Blog · Category
Golf Psychology
Don't Think About the Water: Why Avoiding It Has the Opposite Effect
A psychologist asked participants not to think about a white bear for five minutes. The results also explain why the ball so often lands exactly where you least want it to.
Pre-Shot Routines: How Pros Use Rituals to Cope with Pressure
From a purely physical standpoint, three waggles don't change the swing at all. Nevertheless, data from the European Tour shows why the step taken before the swing matters more than you might think.
The First Swing: Why Other People's Stares Are More Stressful Than the Swing Itself
Technically speaking, the first swing is often the easiest. Still, that's when your hand shakes the most—because of the people waiting nearby, not because of the swing itself.
The Yips: Why Your Mind Suddenly Loses Control of the Putt
Ralf List on his own experiences with the yips, research on focal dystonia, and the connection to his painting THE FINAL PUT.
AimPoint and the Art of Distrusting Your Own Instincts
For years, I read with my eyes. Then I came across a method that told me I should trust my feet instead—and in doing so, taught me something much more fundamental.