What’s the trick to avoiding mental lapses during a round?

Do you find that you hit a point during the round where you get mentally fatigued and give away strokes because you can’t focus well or make poor decisions? Given that the average adult has about a seven-minute attention span and a typical round of golf lasts four to five hours, it comes as no surprise. Therefore it’s important to have a strategy for sustaining an optimal level of attention or focus. It is not realistic to expect yourself to stay 100 percent focused for the entire round—nor do we recommend it. So, just how much time do you really need to be focused on the course?

Consider that if a golfer shoots 75, he or she will spend time on the course in the following way:
Hitting the Ball            2 seconds x 75 = 2.5 minutes
Pre-shot Routine       20 seconds x 75 = 25 minutes
Preparation                 30 seconds x 75 = 37.5 minutes
Total                              = 65 minutes (approx. 1 hour)

During the four-plus hours you are on the course you are only spending about an hour preparing for your shot and hitting the ball. That leaves a lot of time for doing something else. Instead of obsessing about the shot that you just hit or starting to think about the next shot right away, give your mind a break. The post-shot routine is where you can broaden your focus and take a “mental vacation.” By taking these well-timed breaks you will find that you are able to sustain your ability to focus on the course for longer periods of time and during the crucial times when you really need to.

How you spend those other three hours is up to you. Consider the following:

• Take a break in between shots to notice the scenery, birds, sky, etc. Golf courses are beautiful. Enjoy them!
• Spend more time socializing and having fun with your playing partners.
• Use the time between shots to shift into your optimal playing state (mentally, emotionally,   physiologically).
• Take slower breaths.
• Walk with your head up and feel confident.
• Hum or hear your favorite song.
• Minimize negative self-talk.

Taking these mental breaks becomes more challenging if you’re playing particularly well. You might have a hard time not thinking about going low. Just remember that when Annika Sorenstam shot 59 at the 2001 Standard Register Ping Tournament, between shots she wasn’t thinking about making birdies; she was thinking about making a fish soup for dinner and which ingredients she would need.

Finally, in order to focus well you must also take your emotional state into account. Research has shown that the part of your brain that helps you make decisions and narrow your focus stops communicating with the rest of your brain whenever you are feeling a negative emotion such as anger, fear, or frustration. Being aware of your body language and positive self-talk can make a big difference with regard to your ability to perform well.

By Denise McGuire and Elena King

Denise McGuire, Ph.D. is the founder of Get In The Zone (getinthezone.net; 303-902- 5008). Elena King is Director of Instruction at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora (303-503-0330).