4 Ways To Build Momentum And Play Better Golf

When momentum is on your side, golf seems easy. You’re making birdies, saving par at will, and riding a wave of confidence. But golf is not easy when you’re tugged under by an undercurrent of negative momentum. A golfer can be in one of three momentum states: positive momentum, negative momentum, or neutral. A state of negative momentum can ruin your day and round. Here, I discuss ways to build momentum and turn negative momentum into positive momentum.

1. Look for Good Breaks
When you’re good, you’re lucky. If you look for “good breaks” such as when your tee shot hits a tree and bounces back into the fairway, you’ll notice more of them. It’s easier to see good breaks and ignore bad ones when playing well. But if you’re not playing well, it’s easier to see bad breaks and ignore the good ones. “I’m just not lucky today” you say after your tee shot comes to rest in a divot. Don’t make matters worse by looking for or expecting bad breaks. You can’t control bad luck, but you can control how you respond to bad breaks.

2. Be Positive About Every Shot
Momentum is an emotional phenomenon. Negative momentum can be created by negative emotions during play. When you haven’t made any birdies and feel no momentum, do you become a doubter and get down? Pessimism and feelings of despair only accelerate negative momentum. The more you focus on mistakes and what you did wrong, the greater your despair. Pick out one thing you did well on each shot. Did you make a good decision? Did you pick a smart target? Did you execute well? Was it a good result? You can usually find one positive in every shot.

3. Every Shot is a New Opportunity
How can you create momentum when nothing is happening? Do you have to wait for something good to happen before you can turn it around? The best place to start is with your attitude. View each hole and every shot as a new opportunity to turn it around. There is no better time than right now! If you maintain a fatalistic attitude, you may never make that first birdie. Don’t wait for that birdie to come by accident. Turn your day around by treating each shot as a new opportunity to get back on track and create momentum. Tell yourself: “this shot is going to get me back on track and spark my round”!

4. Ride it all the Way
When momentum is your friend, you can ride it all the way to the clubhouse. But if you think, “it’s too good to be true” when you are five under after nine that perfect wave can crash. Making too many birdies too fast can frighten some players. They go into protect mode and wait for the next big mistake to bring them back to reality. Now is the time to take advantage of momentum and ride it all the way in. If you are five under, try to get to six, and if you are at six, get to seven!