Developing Your Course Mental Plan
IN: Golf Psychology | by Andrea Furst | 10 Jun 2007
We see systems in the business world and they are successful. Think McDonalds, think Subway, think Walmart, think IKEA – all of these companies have systems that they have developed for their staff to follow. The systems give individuals and teams standards and procedures to follow. These systems simplify complex organisations into a manageable level.
When golfers are performing in competition, with all the pressures of competition, there is no better way to survive and excel than relying on your own system. A system that keeps you focussed on your “A Game” and provides you with reliable support regardless of course conditions, playing partners, level of competition, or level of technical play on the day.
I call this system a “Course Mental Plan”. It details what you want to do and think (and thus feel) in each of the four stages of your round; pre-shot, shot, post-shot and walk. Let’s explore what each stage consists of so that you can begin to work on developing your own.
Pre-ShotThis stage is primarily about preparing for each shot. Your preparation includes gathering information to help you make a decision on each shot as well as committing to that decision.
ShotThis stage is the execution part of the plan. This is where you set up and strike the ball. It begins when you walk into the ball. The timing of this stage should be consistent – from the first step into the ball to the moment of impact.
Post-ShotThis stage begins as soon as you make contact with the ball. It is your physical and psychological reaction to the shot. The completion of this stage indicates the end of the shot – no more thinking about the shot, it is over.
WalkThis stage starts as soon as you have ended the shot and runs until you begin your preparation for the next shot. It is your between shot time and when your “A Game” really shines. It is the longest part of your course mental plan. It warrants planning.
Now that you know the stages you can start to detail what you want to do and think in each of these stages. I suggest that you write down these stages for each type of shot from your long and short games. It can begin as a script and then once you are happy with it, convert it into simple bullet points. Golf is a game that allows you the time and the opportunity to refer to written notes if you find you need a reminder on the course until you get your Course Mental Plan clear in your mind.
The aim of your system is to plan what you want to think and do, and when you want to think and do it.
You will notice that in golf the Course Mental Plan consists of three stages out of four that are independent of your shot. This means that you choose how you prepare for each shot, and you choose how your react to each shot, and you choose how you spend your walk stage. You may currently feel like you do not have a choice, but I assure you, the choice in all of these three stages (and even parts of the shot stage) you are in complete control, if you want to be.
The Course Mental Plan is just that, a plan. It gives you guidance and direction, and something to focus on that you are in charge of. As with any other plan, it doesn’t always go to plan, however through practice and persistence, your system will develop and it will support your performance more often than not.
