Watch and Learn From The Best
IN: Golf Psychology | by Andrea Furst | 20 Jan 2008
The international players rolled in and graced us with their presence for what is considered to be Asia’s major. Names such as Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Nick O’Hern, Angel Cabrera, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, and KJ Choi, waltzed the fairways of Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Course for the Barclays Singapore Open. There are multiple reasons to watch these players from every aspect of the game but one which was under my microscope for the week’s worth of international golf was their mental game.
As in any profession, there is a great deal to learn from those in higher positions, those that are more highly skilled and celebrated. The mental game in the abovementioned professional golfers provides a clear indication as to the reasons why they are the experts on the golf course. Their conduct on the course provides benchmarks for those on the Asian PGA Tour who are aspiring to join these boys on the US PGA Tour in the future.
The key aspects that demonstrate mastery of their mental game include many of the followign aspects.
Caddies
The usage of caddies is evident and an integral part of their game. There is discussion prior to every shot. It is clear that the caddie is providing a deeper and more valuable service than simply carrying their bags. You only have to watch Mickelson and his caddie, ‘Bones’, on the greens to see team work in action.
It is acknowledged that players on the US PGA Tour are generally in a more financial position to afford a caddie that they can mould into a successful working partnership however it is the process of using the caddie as a sounding board to problem solve and make decisions about shots which is something that is an obvious benchmark. These players put a clear value on the process to make the smart decisions for each shot.
The Message
Taking time to give every shot a thorough decision making
process, regardless of caddie or no caddie. If you have a caddie,
aim to use them to your advantage where possible.
Pre-Shot Routines
Consistent routines before each type of shot were evident. It is commonly accepted that golfers of all levels should aim to have a pre-shot routine. The fact of the matter is that most golfers may have one but sticking to it 100% of the time in competition is a challenge.
The US PGA Tour players demonstrated how it can be done. The set system of thoughts and behaviours that each player adheres to is their own individualised routine. It was clear that each and every one of the players had these systems well trained and no amount of ‘bad’ play affected the adherence to these systems before each shot.
The Message
The top players are aiming to keep everything around the ball
striking as consistent as they possibly can to allow their
technical skills to shine.
Keep Your Emotions in Check
The players are always watching their ball flight and landing spot. You very rarely see them pull out of shots or let go of their club without finishing their follow through. They are keen to see what their next challenge is going to be in addition to getting feedback about their current ball striking level.
From a mental perspective, players at lower levels often judge their shots mid swing making it easy to slip out of finishing the shot and skipping the follow through. It was very rare to see this occur in the US PGA Tour players.
They appeared committed to finishing each shot and learning about their game at every step.
The Message
Finish each shot and let the review take place once the skill has
been completely executed. Avoid the critical judgement during the
swing and promote learning from each and every shot.
Don't Dwell On Mistakes
The responses to shots were short lived. The US PGA Tour players rarely, if ever, ‘carried’ their response from one shot to the next. Their disappointment or frustration with their shot was simply a matter of seconds.
With so much golf watched over the weekend the best example of this was Westwood on Saturday, where he tripled the 16th hole, and moved on to par the 17th and eagle the 18th.
If you watched the reaction on the 16th hole it was obvious disappointment, however there was definitely no thought of the 16th hole when teeing up for the 17th or the 18th.
The Message
Develop a system for reviewing shots and managing emotions so
that each shot is ‘dealt with’ swiftly in order to
move forward to the next opportunity.
Course Demeanor
The players are unique in the characteristics displayed on the course, particularly between shots during their walk time. It is important that players develop a sense of who they are on the course and that they are comfortable with that person – it is their performance self.
There is such a contrast between the US PGA Tour players; you have the rather relaxed and easy styles of Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, and Darren Clarke ranging right through to the seemingly structured and more deliberate Nick O’Hern and Adam Scott.
Despite the variety in style and characters on the course the main benchmark here is that their demeanour on the course does not change. They are consistently the same chilled and happy-go-lucky player or the same focussed and more serious looking player – or they fit somewhere in between.
The Message
Find your performance character and teach yourself to stick to it
between every shot regardless of how you are hitting the ball or
what results are attained.
Outside Pressures
With such a big event on the Asian PGA Tour it is easy to see how Asian PGA Tour players can get overwhelmed with the pressure to perform. Another key difference which guides players to include as benchmarks is the way in which the US PGA Tour players are comfortable with the amount of press, the corporate dinners, the clinics between rounds, the crowds at the driving range, the noise and movement in the galleries, the appearance money, and all the ‘extra’ attention that being one of the best golfers in the World brings.
Being a big believer in practise and the development of habits over time the most logical explanation is that these players simply get use to all of the extra pressure and it is a part of their life, plus they have the help of managers and support staff to make the load lighter for them and their performance.
Watching how they deal with it is a learning experience for all Asian PGA Tour players who aspire to be included in that exclusive group of players.
The Message
As players rise from Asian PGA Tour to the US PGA Tour their
commitments outside of simply playing golf generally appear to
increase. The more practise that we can give our Asian PGA Tour
players the more gradual the learning will be as they move upward
towards the World’s best.
The above comments are observations through my eyes where I am looking for the smaller details that are mostly if not all, outside of the swing. I am interested in the players body language, the way they walk, their immediate reactions to shots, their talk or lack of with playing partners, their facial expressions, the behaviours before a shot, where their eyes are looking, how they deal with noise and distractions, their clothes, and all the small behaviours which give an insight into the inner workings of their mental game.
Thorough observation of experts in action provides fruitful sources of information that can be easily adapted to the beginner right through the touring professionals, who still have room to improve.
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