Dealing with Bad Shots & Distractions

What to Know

Slow groups, missed shots, loud carts. Distractions are part of golf. The best players expect them and have a reset plan when their rhythm gets hijacked.

Why It Matters

Cognitive interference (like frustration or distraction) reduces accuracy and decision-making (Beilock et al., 2001).

Staying neutral after mistakes is a competitive edge.

What Helps

Use a reset routine: deep breath, physical trigger (e.g. touch glove), verbal cue (“next one”).

Be curious, not critical. What happened and what’s the smart play from here?

Have a between-shot routine. Chat with your group, chew gum, keep energy low.

Visualize the next shot rather than ruminating on the last.

Try This Today

Set a '10-yard rule': give yourself 10 yards to be pissed, then fully reset before your next shot.

Pro Tip

Reframe distractions as mental training. They’re reps for staying composed when it counts.