Do You Play Golf or Do You compete in Golf?
Some may say the two mean the same, but let’s look further at the two mindsets.
The difference may sound subtle, but it’s significant
A competitive mindset is an attitude of fighting until your last shot. It’s grinding when you are several strokes behind the leader.
A competitive mindset encompasses finding a way to hit an effective recovery shot when your ball lands in a bunker.
A competitive mindset is fighting during a round despite slim chances of placing in the Top-10. It’s keeping your head in the game instead of playing to finish the round.
A golfer who responded to our Golf Mental Game Survey sent the following question: “How do I finish my round well when I start off slowly?”
Let’s turn your question into a statement, “When I start off slowly and know I will not shoot a low score, I play poorly.”
This type of mindset is focused on your projected score or the potential outcome of a round. When you predict you will finish poorly because you started off slowly, you resign yourself to the outcome.
Your thought process is, “Let me just play through this round because I have nothing to play for.” This mindset fosters underperformance and bad habits.
The opposite of a “play-to-finish” mindset is the “compete-until-finished” mindset. It is important to remember that competitive golfers compete, and competing is a present-moment action.
A competitive mindset is focused on performing your best at the moment instead of guessing what your score might be. Giving yourself a chance is about grinding, and grinding is another present-moment action.
Thus, the key to finishing your best is to hit your best shot in the present. In the PGA and LPGA, there are many examples of golfers who kept competing and pulled out a victory.
Billy Horschel won the 2024 BMW PGA Championship by competing until his final shot. On his final seven holes, Horschel shot 4-under and closed with 67 to earn a playoff against Thriston Lawrence and Rory McIlroy.
Horschel could have easily predicted he was going to lose after trailing midway on the last day of the tournament. Instead, Horschel was committed to competing regardless of his score, circumstances, or who he played against.
HORSCHEL: “I’m thrilled, excited for the way I played. I battled out there today.”
Despite feeling nervous, Horschell kept his head in the game rather than worrying about where he would finish on the leaderboard.
HORSCHEL: “My heart was pounding on the last couple shots, the last couple holes, and especially in the playoff, but it’s always fun being in those situations.”
When you are committed to competing, you will not only play better but also have fun in the process.
To keep yourself from giving up during a round of golf, frequently remind yourself, “I love the battle and competing.”
Embrace the mindset of battling until the last shot.
Related Golf Psychology Articles
- How to Stay Calm or Composed with Inconsistent Golf
- Remaining Calm After a Bad Golf Shot
- Staying Calm After a Bad Golf Shot
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