How Johnson Turned His Golf Career Around

Golf Psychology

From Slump to Winning in Golf

Are you unhappy with your past golf performance? Are you under-performing and just not playing up to your potential?

There are a number of reasons for missing the mark in your career:

  • Personal issues
  • Nerves
  • Fear of success
  • Fear of failure
  • Lack of practice or training
  • Excessive pressure
  • High expectations

No matter the reason, you may feel trapped and entrenched in your performance slump with no end in sight.

Your belief that bad things will continue will prevent you from moving forward and shooting better scores.

The story you tell yourself about your present and future will play out exactly how you imagine it. This is called a self-fulfilling prophecy.

How can you break free from under-performing on the course?

In order to change your performance for the better, you must change the narrative.

You have the power to change your story at any time and turning the page on the past will put you on the path for a new and successful chapter.

Dustin Johnson understands the power of re-writing your story.

Johnson is recognized as a talented and top golfer on the Tour, yet a host of issues have haunted Johnson preventing him from achieving his potential.

Johnson’s narrative was one that read like a story of missed opportunity and wasted talent.

In 2010, Johnson shot an 82 in the final round to blow a big lead in the 2010 U.S. Open. Johnson had another disaster in 2010 at Whistling Straits when he was penalized two-shots on the 72nd hole that cost him the tournament.

A three-putt from 12 feet on the 72nd hole of the 2015 U.S. Open ruined Johnson’s chances of winning the Open.

In 2014, Johnson took a “leave” from the PGA Tour for “personal challenges,” although it is widely believed that his leave was due to a suspension for failing a drug test.

Johnson’s narrative was turning into a media story… Something had to change and that was the story he told himself.

Instead of listening to the same message about his lack of consistency, choking or not raising his game to the next level, Johnson decided to rewrite his story-line.

The results are telling as Johnson has ascended to the No. 1 ranking by virtue of his dominant five-shot victory at the Genesis Open.

JOHNSON: “It’s been a long journey… I do believe in myself and think I’m a great player. No I wouldn’t have said I was the best in the world. But I guess I can say it now.”

None of his past mistakes or missing the mark matters now because Johnson has flipped the script. Instead of talking about his past, Johnson can revel in all the great things he is doing now.

Are you in need of changing your story?

Maybe it’s time to turn the page on yesterday and start the next chapter in your golf career.

How to Change Your Mindset

First, let go of past failures or poor rounds. Stop reliving those moments when you fell short of your goals. No longer complain or retell the stories of your shortcomings and missed opportunities.

Instead, actually write out what you want to happen over the next month. What does success look like? How will it feel? What can you accomplish?

Don’t just think about it… Put it to paper in a story format. Visualize it.

If you wait for you performance to turn for the better, it may never happen. Start by changing your mindset about future success.


Golfer’s Mental Edge

Golf Psychology CD

What’s the big sign that your mental game is the weak link in your golf game? When you can’t play consistently as well as when you play a practice or casual round–or your range game is way better than your game on the course. If you suffer from lack of focus, low self-confidence, poor composure or other mental game obstacles on the course, you can’t reach your true potential in golf.

The Golfer’s Mental Edge 2.0 Audio and Workbook program is ideal for any amateur, collegiate, junior, and tour professional golfer.

Golf coaches and instructors would also be wise to teach “The Golfer’s Mental Edge 2.0” principles to their players. This program is perfect for any golfer who wants to improve performance and consistency by managing their mind better on the course.

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