The mental game was not a topic I was familiar with growing up. Likely because children never think much about what they are doing. They just do, without fear of result or judgement. It is what I now often hear called “childlike play”. Watch a kid hit golf balls or play any sport, for that matter, and you will understand what I am talking about. It is the freedom that we as adults want back, at least that I want back. To try new things without judging and shaming ourselves. Trying different things and simply playing to figure it out, all with pure joy.
I only came to realize the vast impact the mental game can have on my game within the last few years. Anyone who has played golf knows the importance of the thoughts in between your ears. All sports, for that matter, can be tough to conquer mentally, but golf can be especially tough since it is not a reaction sport. There is no ball or person coming at you that you react to; instead, your ball is reacting to your thoughts. Have you ever stood over a ball trying to not do something? I have, and let me tell you, the ball did exactly what I told it not to do. A prime example of the mental fortitude golf requires. I am sure you have all heard the famous line of don’t think of an orange, and your mind immediately envisions an orange, right? So they tell you to counter that with Think of a lemon. This works because your mind does not hear the word don’t. You must focus on something else to counter a thought. So next time you don’t want to hit in the water, focus on exactly where you want to hit the ball. Pick a tree, or even better, a leaf on that tree, and repeat that to yourself. Focus on what you want to happen, not what you don’t want to happen.
All of this goes to show the wide impact the mind can have on the golf game. It is something that no one will ever conquer. Look at Wyndham Clark, a 2-time US Open Champion. He openly talks about the mental battles he faces on the golf course. It is inevitable.
To get to the level I want to, I know that continuing to develop my mental skills will, as my coach calls it, “forever work”.
On this page, I will share what I am working on with my mental game. I aim to keep myself accountable but also help those who choose to follow along. Maybe some of my work is something you too can work on.
Thank you for reading.
Ryan Flynn
