Learn to Play Functional Golf

Try to be Too Perfect After Rising to a New Level of Competition?

In this week’s golf psychology session, mental game of golf expert and author of The Mental Game of Golf, Dr. Patrick Cohn, responds to a question from Alex who had this to say about his game:

Hi, I am a college golfer who was performing well towards the end of my high school career, but then once I got to college, my performance decreased significantly. I believe that the cause of this is from me trying to be too perfect on every shot. I have also lost my confidence while playing too. Any advice on how I can improve in these areas? Thank you!

COHN: Alex, thanks for your question. This is a common challenge I see with athletes rising to the next level of competition.

COHN: He was trying to be too perfect….that hurt his performance in his first year as a rookie out on tour.

COHN: You do have to be careful of trying to up your game when you go from high school or from the juniors to college and also from college to the professional ranks as well. 

COHN: Trying to be too perfect means your expectations are elevated as well…

Listen to the podcast now to learn what Dr. Cohn has to say about playing a functional versus a perfect game.

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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.

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