Perhaps no game challenges a player mentally more than golf.
Think about it.
Often, you are on the golf course for more than four hours, with nobody to rely on other than yourself. All the good and bad, ultimately, falls on your shoulders.
I was speaking with a student-athlete recently from a track and field team. They questioned how golfers maintain their focus and concentration for such a long period of time.
My answer was simple: Golfers only need to focus and concentrate for 30 seconds at a time.
You’ve heard the saying, “Stop and smell the roses.” That is basically what I’m asking each of you to do when you’re on the golf course.
Enjoy the time you spend between shots, and you will find that your golf game will improve. You need to create your own 30-second window.
A golfer’s 30-second window refers to the time you should spend preparing for, and, ultimately, executing your golf shot. It’s during these 30 seconds that you should amp up your focus and concentration.
You must first begin by establishing a consistent preshot routine. Generally, this routine would begin AFTER you have already determined your distance and club selection.
Once your club is in your hands, you should be at a level of 100% focus and concentration. Perhaps you take a couple of practice swings before stepping up to hit your shot. Maybe you simply focus on your target and take some deep breaths to calm your nerves.
Whatever the case may be, make your routine specific to your golf game.
No more than 30 seconds should elapse from the time you begin preparing for your shot until the time the shot has been executed. If you can learn to be completely focused during that stretch of time, you will play better golf, and you will finally have the time to stop and smell the roses.
