Mental strength - a key to success in every sport, so in the game of golf
There is a widespread belief that ample amount of practice, instructions and skills are considered to be the key to success in the game of golf.
On the contrary, some believe that technology and equipment plays an important role in making good shots and winning the tournaments.
Both schools of thought—although at odds with each other—have their reasons to justify their standpoints.
Technically, if a golfer has the latest technology equipments and required set of skills, he must be the best golfer around the world.
However, it does not always happen. Even players with required skills and best equipments sometimes fail to deliver on the course. Failures in such situations create a host of questions.
What is it that matters the most in the game of golf? The answer is: ‘Mental strength’. It is considered to be the major factor in the life of a golfer to excel and record some wins on the course.
Undoubtedly, technique and equipments do play some role in the success of any sportsman; however, they cannot earn him a success until he is mentally strong.
Dr Karl Morris, Sports Psychologist and Mind Coach, said of the findings of the research: "It would appear that golfers that are performing below plan are focusing on technique rather than on what they should be focusing, namely their mental game".
Ross Fisher, Ryder Cup star and Genworth ambassador put it this way: “Success in golf has a lot to do with being able to perform consistently at the highest level.
"This requires great mental strength and self-belief that if you do hit a bad patch you can quickly get back on track".
Fisher went on to say that “alongside working on my technique, I try to spend plenty of time developing the right mental state of mind for competition.”
Apart from preparing themselves mentally, players also need caddies’ help, as they play an important role in building up the confidence, motivation and mental strength.
Caddies’s role is more than just carrying golfers’ bags, as they assess the golf course before events and maintain clubs and provide food items during the game.
Most importantly, caddies also help players strengthen themselves psychologically. When players are mentally down, caddies are always on the course to provide assistance and moral support.
The much-needed assistance from caddies often helps players to make great comebacks in the game. Cadies boost their employers morale by telling them that they have the capability to play a certain shot.
Therefore, it is mental strength that helps the player move ahead in the game, even if he is not doing well overall. Technique and equipments are of no use without mental strength.
If a player is confident, motivated and mentally strong, he can bring positive outcomes in the game.
On the contrary, if he is mentally down, nothing can help him and the results will definitely be negative, hampering his success. The only difference between an average rated player and a top-notch player is psychological strength.
It is fair to say that golfers wishing to perform better should put more trust in themselves than in expertise and clubs. This is the only way they can excel and record better performances in the tournaments they play.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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