Dealing with Emotions: Stay in Your Ideal State for Better Performance

Key Points

• Identify Your Ideal Performance State
  Ask yourself: When I play my best golf, what emotional state am I in?
  Common states: calm, engaged, happy, focused, or creative.
• Emotions Influence Performance
  Golf often becomes an emotional roller coaster. Positive or negative emotions can significantly affect decision-making, focus, and outcomes.
• Priming Emotions Before the Round
  Use your pre-round routine to intentionally get into your ideal state through:VisualizationBreathingSetting clear goalsPositive mindset triggers
• Understand Emotional Triggers
  Poor shots, slow play, bad etiquette — all common emotional disruptors that can chip away at your enjoyment and focus.
• Post-Shot Routine = Emotional Reset Tool
  Instead of being critical after a bad shot, be curious:Why did that happen?What can I learn from it?What adjustment can I make next time?
• Use Reset Techniques
  After the shot:Put the club away deliberatelyTake a deep breathRe-engage with the present moment (e.g., nature, walking, breathing)
• Don’t Let One Mistake Lead to Another
  Lingering frustration affects your next shot. Managing emotions helps break that chain reaction.
• Master the Mental Game
  Emotional management allows you to go from fear to flow, unlocking better performance and more enjoyment.