Whether you are brand new to the game of golf or you are someone who has been playing for over 20 years, it is pretty much guaranteed that at some point you will have a bad round of golf or lose some confidence on the course. We have all felt the frustration and discouragement of bad shots and bad rounds. In this discussion, we want to speak to those golfers who may be struggling with confidence on the course and list some ways to remain positive and upbeat while you are still learning!

It is important to remember that no matter how you are playing, your attitude and overall energy is vital to your game and mindset. If you have confidence and a positive attitude on the course, it will not only make a world of difference for you and your own game, but others who you are playing with as well.

Golf is an extremely mental game and it is imperative that you do your best to have a positive mindset and attitude every time you are playing a round of golf. It is amazing how a mindset can change how you play - if you are nervous, or lack confidence, you quite literally have a higher chance of making mistakes and playing worse. If you have confidence, concentration and positivity, you will undoubtedly have a better round. 

Even if you are new to the game, don’t be nervous - remember that everyone at some point was also new to the game. Try your best, remember to play at an appropriate pace, and keep positive no matter what! We guarantee that if you show confidence and positivity, no one will care if you do not play well (as long as you keep up pace). 

Here are some tips that will help you have that confidence when you get to the course:

Look Good, Feel Good

You know the saying - if you look good, you feel good. And if you feel good, you’ll play better. If you put on one of your favorite golf outfits and are feeling your best, your attitude and confidence will 100% reflect that. Hint, hint...you know, one of your favorite Nevis dresses or skirt & polo combinations will definitely do the trick! The last thing you want to do is show up to a golf course without golf specific attire. Many courses have strict dress codes and fellow golfers have pride when it comes to golf etiquette and dress code. Don’t show up with short shorts or leggings, you want to feel like a golfer to play like one. 

Practice Before a Round

If you have a set tee time, try to show up at least 45 minutes to an hour earlier so you have some time to practice on the range. Warm up, stretch, do some practice swings, and then work your way up through the clubs doing a few practice shots with each club. Hit some drives, irons, wedge shots, etc. Your body needs to get loosened up before a round and get comfortable with the swinging motion and rhythm. 

Take a Breath and Remember to Smile 

Before you take a shot, remember to breathe and force yourself to relax. Swing easy and don’t take your eyes off of the ball. No matter how it ends up, just smile and remember to have fun! What’s the worst case scenario - you duff a shot and have to do it again. No problem - just keep up pace and don’t get nervous. Golf is not a team sport; you are not letting anyone down if you don’t play well. If you are brand new to the game, no one will mind if you even decide to pick up your ball and drop it near your fellow players ball to keep up pace. Relax, smile, and remember you will get better the more you play. You got this!

Stay Positive and Upbeat

To be frank, nothing spoils a golf outing like a bad sport. Everyone has bad golf days, but if you become sour and negative about it, it now affects everyone else's game and time as well. It can be hard to be happy-go-lucky when you are playing poorly, but just try to remember that a bad day of golf is better than a good day at the office. You are outside, most likely with friends or family, just try to enjoy it even if you aren’t playing well. People will notice your attitude and will enjoy playing with you no matter what! This positive mindset will help build your confidence and you will without a doubt notice a difference in your game if you make an effort to remain happy and fun - even if you have some bad shots. 

Give Yourself Credit & Focus on the Good

Building confidence on the course comes from giving yourself credit where you deserve it. Focus on your good shots and be excited about them! Golf is a lot harder than it looks; every time you improve or have a great shot, be happy about it and be proud of yourself. Remember that you don’t wake up one day and have Tiger Woods’ skill level. It takes time and lots of practice to hone in on your skills. Everyone has bad days, but you will absolutely have good days as well. Enjoy the process of learning and focus on what you did really well each time you play a round. 

Final Thoughts

As everyone knows, confidence comes from within. Believe in yourself and have a positive mindset on the course and you will undoubtedly see an improvement in your game. Don’t worry if you are new to the game of golf, everyone was new at one point! Do your best, keep that smile on your face, focus on the good and look the part! You will improve the more you play so be easy on yourself and remember that everyone has bad days of golf. No one will remember your score but they will remember your attitude and overall mood! Be confident and it will positively affect both your time and your game!