence bank? If you're like most,
you're certainly making plenty of withdrawals!
3. Strengthen your weaknesses.
Make
an honest accounting of where you believe yourself to be weakest and do whatever it takes to
improve. This can be a physical or mental area, and addressing the "weakest link"
will boost your confidence. Virtually every player with whom I've worked has a particular
area of his or her game that feels weak relative to the rest, and few people are willing to
put in the extra time and energy to overcome this. It's usually more enjoyable and less
frustrating to work on our strengths.
4. Measure yourself against your own
criteria.
Many people allow their confidence to be shaken easily and quickly because of
comparisons to others. How many of us have experienced the circumstance where we're feeling
pretty good about our abilities, only to permit our egos to be bruised because someone else we
see is faster, stronger, more consistent, or more proficient? This is toxic to our
confidence, without regard to how we're performing. If, instead, we measure our performance
based on our own realistic expectations and where we are developmentally, we are much less
likely to be caught up in the race to be as good as someone else. Instead, we are in the race
to improve ourselves and rely on our own standard to evaluate our gains and/or setbacks.
