Mental Golf Tournament Tips to Win
Make the Most of Your Practice Rounds
Make the most of your practice rounds on the golf course by focusing on every aspect of your game. Whether you’re an amateur or a pro aspiring to play like Tiger Woods in his prime, each round is a chance to improve your game. Embrace the short game and hone your skills with your wedge and putter on the putting green. Visualize each putt and work on your scoring ability (not technique) to ensure you’re ready for tournament golf. Remember, it’s about playing your game, so develop your game plan and focus on one shot at a time.
As you navigate the 18 holes, pay attention to your mental energy and embrace the challenge of potential hazards. Use your yardage book wisely to help make decisions as you understand the nuances of the course. Each swing matters, so try to play each hole with intention (even if it’s just to learn that hole). When you encounter a bad hole, maintain your focus and remember your pre-shot routines to keep your head in the game. Practice makes perfect, so take this opportunity to play at least a few holes like you’re already playing in the tournament.
To help you get the most from every practice round, I’ve developed the 7 Steps to a Better Practice Round checklist. This checklist will remind you to mark your lines off the tees, identify trouble around the greens, and confirm green speeds, ensuring you’re prepared for anything the course throws at you. Download the checklist now and turn every practice round into a powerful step toward playing your best golf when it matters most.
Letting Go of Results: A Crucial Step in How to Win a Golf Tournament
As a golfer, one of the biggest challenges you face is letting go of results. Whether you're at the first tee or navigating a tricky water hazard, focusing on the outcome can create a lot of pressure that makes it harder to play well. Instead, embrace the present moment. Visualize your best shots and trust the time you've spent practicing. Every round of golf is a new opportunity to play your best and execute your game plan, regardless of your handicap. Remember, even the best PGA professionals understand that the game starts with a clear mind.
In both stroke play and match play formats, it’s essential to focus on the process rather than the score. Each hole is a chance to play that solitary hole the best you can, making decisions that are best suited for your ability vs that course. When you let go of trying to control your way to the lowest score, you open yourself up to playing great golf. Keep your process simple and trust it to produce the results you so desperately want. Remember, every amateur golfer makes mistakes, so embrace the journey, and you might just find yourself in a playoff for that coveted trophy!
Trust Your Routine: The Foundation of Consistent Golf
My coaching and the Score Better Video Program emphasize that building and trusting your routine is the true foundation for mental dominance on the golf course. A consistent pre-shot routine—one you practice until it becomes second nature—anchors you in the present and frees you from worrying about results. Your routine is more than just a checklist before you hit the ball; it’s a process that includes refocusing your mind, visualizing your shot, and reacting with confidence. This reliable sequence not only calms nerves but also helps you reset after every shot, good or bad, so you can stay composed and committed throughout your round.
Players at every level, from aspiring juniors to senior champions, have seen dramatic improvements by making their routine the centerpiece of their mental game. As one of my students shared, “He taught me how to establish a consistent routine and commit to it every single shot, every single day... These four R's—Refocus, Routine, React, Relax—have helped my game and my scores more than anything.” When you trust your routine, you give yourself the best chance to play your game, let go of past mistakes, and focus on the shot in front of you—one swing at a time.
Incorporate this mindset into every practice round and tournament, and you’ll not only let go of results—you’ll discover what it means to truly play to win.
Ready to Master How to Win a Golf Tournament?
If you want to master how to win a golf tournament, it’s crucial to commit to your routines and have a solid understanding of the rules of golf. While I'm based in the U.S, my Score Better Video Program is available to tournament golfers around the world. Wherever you play, this program will help you learn to win.
