Sergio Garcia’s Winning Mindset
All golfers desire that smooth stroke that enables them to hit powerful, accurate shots. Interestingly, a fluid stroke is the result of not just physical practice but also mental factors.
When you are playing your best golf, you are in a “thought-free” zone, that is, you are swinging the club without consciously thinking about technique, judging your swing, or worrying about the results of your shots.
When you are in this type of “free” mindset, your body is relaxed and your mind is clear. An uncluttered mind allows you to focus on the task at hand and trust in your practice.
That opposite of a “free” mindset is a overactive mindset where negative thoughts and distractions swirl around your head causing tension, anxiety and over thinking.
When you are tense, your swing is uncomfortable, mechanical and forced. This type of mental clutter often causes a golfer to overthink and could potentially lead to the yips.
An intriguing example of how a golfer’s mindset affects their game is the story of Sergio Garcia.
Garcia’s story demonstrates how a cluttered mindset can lead to disastrous results in golf…
Garcia turned pro in 1999 after a stellar amateur career.
Garcia won his first European title in his sixth start as a professional and gained prominence when he battled Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA Championship, where he eventually finished second, losing by one stroke.
From 2001-2008, Garcia won seven PGA Tournaments and six European titles.
Over the course of the next eight years (2009-2016), Garcia was only able to muster five combined PGA and European Tour victories and battled with the yips in 2012.
The biggest heart-breaker for Garcia was his poor showings in Major Championships (0-for-73).
Garcia’s mental game was slowly unraveling and his negativity played out in excuse making, complaining, blaming and pessimism.
After the 2012 Masters, Garcia said, “I’m not good enough… I don’t have the thing that I need to have to win majors.”
Garcia’s negativity made his putting so tense and mechanical that he often left putts short.
Garcia decided something had to change in 2017…
Rather than tinkering with his swing, Garcia decided to improve his mental game.
Garcia focused on being positive and having a free mindset which lead to a better swing and better results in tournaments.
After winning the Omega Dubai Desert Classic earlier in the year, Garcia achieved his biggest breakthrough… Winning the 2017 Masters Tournament, his first Major title.
Garcia won the tournament in a playoff with a birdie on first extra hole.
Garcia attributes his success this season to having a more positive mental approach to the game of golf.
GARCIA: “Probably it’s because my mentality has a changed a little bit, the way I’m thinking things.”
It is truly amazing how much you can improve your golf game by improving your mental game.
A “Free” Mindset During a Round of Golf
Remember, a “free” mindset is one where you are free to play your game without getting pulled down by irrelevant thoughts.
You want to simplify your approach to every shot by only having one swing trigger or swing cue.
Avoid focusing on the outcome and especially the negative outcome of missing a shot or three-putting, which only creates tension.
If you hit a bad shot, don’t stop to fix it in the middle of the round. Let go of analyzing what’s wrong and use what’s working!
Get all my mental game strategies for golfers with The Golfer’s Mental Edge.
Learn Proven Strategies to Perform with Confidence!
Do you suffer from:
- Fragile self-confidence after missed hits?
- Playing with strict or high expectations that undermine confidence?
- The inability to play freely and relaxed on the course?
If you suffer from lack of focus, low self-confidence or other mental game obstacles on the course, you cant reach your true golf potential…
What are mental game customers saying?
“I am so grateful for your insights and experience. My focus is sharp and I feel relaxed but ready to meet whatever challenge comes up. If I make a mistake, I am able to let it go and move on immediately. You have really helped me allot to get back on track and get things going again.”
~Suzanne Strudwick, LPGA Tour
“I think Dr. Cohn’s research with players, and studying great players, being around great players, and working with players, has given him the insights and the keys to what makes a great putter. Dr. Cohn’s instruction will help players of any skill level improve their putting.”
~Grant Waite, PGA Tour Winner
Learn Powerful Golf Confidence Strategies!
Learn Powerful Golf Confidence Strategies!What are mental game customers saying?
“After working with you at the end of 2001, I went from 51st to 18th on the Buy.com money list. Mentally, I am a much better player now. Your golf psychology lessons on setting goals, playing without expectations, and reacting well to mistakes has made a big difference. Thanks for all your help and I look forward to continuing to improve my mental game.”
~Tjaart Van Der Walt, Buy.com Tour Winner
“You helped me with my routine—it’s almost like it has a flow to it—you pull your club and boom you are into it. You should glide through the routine. It’s when you try to make yourself stick to a cadence; the routine feels out of sync. Helping me get into the flow of the routine has been a big help.”
~Joe Durant, PGA Tour winner
Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with personal coaching.
You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
What are our mental coaching students saying?
“Just wanted to say thank you Patrick for the many years of golf psychology training you have given me to help all the players the Good Lord sends my way and all the knowledge you have assisted me with over the years at the various seminars, tapes, and reading material. It is not often enough that we thank those who have played a significant part in our growing as instructors in this great game of ours. You have helped me in many ways and many of my players are that much better because of your influence in me.”
~Joe Thiel, PGA Master Golf Professional
“I have spent hundreds to dollars on clubs, putters, etc. always looking for answers. But I knew this was not going to work because I have some internal issues I had to deal with on the golf course. Working with Dr. Cohn on mental game by far is the best investment I have made. I have some great tools to work on to see my mental game improve. I feel better now than I have ever have on the golf course and I thank you so much for helping me with the positive mental direction.”
~Sean McQueary