The Mental Approach to Golf - Play like you just don't care

There are many books, videos and courses on how to swing a golf club, but there are very few on how to think about your swing. It's the hardest part of the game and it is different for every golfer. That's why so many people have good swings and low handicaps, but so few can compete on par with the pros.

You do not have to be a pro to get a huge boost in your game from how you think about it. Your metal approach to golf may likely be the single biggest reason your game is struggling to improve after all the years practicing. How many times have you warmed up on the range and hit an entire bucket of balls nearly perfect (we tend to remember the good shots with greater ease) and went to the first tee and hit a high stinky slice about 185 yards into the trees? You've been there and it's no fun.

After all those good shots on the practice range, where did that come from? It came from your mental approach. Now, if you play with friends and are liberal with the rules of golf, you likely re-loaded and hit a mulligan on the first tee and striped it down the middle. Why, because you just went up and hit it. No thoughts, no fear.

The fear that you will hit a stinky slice, or miss a put or skull a chip are far more damaging to your game than a nicely placed bunker. If you are not making a good swing, but instead trying not to slice, you are headed for trouble. When did you try not to slice on the practice range-you simply remembered the fundamentals and took a good swing and hit the ball. There are no consequences if you failed, you know that you have a whole bucket of balls to try again.

Think about swinging the club and simply having the ball get in the way as you do it. Stop trying to hit the ball and just swing. Good tempo, good fundamentals and a new swing thought-just let the ball get in the way of the club. You will be shocked at how that will open up your game and boost your confidence.

Try playing a couple holes where you don't care about the outcome, but just want to make a good swing and let the club do the work. You'll be surprised at how free your swing feels and what your body actually can do during the swing. Remember the time you pulled out a 7 iron to lay up to a hazard and crush it too far into the drink. (You've been there too!)

This is very hard to do because we all want to hit the perfect shot every time. Golf isn't about always hitting the perfect shot, but finding a way to get the ball in that little 4- ¼ inch hole in the least amount of stokes. Take the pressure off yourself and you'll be surprised at the results.