Remember when you first picked up a club? Can you recall the excitement of lifting that first ball into the air? What a feeling of achievement! 

Once bitten by the bug, some golfers simply enjoy a wonderful stroll in the countryside whilst having a game and a chat with friends. There are however the competitors, the pot hunters, the players who continually endeavour to improve. 

There is nothing whatsoever wrong with being competitive. It is healthy to develop your potential. Without a challenge, life and sport would become rather boring. Indeed, it is the challenge upon which the competitor feeds. 

In your early days progress is often swift and satisfaction immense. Because your goals are numerous your perception of achievement is high. 

As you get better at golf and your handicap reduces, achievement becomes more of a challenge. It is perfectly normal to experience frustration as the game permits you fewer and fewer mistakes. Remain realistic or you risk becoming negative. Unless your attitude stays positive you’ve got more to worry about than you can imagine.  

By setting yourself new and realistic goals you can maintain a positive ‘onward and upward’ mentality, rather than beating yourself up at every opportunity. 

Whilst your overall attitude is important, you must understand that your emotional state  controls you hour by hour, minute by minute. 

By understanding what your brain might be doing to you and learning how to control your thought processes, you can unlock your true potential. 

Let’s be clear though, on its own psychology is not a magic solution. It is not a substitute for technical ability or fitness. It is however equally important – the high octane fuel for the performance mind. 

You will need to practice thought control in much the same way as you might practice stroke technique – to a point where it becomes an automatic process.