The complete guide to keeping your focus when you are on the golf course with easy to follow tips from great teachers. Managing your focus and concentration on your shot at hand is something you can develop and use to set aside internal and external distractions. We asked 27 leading LPGA and PGA teachers for the go-to advice they teach their students about how to focus on the golf course.
Let’s get started …
In golf, it is ideal to learn to narrow your focus for shot making and widen your focus in between shot times. This is important so that you can learn to concentrate in golf; not for the entire 5-hour round, but for 40 seconds, 60 + times, and still sustain mental energy for the entire round. Some of us are better with a more internal focus between shots (self-talk, daydreaming, small talk with another player) and some of us are better with a broader focus (outgoing, joking, lots of talking). Be yourself…everyone else is taken!
Deb Vangellow is an LPGA Master Professional and immediate past President of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals membership and teaches at the Riverbend Country Club in Houston, Texas. Deb can be reached online at www.debvangellowgolf.com, and on Facebook and Twitter.
As our LPGA Director of Instruction Deb Vangellow leads the WomensGolf.com team of expert LPGA and PGA qualified instructors.
Don’t let others determine your mindset and manage those outside influencers. Most of the advice is well-intentioned, but as we all know, not always well informed. Say to yourself “I declare independence from all forms of negativity. I accept responsibility for what I do on the golf course. Only I have power over my own game!”
Set boundaries with your golf partner and tell them that you are taking lessons from a golf professional and that to avoid confusion, you would rather not hear other advice that may be conflicting, but you would be happy if they gave you positive words of encouragement.
Karen Palacios-Jansen is an LPGA Class A Teaching Professional and a Certified Personal Trainer. Karen specializes in golf fitness and is the creator of Cardiogolf. Follow Karen online on Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.
No one can focus for four hours straight. They key is to learn how to focus when the time is right. You need to find a cue. For example, I carried my golf bag in college. I trained myself to zone in once my bag hit the ground for my upcoming shot and I trained myself to let my focus go once I felt the bag straps hit my shoulders after my shot. I never forced myself not to feel the emotion of the shot but I knew once the straps hit my shoulders that it was time to let the previous shot go.
Michelle Holmes is Director of Instruction at the Michelle Holmes School of Golf and a Top 50 U.S. Kids Instructor in 2015 and 2016. Follow Michelle online at michelleholmesgolf.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
You can maintain focus on your own game by having minimum cordial conversations with your opponent. Focus on your own pre-shot routine and notebook which contains details on each hole. Each hole is a fresh start and a fresh challenge to keep your mind occupied in the moment.
Pete Kelbel is PGA Head Professional at Walloon Lake Country Club and coaches the boys and girl’s (winners of the 2017 State Championship) golf teams at Harbor Springs High School. Follow Pete online on Twitter and Instagram.
Here are some things I do to help me focus. I know I am not in control of my playing partners. I focus only on the things I can control. As I approach my next shot, I make all the decisions as to how I will play the shot and when it comes time to execute, I focus only my breathing.
Nancy Quarcelino is an LPGA T&CP Hall of Fame Instructor and Head Professional at Gaylord Springs Golf Links in Nashville, TN. Visit the Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf and follow Nancy on Facebook and Twitter.
Redirection of focus is the key. Being able to move one’s attention to where they want to is powerful and key to overcoming distractions-internal and external. Practicing mindfulness is a great tool to begin building the skill of redirecting attention on command.
Dr Alison Curdt is Director of Instruction at Wood Ranch Golf Club and a licensed clinical sport psychotherapist. Contact Alison Curdt at her website alisoncurdtgolf.com and follow her online on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.
How do you focus on your own game when paired with someone who might be a pain in the neck? The best way to avoid allowing someone to distract your game is to play mind games with yourself.
Walk alone. Once you hit your shot, choose what you will think about until you arrive at the next shot. (Go on a mental vacation, ie; what’s for dinner). Plan, prepare and produce that shot. Walk to the next.
Cindy Miller is a former LPGA Tour Player, a current member of The Legends Tour, and a Golf Channel Academy Lead Coach. Follow Cindy at cindymillerinc.com and on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Learn how to get in and out of focus by breathing! Starting on the range, stand upright and inhale. When you inhale your stomach will expand, then exhale feeling like you’re blowing out birthday candles. While you’re exhaling close your eyes, feel your heart rate slow down and once calm open your eyes, you should be able to hear clearly and feel very focused. Hold this focused feeling throughout your shot and release it after the ball lands.
