I hope today’s newsletter finds you well and ready to dive into some golfing insights. Feel free to take what resonates with you and leave the rest - after all, we’re all on our unique golfing journeys.

TOPICS:

• TAKE IT TO THE COURSE

• EFFECTIVE PRACTICE STRATEGIES

• MASTERING PRO-LEVEL TECHNIQUE

• KEEPING TRACK WHILE ON THE COURSE

TAKE IT TO THE COURSE:

How can we refocus fast after making a mistake on the course?

Refocusing quickly after a mistake on the golf course is crucial for maintaining performance. After an errant shot, your post-shot* routine becomes your guiding light.

As you assess your previous shot, start by questioning whether your pre-shot routine truly set you up for success. Ask yourself:

Was my target aligned with my skill level, or did I attempt to force the outcome?

Did I select a club that felt comfortable and confident, or did I venture into unfamiliar territory?

Was I truly present, focused solely on my target, or did distractions cloud my mind?

By honestly addressing these questions, you gain insight into the outcome. However, reliving the previous shot serves no purpose. Once you’ve evaluated, accept the result and shift your focus to the present moment - a small mastered by the world’s best players.

Here are three techniques to help you realign with the present:

Deep Breathing: Take a moment to inhale deeply through your nose, filling your lungs, then exhale slowly through your mouth. This simple act calms the mind and brings focus back to the present.

Visualization: Picture your desired outcome vividly in your mind. Visualize what would have been a perfect shot, feel the swing, and see the ball going to the target. Adding this to your post-shot routine reinforces confidence and clarity (I personally do this one every time my outcome is not what I expected).

Physical Reset: Shake off any tension or frustration physically. Take a few practice swings, loosen your muscles and reset your posture. This physical reset signals to your mind that it’s time to move forward.

Any of these techniques will help you bounce back from setbacks and help you with your performance on the course.

*Your Post-Shot Routine is all about what you do after you hit the golf ball. It's like making a mental note of the good shots you've hit, so you can remember them and use them again in the future. But it's not just about the good shots; it's also about learning from the ones that didn't turn out how you wanted. It's about taking those less-than-perfect shots in stride and moving forward, ready for the next one.

EFFECTIVE PRACTICE STRATEGIES

MASTERING PRO-LEVEL SWING

In today's edition of "What do the pros do best," we're diving into how, despite having unique swing styles, the top players in the world set up in similar ways. These are some key elements we can learn from to add consistency to our own game.

KEEPING TRACK WHILE ON THE COURSE

Many golfers aspire to achieve scratch status, but reaching that level can feel like a distant goal. If you're working towards this milestone, here's a helpful way to track your improvement: compare your game to that of scratch golfers.

From 90 yards, their average proximity to the holes is around 26ft.

From 100 yards in the fairway they MISS the green 23% of the time.

Next time you’re on the course and find yourself at these distances, keep track of your results. Take this knowledge to the practice facility and work on it.

^{As you head out onto the course, keep this in mind: You don't have to play golf, you get to! Enjoy every moment on the fairways and greens.}