Focus – The Power is in the Present ©

By Betsy Shoenfelt, Ph.D.

Mental skills can aid your golf game as much as physical skills. We probably recognize the importance of focus in improving our golf game. However, many of us find ourselves distracted even as we attempt to set up for our shot. The key to focus in golf or any other situation is self-talk. Self-talk is what we are saying to ourselves whether it is aloud or silent thoughts. Each of us has only limited attentional space (i.e., the part of our mind that allows us to pay attention). If we allow distractions to enter into this limited attention, then we have less attention left for focusing on our golf game.

There are three keys to proper attentional focus. They are focus on the Present; focus on the Positive, and focus on the Performance. These are referred to as the 3 "P’s" of effective focus. In a performance situation, such as on the golf course, "the power is in the present." The past is history – you cannot change it. The future is a mystery and cannot be impacted at this moment. The one point in time we can impact is right now – the Present. If you are thinking about your past shot (good or poor) or your score for the hole or round, then you are not fully focused on the present shot. You are using your limited attentional space to focus on things you cannot impact. After the shot is taken or the round is completed, you may effectively review your performance. However, while you are playing, your full attention should be on the shot at hand.

The second "P" refers to Positive. We should focus on the correct, positive performance we would like to accomplish. There is a strong mind-body connection such that your body responds to what your mind is thinking. However, the response is largely to the action part of the self-talk; the body does not hear any "do’s" or "don’ts". Thus, saying, "keep my eye on the ball" is much more effective than saying, "don’t take my eye off the ball." What the body responds to in the latter is "…take my eye off the ball" – the action, not the "don’t." Have you ever wondered why you tell yourself "I don’t want to hit into the water," then hit the ball right into the water? Your body is simply responding to what your self-talk is telling it "… hit the ball into the water." Thus it is important to use Positive Self-Talk. Tell yourself "I want to keep the ball on the left side of the fairway" and you will get much better results. After you have taken your shot, reinforce a good shot by visualizing the successful shot. If the shot was not what you desired, visualize yourself correctly performing the shot. Then move on to the next shot and give it your full attention.

The final "P" stands for Performance. Focus on the performance rather than the outcome. That is, focus on the actual behavior you need to use to accomplish the desired outcome. You may want to birdie the hole, but the only way that is going to happen is by hitting a good drive, then a good approach shot, and finally putting well. Focusing on your score (i.e., the outcome), rather than each of these shots as you take them, uses up attentional space. Your full attention is better utilized focusing on the Present Positive Performance you want to accomplish, i.e., focus entirely on the shot you are currently taking. Giving your full attention to your current shot is the most effective means of attaining the desired outcome (e.g., birdie, score for the round).

When you are on the golf course and want to ensure the most effective focus for improving your play, remember to focus on the 3 P’s: the Present, Positive Performance.

© Dr. Betsy Shoenfelt is a sport psychologist on the faculty of Western Kentucky University, a member of the USOC Registry of Sport Psychologists, and a member of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of EWGA. Dr. Shoenfelt may be reached at betsy.shoenfelt@wku.edu or 270-745-4418.

Sport Psychology