Carlos Brown is head teaching professional at Waterview Golf Club and Director of Instruction at the Carlos Brown Golf Academy. Follow Carlos Brown online on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Take dead aim. Our goal in golf is to hit the targets. When out playing before your backswing check for one last look at the target, not the lake, OB or the like. Nothing else, no thoughts other than the target should be on your mind. Focus on the target for fun rewarding golf.
Cathy Schmidt is the Director of Instruction for Manatee Golf Course and Buffalo Creek Golf Course and owns The Golf Boot Camp, a 3-day golf school. Follow Cathy online at The Golf Boot Camp, Facebook, and Twitter.
The need to leave thoughts and worries not essential to the upcoming golf task is vital… Use mental imagery scissors to cut away the thoughts tying you down and ask “What is my job right here and now?” to get you back on task!
Nicole Weller is a U.S. Kids Master Kids Teacher and Head Teaching Professional at The Landings Club in Savannah, Georgia. Follow Nicole online at www.nicoleweller.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.
When nerves are reaching over-the-top limits try this fun trick: Morph into one of your favorite pro players. During one of my match play events, I was crazy nervous…so I morphed into Phil Mickelson. I even walked like him. Soon enough, I began to play with his confidence. It’s a fun trick and gets you out of your own way! The best news.. I won the event!
Christina Ricci is an LPGA Class A Instructor and hosts national More Pars Camps at top resorts across the US. Christina is online at ChristinaRicciGolf.com and her popular YouTube video channel, as well as Facebook and Twitter.
I work hard to stay in the moment and focus on the shot I have in front of me. It is very important to develop both pre-shot and post-shot routines. These routines will help you tune out distractions, and also minimize concerns about previous holes, future holes, and your overall score.
Jane Schafer is a Class A PGA Teaching Professional and Certified U.S. Kids Golf Coach based at the Las Vegas Golf Course. Follow Jane online on Facebook and Instagram.
To fine-tune your focus and minimize “blow-up” holes, rehearse a pre-shot routine that you commit to every shot. If a player in your group has a less than pleasant golf swing, divert your eyes. And, keep conversations to mild topics, don’t discuss PTA, politics, or gossip.
Kathy Hart Wood is a Top 50 LPGA Teacher and Furman University graduate. Kathy currently teaches at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, NJ. and can be followed online at KathyHartWood.com, Facebook, and Instagram.
I am constantly telling my juniors that they need to get used to playing with all kinds of people. If they wait to play well only when the group is easy, then they will be waiting a long time.
In college there was one girl on the team I didn’t like to play with, she used to smack her lips all the time! I made the mistake of asking my coach to please not pair me with her. Guess what, I had to play every single round with her after that. She told me when I can learn to ignore those things that bother me, I will become a better player. It worked. I am really good at singing songs in my head and checking out the trees.
Kathy Nyman is an LPGA Class A Teaching Professional and U.S. Kids Certified Instructor at Deercreek Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida. Follow Kathy online at RainGirlGolf.com and on Facebook and Twitter.
Deep breaths using your diaphragm prior to swinging helps out. Calming the human body through breathing properly is huge not just in golf. Learn to focus on your pre-shot routine, course strategy, or one key thought during your swing, it eventually helps to keep distracting thoughts out of your head.
Marvin Sangüesa is a PGA Professional Golf Coach at the Joey D Golf Sports Training Center. Follow Marvin on his Youtube channel where he posts regular instructional videos, and on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
Realizing that you need to maintain focus when you have to hit a shot versus the entire round is an important start. Having a trigger to start your focus, like tapping your club on the ground to start your routine, it divides the time you need to focus and the rest of the round.
Kellie Stenzel is a PGA Master Professional and Class A LPGA Teaching Professional and runs the Kellie Stenzel Golf Academy at the Boca Raton Resort and Club in Florida. Follow Kellie online on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.
The first step to improving your focus is to be aware of when you start losing it. Perhaps you are late in the round and fatigued or not eating/drinking enough. Finding a process that works for you that can be relied on to get you back into the moment is crucial. Commit to YOUR process; have a favorite bag of candy handy, hum a favorite tune in your head, or even grab a new golf ball and give it a fresh marking to start your next hole with. Be aware, refocus and feel refreshed.
Julie Wells is a former Symetra Tour player and is PGA Director of Instruction at Julie Wells Golf teaching out of Cedar Creek Country Club in Kemp, Texas. Follow Julie at JulieWellsGolf.com on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Distractions both external and internal can be a factor for poor performance. Our own internal chatter causes doubt, anxiety, and fear which can show up in the form of tension. For example, raised shoulders, tight jaw and inconsistent grip pressure. Pay attention to what you are saying to yourself and where in your body the tension shows up. This will help you when you enter into a pressure-packed situation both on and off the course!
