Medicus Top Tips Newsletter Archive

How to Handle Defeat (February 2009) Chuck Evans - Executive Director of Instruction - Medicus Golf Institute

You get to the golf course that day for the most important match you have ever had to play and you're feeling really good. The bell rings and right from the start you can't find the clubface or keep the golf ball on the golf course. You're struggling with your emotions and trying everything you know how to even make contact.

We have all had days like this and go from hero to goat in one quick moment. All the work you've done all the hours spent use it honing your game and skills suddenly seems to not make any difference.

This happens to each and every one of us and a lot of times they happen for reasons other than swing mechanics. Here is an example of things that can influence how you play that day.

1. Weather conditions: If you are use to playing in hot humid weather and then suddenly you play in cool and dry weather your body will have to acclimate these changes. Your golf ball will also not perform the same way as weather conditions affect ball flight.

2. Course conditions: Let's say you play golf in the desert but now you're playing on a course that has thick rough, lots of trees, and tight fairways. Your target area shrinks down and becomes much more narrow, missed shots that you used to be able to get away with now you can't.

3. How you feel: Some days we just feel better than others and those minor aches and pains turn into major aches and pains on certain days and that is going to affect not only your flexibility but your state of mind on how you feel.

4. Mental state: Believe it or not mental programming can either help or hurt your game tremendously. Proper programming takes away the nervousness and anxiety you feel when you play golf. Improper programming will put you in a state of total confusion. How many of you have stood on the 16th tee and thought, "If I can only par the next three holes I'll shoot the best score of my life!" And what happened? You absolutely MUST stay in the present!

The MOST important shot of the day is the one you are getting ready to hit!

5. Your opponent: Your opponent can have a serious effect on your game plan. Some players are so intimidating that no matter how much we try to say it doesn't bother us it is evident that we hold them in too much esteem and awe.

Do you think that Aaron Baddeley was intimidated by Tiger Woods in the final round of the 2007 U.S. Open? He may have said it wouldn't bother him, and mentally that's what he should say, but when you're playing with a player of that caliber, someone that is head and shoulders above everybody else, you cannot help but to be intimidated by them.

There have been players that have won major championships and then they basically disappeared and their golf careers virtually over.

It happens to everyone so don't let defeat get you down, accept defeat with humility and grace move onto the next day and keep during your work.

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