The Battle in Your Head: Be Present. Trust Your Swing.
Settle in. Let’s talk golf.
One of the things I struggle with – besides getting nervous when other people are watching (see my post on being judged on the course) – is what’s going on in my mind.
I’m a thinker.
And by thinker, I mean:
•Did I leave the stove on?
•Should I grab a Monster and a hot dog after this round?
•Is that cart girl coming back?
•Did I answer that email?
•Why does my driver sometimes feel like a medieval weapon?
You know… critical, high-performance athletic thoughts.
And on a golf course? That’s a problem.
Golf Punishes a Busy Brain
I’ve heard it everywhere:
• YouTube lessons
• Golf books
• Podcasts
• Random guy at the range who stripes it
Be present. Be in the moment. Focus on the shot in front of you.
Simple.
Not easy.
Because golf gives your brain time. Too much time. And when your brain has time, it starts “helping.”
That’s when the real trouble begins.
The Two-Part Mental Game That Changed Everything
Over time, I’ve realized there are two critical pieces here:
Be Present
Not the last shot.
Not the next hole.
Not the score.
Not the hot dog.
Just this shot.
The lie.
The wind.
The target.
The shape.
That’s it.
When I truly focus on just the shot in front of me, everything slows down in a good way.
Trust Your Swing (This Is The Big One)
Here’s where I’ve made the biggest mistake.
I step up to the ball… and suddenly I’m a swing coach.
• Feet shoulder width?
• Ball position correct?
• Keep your head down.
• Don’t overswing.
• Hinge correctly.
• Don’t fall over.
• Don’t chunk it.
• Don’t blade it.
• Don’t embarrass yourself.
STOP.
Addressing the ball is not the time for mechanical thoughts.
That work belongs:
• On the range
• In practice sessions
• After the round
When you’re over the ball, it’s time to perform – not to rebuild your swing.
Mechanical thinking at address kills tempo.
And tempo is the heartbeat of your swing.
Watch any elite player and you’ll see it – rhythm first, mechanics already built.
Look at the Great Players
Watch great players.
They don’t stand over the ball running through a checklist.
They pick the shot.
They trust the motion.
They swing with smooth, repeatable tempo.
No panic.
No visible overthinking.
Just commitment.
They’ve done the mechanical work already.
Now they compete.
Tempo Is the Goal
When I stay present and trust my swing:
• My tempo smooths out
• My contact improves
• My balance stays controlled
• My shots are more consistent
When I don’t?
It feels rushed, forced, jerky.
Overthinking kills rhythm.
And golf is rhythm.
My Simple On-Course Rule Now
I’ve started following a simple rule:
No swing thoughts once I step in.
Pick the target.
One simple feel (if anything).
Commit.
Swing.
If I’m making technical changes mid-round, I’ve already lost the battle.
Practice builds the swing.
Trust releases it.
Real Talk
We are not robots.
We’re weekend golfers with jobs, families, stress, and yes – thoughts about post-round snacks.
The goal isn’t a blank mind.
It’s a committed one.
Stick to your routine.
Trust your swing.
Let the result be whatever it’s going to be.
And save the Monster and hot dog decisions for the clubhouse at the end of the round.
My In-Round Mental Script
1. Pick a specific target.
2. One swing feel (if needed).
3. Deep breath.
4. Commit fully.
No swing rebuilds allowed.
The Next Shot
Your next shot doesn’t need more swing thoughts – just more commitment.
Pick the target. Take a breath. Then trust what you’ve built.
Let the swing show up.
Are you an overthinker too?
Be honest.
Are you solving life problems over the ball… or just hitting it?
Drop it in the Clubhouse – I know I’m not the only one debating hot dogs mid-backswing.
Real Talk. Play Better.
Effort builds results.