Elena King is an LPGA Class A Teaching Professional and the founder of ExperienceGolf. Elena King teaches in Aurora, Colorado at CommonGround Golf Course. Follow Elena online at experiencegolf.biz and on Facebook and Twitter.
The simple answer is ‘Pre-shot routine’ If you have a solid repeatable routine for every shot, you will be much more able to block out distractions.
A routine helps you to focus your mind on the shot, calms the nerves and slows you down if you feel rushed. Develop a simple, repeatable routine for all shots and then relax and think about whatever you like between shots.
Anne Rollo was an All American college player at San Jose State and winner of 22 professional tournaments. Anne now teaches at the Muirfield Golf Club in Sydney, Australia and can be followed on fixmygolfswing.com.au, and on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.
My first thought for focusing the mind on the course is “one shot at a time” if I find I need to elaborate this process I focus on small things around me; blades of grass or individual dimples on the golf ball, all of which take my mind onto something else away from the negatives.
Lizzy Freemantle graduated from the University of Louisville to become PGA Professional at Oxmoor Country Club and is currently coaching in the UK. Follow Lizzy at freemantlegolf.com and on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Use a phrase or “mantra” to help you regain your focus, such as “that’s not important”, “let’s get this one close”, or “let it go, this swing is going to be perfect!”
Some of the best golfers in the world say that focus is the single most important mental skill to achieve consistency. Learning any new skill takes time so try it out on the range first. It doesn’t matter if you’re learning a physical skill or a mental one; you need to practice in order to improve. So go find your “mantra” and test it out during your next round!!!!!
Susan Vail teaches at The Learning Center at Abacoa Golf Club and is the founder of Pink Peg Golf. For more information on Susan and Pink Peg Golf go to www.gopinkpeg.com and follow @pinkpeggolf on Twitter.
The way I maintain focus on my own game is simple. I look at my shot, the requirements of how to hit it, and then hit it. After I hit the shot, I let myself relax and get distracted by other things. When the time comes to focus on my shot I am laser focused. I feel like I have a bubble around me that can’t let anything in. After that moment of focus and execution, it disappears and I can let loose.
Trillium Rose is Director of Instruction at Woodmont Country Club. Follow Trillium online at TrilliumRose.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
You have no control over your opponent or playing partner. If I can’t control the other player, I won’t focus on them. Remember, YOU MATTER! Use your energy to focus on yourself and your shots. If your playing partner is really that annoying – just be thankful you aren’t them:-).
Tiffany Faucette is a former touring professional and LPGA Top 50 teacher at Nantucket Golf Club. Follow Tiffany on Twitter @faucettegolf or visit www.tiffanyfaucette.com
Golf is not always the game of control that it looks like. So, when distractions happen, remember, it’s normal and you can’t always prevent the thoughts in your head. You can, however, let them float away, and replace them with something specific and positive. Calmness, confidence, and CONVICTION are the keys.
Kristin Walla enjoys teaching both beginners and elite players at Orinda Country Club and Peacock Gap Golf Club. Visit kwallagolf.com and follow Kristin on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.
FOCUS on the task at hand. PRACTICE the very situation you struggle with. SELF TALK ‘I CAN do this. WRITE notes that will help you deal with the situation, carry them with you. Between shots, think of things that you like and make you happy. Have GOALS to achieve!
Karen Nicoletti is a USGA Girls Golf site director and LPGA Class A teaching professional at Windstar on Naples Bay. Follow Karen on Twitter @KarenNicoletti
My key to switching on my focus has always been the ripping of the Velcro as I put on my glove as I walk up to my next shot. This “Go Signal” makes me tune out everything but the information I need to execute my shot: distance, wind, slope etc.
Also, practising under duress – loud noises on the practice range, people moving through your eyeline, having friends making jokes instead of respectfully standing quietly, all help to teach deeper focus to tune out the noise creating a “bubble of concentration” so you can “get the ball to the target”.
Simon Dewsbury is a former touring professional and now a PGA instructor at Belmont CC and the Snowmass Club in Aspen. Follow Simon at simondewsburygolf.com and on his YouTube channel
Stop thinking, more doing. Develop a Think Box and a Play Box to help you stay focused when you need it most. Stand behind the ball (Think Box) and decide on the shot you are going to hit considering all factors. Step up to the ball (Play Box) and swing away without thinking. This will help you stay focused and not think about other distractions!
Jamie Engelkemier is a U.S. Kids Certified coach and a Class-A LPGA instructor at The Ranch at Laguna Beach. Follow Jamie Engelkemier online on Facebook.
Feature Photo: Lydia Ko at the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open – Photo: Ben Harpring for WomensGolf.com
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