How To Play Against Better Golfers

Whether you're preparing to play in a casual foursome with highly skilled golfers (or at least golfers who play better than you do), or getting set to tee-off in a tournament against single-digit handicappers, it is only natural to feel nervous. We often are held back from playing our best by those feelings. It need not be that way.

With some effort on your part, and by following the suggestions below, you'll go a long way toward conquering your fears and breaking down a major obstacle in the improvement of your golf game.

1. Forget what you may think others are thinking about your golf game. First, other golfers are too concerned with their own play on the golf course to waste much time thinking about your game. Second, the only people who may be justified in criticizing your game have the term "Golf Professional" after their names. The rest of us are not too far removed from bogey golf. The fact is that most everyone you play with will not be as critical about your golf game as you may think. If they are overly critical, all you have to do is wait a few minutes until they make a poor stroke.
2. Rid yourself of that fear of failure. This one sort of goes hand-in-hand with the first tip. Even the people who call themselves golf professionals fail more times than they succeed in every round of golf. Although we remember the times we miss a short putt or hook a drive out of bounds, those shots are simply a part of history. We will never miss those same putts again. Many past bad shots were also likely brought about by lack of concentration due to worrying about what others think, as described above.
3. Develop and stick to a game plan. Having a game plan does a couple of things for you. First, it keeps you focused on the course and how you will attack each shot. Second, through that concentration, it prevents self-doubt and fear of embarrassment from creeping in. If you allow your mind to stray to unproductive thoughts, just bring them back to the game plan. Your goals for your round of golf are more important than what others may, or may not, be thinking.
4. Play the course, not other people. You have no control over the way someone else plays. By using your game plan to play the course to the best of your ability, you will maximize your scoring possibilities.
5. Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone you compete against in golf is at a different level of skill. Golfers who play at the highest level had to first pass through your level. Focus on playing your own game.

It may not be an overnight success, but practice implementing these tips and inserting steps that only you know will work for you. You’ll be surprised at how well you will perform by not worrying about your competitors. To paraphrase what Jay Leno has been quoted as saying when referring to his success as a comedian, "Just keep the car in your lane, and watch everyone else spin uncontrollably off the highway."