Welcome back to The Daily Duffer! Sarah Chen here, your golf instruction editor, ready to help you unlock your best game. Today, I want to talk about something crucial often overlooked on the golf course: your attitude and mental approach. It’s not just about swing mechanics, although those are vital. It’s about how you carry yourself, how you react to challenges, and ultimately, whether you’re enjoying the process.
I was recently reflecting on Lucas Glover’s decision to end his Sirius/XM show, and it struck me how his experience offers a powerful lesson for us all, regardless of our handicap. Glover, a six-time Tour winner and U.S. Open champion, started his show with the best intentions, aiming to share his insights and stories.
“Now, having experienced all I have through my career,” Glover said on the show’s promotion page online, “I’m ready and looking forward to sharing lots of stories, lessons learned and opinions on our game.”
Sounds like a great plan, right? But over time, things shifted. His show, particularly the popular “Get Off My Lawn” segment, morphed into something he didn’t intend.
“It started out being fun and jovial and then it turned into complaining about issues at the Tour. That’s not why I started doing it and not where I wanted it to go. It made for some good entertainment, but I wanted it to be more fun. It didn’t feel like it was me, it wasn’t my personality coming out.”
This resonates deeply with what I see on the course. How often do we step onto the first tee excited, only to find ourselves grumbling about a bad bounce, a missed putt, or even another golfer by the end of the round? That “grumpy” feeling Glover described can creep into our golf game, stealing the joy and ultimately hindering our performance.
The Power of a Positive Mindset on the Course
As a PGA-certified instructor with over 15 years of experience, I’ve worked with golfers of all levels. And what I’ve learned is that while perfect mechanics are a goal, a positive mental approach is the engine that drives improvement. When you’re constantly complaining or focusing on what’s going wrong, your body tenses up, your swing becomes forced, and your decision-making suffers. It’s a vicious cycle.
Think about it: even professional players like Lucas Glover, who are literally playing for their livelihood, understand the importance of maintaining an enjoyable, authentic perspective. If it can affect them, it can definitely affect us weekend golfers. We play golf to relax, challenge ourselves, and enjoy the outdoors. Let’s make sure we’re actually doing that!
“It started out fun and light. Inevitably, the entire show turned into that,” Glover told Schupak. “Three of the four segments would morph into me complaining about something on the Tour. I didn’t want it to be that.”
This self-awareness from Glover is exceptional. He recognized the shift and decided to make a change. We can apply this same self-awareness to our golf game. Are we truly enjoying our rounds, or are we letting frustration take over?
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actionable Drills for a Happier, Better Game
Here are a few drills and checkpoints you can incorporate into your next practice session or round to cultivate a more positive and productive mindset:
Drill 1: The “Reset Button” Drill
We all hit bad shots. It’s part of golf. The key is how you reset. After every shot, good or bad, take a full 10-second mental reset before addressing your next shot. During this time, walk to your ball, take a deep breath, and actively tell yourself, “That shot is over. Focus on this next one.” This isn’t just about forgetting; it’s about consciously releasing the previous outcome and committing to the present. This helps prevent one poor shot from spiraling into a series of mistakes.
Drill 2: The “Gratitude Golf” Practice
This is a favorite of mine for my high-level amateur and professional students, and it’s perfect for weekend golfers too. During your round, consciously identify three things you’re grateful for before you reach the 9th hole, and three more before the 18th. It could be the beautiful weather, a shot you executed well, the company you’re with, or simply the opportunity to play. This active search for positives shifts your focus away from potential frustrations and helps you appreciate the experience itself. You’ll find yourself smiling more, and that alone can reduce tension in your swing.
Drill 3: The “One Good Thing” Rule
At the end of your practice session or round, no matter how it went, identify at least one specific thing that went well. Did you hit a fantastic iron shot? Did you make a great up-and-down? Whatever it is, acknowledge it. Many golfers only analyze their mistakes, which can be draining. By intentionally focusing on a positive, you build confidence and reinforce good habits. This practice, when done consistently, re-wires your brain to look for success, not just failure.
In my teaching experience, the golfers who improve the fastest are often those who embrace the journey with a positive attitude. They understand that golf is a series of challenges, but also a source of immense enjoyment. Just like Lucas Glover recognized when his show became too much about complaining, we have the power to steer our own golf experience back to joy and passion.
So next time you’re on the course, remember to keep it fun. Let go of the grumbling, embrace the challenge, and enjoy the beautiful game. You’ll be surprised at how much better you play when you’re truly having a good time.
