However, when our self-talk assumes negative undertones, for example, “I bet I don’t make this putt” “I´m not going to miss that water obstacle”,
“I hate this hole, I never play well on this hole” we run the risk of triggering a chain reaction of events that can affect our golf negatively.

A direct connection exists between the way you think and the way you perform. The way we think, affects the way we feel and the way we feel affects the way we act.

NB: Not all negative thoughts are necessarily bad. Some negative thoughts are potentially useful - they act as alarm signals, a warning that we need to take action e.g. “Oh no, this is a wedge shot and I haven’t practised my wedge play for ages.” ACTION: To build wedge play practice into my next weeks practice sessions.

Regular negative self talk can also lead to the development of a limiting belief or set of limiting beliefs. For example, take the golfer who continually tells himself on arriving at the 9th hole at his local club that he will not miss the water obstacle. It is likely that this way of thinking will result in the chain reaction described above.

On approaching his shot, his negative thoughts are likely to make him feel apprehensive and nervous. His rhythm and tempo will be disrupted and he will probably end up steering the shot rather than taking a nice, fluid swing. The chances are hat his ball will end up finding the water and so a self-fulfilling prophecy cycle has occurred!

Commit to taking charge of your thinking on the golf course. Remember - they are your thoughts – you can decide what you want to listen to.

The way you choose to think can enhance your performance or weaken it. You cannot stop thoughts popping into your mind but you can train yourself to deal with these thoughts effectively. You control your thoughts, not the other way round.