| Do you find less than perfect conditions discouraging? | | | | An accomplished player maintains a positive attitude |
| Players tend to judge their performance by their | | | | by seeing challenges as a way to improve her game. |
| most recent score, and spend a lot of time after a | | | | The accomplished player also enjoys competing |
| round obsessing on an extra stroke from landing in a | | | | against others, and finds that healthy competition can |
| divot, or by the wind affecting their lie on a green. | | | | boost motivation and goal setting. Although player |
| By focusing on what could have been if the | | | | competition is a regular and enjoyable part of golf, it |
| conditions were perfect, players end up dwelling on | | | | is important to remain performance oriented and to |
| the bogeys, rather than cherishing the birdies. A half | | | | focus on your own game rather than thinking about |
| empty glass rather than half full! Circumstances will | | | | keeping up with or falling behind your opponent. |
| vary each time you play, weather and fairway | | | | Although you are playing against an opponent, it is |
| conditions fluctuate even on the most meticulously | | | | advantageous to keep in mind that you are really |
| maintained courses. It is how you perceive and | | | | competing against the golf course. Your main focus |
| manage these challenges that make you a better | | | | should be to improve your personal score and not to |
| player. Getting out of a tough position just once is all | | | | beat your playing partner. Placing too much emphasis |
| it takes to fuel your confidence and add to your level | | | | on your playing partner's performance will only |
| of experience. Each time you hit the ball from a | | | | distract you from your own goals and will cause you |
| challenging lie, you have learned something about | | | | to play differently than you normally would to try to |
| your technique whether you hit a good shot or bad | | | | match or surpass their skill level. |
| one. No matter what the result of your shot, you | | | | Tips |
| become more skilled in assessing what to do the | | | | 1. See challenges on the golf course as an |
| next time you are in that situation. If you view a | | | | opportunity to improve your game. |
| challenging situation as a productive experience, you | | | | 2. Focus on playing your own game, not how well |
| will not only avoid disappointment, you will improve | | | | your opponent is doing. You are playing against the |
| your judgment and technical skills. | | | | course, and your goal should be to improve your own |
| Are you using competition to your advantage? | | | | game, not to measure yourself against others. |