Golf Meditation: Will it help shoot lower scores?
For the previous year, I have seen the benefits of meditation and mindfulness in my daily life.
Thanks to Calm, the most widely used meditation app, I find myself in better control of my emotions on and off the golf course.
The app has what they call “The Daily Calm”. This guided meditation lasts about 10 minutes and focuses on a new theme every day. I found that the more I did it, the more I enjoyed it. In fact, it has been known to be an immediate relief for any anxiety in that moment. For those suffering with a form of anxiety, a daily meditation practice may be a remedy for you.
Some of you may already be meditating. Either daily, or whenever needed. Finding a 5-10 minute window for breathing and being still is vital to a healthy mindset. If you are, that’s fantastic and you already know some of the benefits.
If meditation is new to you, especially how it relates to golf, then this will hopefully influence you to take that first step and see if it works for you as well.
For the longest time, I was a pretty decent golfer. I could shoot in the 80s, sometimes 70s. I had a relatively on-plane swing. I enjoyed the recreation of playing golf. But as I grew older into my 20s, I found my scores become consistently higher. My average score would be in the low 90s, even though I felt my swing and ability was much better than the score. This would leave me frustrated and sometimes question why I even played golf,.
Turning 30 years old and steering my game into a new decade, I looked beyond swing mechanics and training aids to focus on my emotions and mindset around my game.
Picking up Zen Golf, and hearing its effects players proved that my mental muscles for golf were not in shape. I had too much negative self talk, inability to recover from bad results, and a pessimistic mindset towards misfortune.
After reading Zen Golf and using The Daily Calm, I can quiet those negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.
Trading phrases like “you stink” into “you’re fine over there”. Speaking sarcasm and laughing after the bad shots. Staying calm by having a relaxed posture throughout the day.
Does this remind you of anyone?
How about some of the best golfers in the world? It is very rare that we see players on TV complaining about the wind, breaking clubs, or swearing loud enough for the whole course to hear it.
That is because their minds are just as in shape as their golf swings. They are disciplined, and in control. Those that have that brief moment, are showing that they are human too. It’s not easy to keep your emotions under control when a golf tournament is on the line.
How to insert Meditation into your Golf Life:
Daily Meditation practice
Breathing exercises
Read Zen Golf
The next time you land in a bunker, no need to get stressed out. Take a breath and tell yourself: “here is just another shot”.
“Golf is a game of the body and mind”. The body relates to feel and muscle memory while the mind relates to visualization and focus. When one can solely focus on the task at hand without distraction, they are more likely to succeed.
Happiness derives from our relationship with golf. If we are only happy when we hit every shot perfect, we won’t be happy very often. By adjusting expectations and emotions associated with golf, one can enjoy themselves much more without any change in their score. Inevitably, this will take your “mental side” of golf to a new level. One where it is out of the way and not concerned with score. Allowing you to focus, be present and in the zone.
Pairing the focus of meditation with disciplined swing thoughts is the formula for a mindful golfer. Someone who is calm and enjoying the day, regardless of what their scorecard reads.