WHAT MINDSET ARE YOU BRINGING TO THE FIRST TEE?
By Dr. Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D.
Professional Golf Teachers Association of America (PGTAA) – www.PGTAA.com
Before you ever grip a club, your round has already begun.
Your dominant thoughts, whether calm, confident, uncertain, or hurried—shape the way you swing, how you react to adversity, and whether your performance rises or unravels.
Most golfers allow their thoughts to happen to them. They drive to the course waiting to “see how they feel,” as if confidence is something random or luck based. But the mind does not drift toward strength on its own. If you do not set your mindset, your mind will default to habit—and for many golfers, that habit involves doubt, fear of mistakes, and mental tightness.
Thoughts Precede Performance
Your emotional tone sets your physical tempo.
- When the mind tightens, the body tightens.
- When the mind rushes, the swing rushes.
- When the mind doubts, the hands steer.
This is why intentional mental preparation before the round is a cornerstone of my Right Mind for Golf program. You can—and must—choose the golfer you intend to be that day.
When the Mind Is Unprepared
A couple of early bogeys.
A missed three-footer.
A poor tee shot on a hole you “always struggle with.”
When the mind is not conditioned beforehand, a small setback becomes a narrative:
- “Here we go again.”
- “I’m losing it.”
- “My swing isn’t there today.”
These thoughts elevate tension, constrict muscles, and accelerate frustration. When the mind becomes outcome-focused, the round spirals.
When the Mind Is Prepared
The trained golfer responds differently:
- Breathe.
- Re-center.
- Return to the process.
They understand that golf is not played in hindsight or in the future—only in the present shot.
This shift is not forced positivity. It is a committed identity:
“I am a patient, composed, disciplined competitor today—regardless of outcome.”
Your Self-Chosen Identity Before Every Round
Confidence is not built on perfect mechanics—
It is built on pre-round mental intention.
Before you play, ask:
Who do I choose to be on the course today?
Examples:
- I will commit fully to each shot.
- I will stay emotionally steady, no matter what happens.
- I will trust the swing I have today.
This becomes your guiding thought, your anchor, your reset point.
Three PGTAA Mental Keys to Set Your Tone Before the Round
- Choose Your Player Identity
Define the qualities you want to compete with today:
Calm. Patient. Decisive. Trusting.
Say it. Breathe it. Own it.
- Select One Guiding Thought
Use a single, simple anchor phrase that reflects your identity:
- Commit and trust.
- Smooth and steady.
- One shot at a time.
You only need one.
- Reset When Necessary
When frustration, tension, or self-judgment arises:
- Pause behind the ball.
- Breathe in through the nose for 4 seconds.
- Breathe out slowly for 6 seconds.
- Repeat your guiding thought.
This resets the nervous system and re-centers your focus.
Final Thought
You cannot control the wind, the greens, your playing partners, or your swing on every swing.
But you always control your thoughts, your tone, and your identity.
Begin every round by choosing who you will be.
Your scorecard will follow.
