Don’t Let Frustration Ruin Your Golf Game

When you go for a game of golf you are expecting to enjoy yourself, right? But you know that since you are in reality ‘playing the course’ and hitting a still object (okay, trying to!) rather than one lobbed at you by an opponent, the blame for any mistakes you make sit squarely on your own shoulders. But don’t attach blame - to yourself or anyone else. Blaming is a pointless pursuit, and not only in golf. It simply happened, so deal with it and get on with the game.

So what happens when you end up in the rough or that water hazard? Sure it’s frustrating when every ball you hit goes bad, but don’t spit the dummy and pump up your blood pressure! For a start, if you become tense and angry you are more likely to suffer some kind of injury like a muscle strain or tear. Hey, you use up lots less energy when you remain calm. This means you’ll have more energy to use on improving your golf.  Everyone suffers from frustration during a bad golf day, but it’s how you control it that is the key to winning out in the end.

Practice acceptance – you’ll probably have lots of chances to practice. One good way to remain positive when you hit a shot into that bunker is to immediately think of something great about the last shot you played. You have to speak this positive comment out loud. Listening to positive self–talk will cheer you up more than you thought possible.

If your ball is in an unfavourable lie, accept it as a challenge, not a threat. Don’t worry about past mistakes or future problems. The game you are playing is in the immediate present. That is all that matters.

Only count up the number of strokes for each hole. Leave the total calculation until you’ve finished the course. This saves a lot of stress. Remember that life wasn’t meant to be easy and the game of golf has no perfect players. Breathe deep and slowly. Be kind to yourself.

If you truly and totally suck at the game, go take professional lessons for a while. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. It will be worth every dime.

So you’ve thrown all your balls into the water and jumped on your golf clubs until they are bent. What should you do?  Either give up golf or go take an anger management course. You choose.