As golfers, we are told to think positively, play with confidence, visualise our shots and plan our way around the course. We are also told one shot at a time, forget about the bad ones, ignore the bad bounces, and that if you keep hitting good putts that just miss, they will eventually start to drop.

We are not professionals and we really shouldn’t believe we will play well every time we hit the links. 

The main aim of the average amateur golfer of any skill level should be to enjoy their day, play as good as they can and accept whatever the Golfing Gods (there are many of them) grants on that day. After all, we are giving up one of our most precious assets, TIME, and are not forced to play this frustrating but beautiful game!

The fact is poor swings, 3-putts, and bad bounces can result in disappointment that builds during the round, creating an inner tension that further destroys your chances of hitting the next shot well. It is a vicious cycle. So, what do we do?

The famous sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella gives us the answer. He is quoted as saying “Golf is about how well you accept, respond to, and score with your misses much more so than it is a game of your perfect shots.”

Low expectations that culminate in pleasant surprises is definitely the right way to enjoy the great game of golf!