Every golfer goes through slumps at some point or another. Slumps occur over an extended period of time when both your mental and your physical skills are at a level considerably lower than normal. This leads to poor scores, increasing averages, increasing frustration and decreasing enjoyment. Before you know it, you feel like you’re struggling to hit any kind of decent shot.
But while a slump can be a frustrating period in your golfing life, it’s not insurmountable. Read on to find out how to dump the slump and get your game back on track.
What causes a slump?
It can sometimes be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of a golf slump, but some of these factors may well be the culprits:
- Sustaining an injury or a drop in physical ability
- Having a long layoff from the sport (whether through injury, illness, lack of time, lack of interest or other pressures)
- Changing your swing (for whatever reason)
- A drop in mental ability
- An equipment change that just doesn’t work for you
- Practicing too little – or too much
- Problems in other areas of your life that spill over and affect your game
- Negative thoughts and emotions, such as fear of failure or playing for the wrong reasons
- Having nothing to aim for in your game, which leads to stagnation
- Overwork, tiredness, stress or burn-out
Knowing what has caused your slump will go a long way towards helping you fix the problem, so spend some time uncovering the cause of your slump, as that will lead you towards the solution.
Here are some general strategies you can try to help you shake off the slump.
Change your mindset
To break out of a slump, you need to change the mindset that has caused your decrease in performance. Take some time to consider your thought processes surrounding your game – and whether they are helpful or not. It’s easy to feel negative about yourself and your game when you’re in a slump, but try and resist the temptation to wallow in self-pity. Take the chance to shake up your mental habits and work on creating a more positive mindset.
Actively intervene in unhelpful thought processes by turning them around into something more helpful, because it’s very hard to play to win when you don’t have much confidence in your game.
Don’t overthink
It’s all too easy to overthink every aspect of your game when you’re trying to remove yourself from a slump, but this rarely helps. Overanalysing your technique and process just makes things worse. Instead, “Keep it simple, Stupid”! Pay attention to the fundamental basics of the swing, set yourself up in the correct address position and just focus on hitting the ball. Keeping it simple might be just what you need to KISS your slump goodbye!
Don’t focus on your score
Focussing on your score can cause you to become stressed and distracted when you’re trying to kick that slump. Give yourself permission to ignore your score for a while, and just focus on the fundamental aspects of your game – and on how much you enjoy it.
Focus on what you can control, rather than what you can’t
Rather than hoping you don’t mess up your shot, focus instead on thoughts that will help your game. Think about playing offensively – playing to win rather than to avoid losing.
Pick a few cues to help you remember necessary corrections and focus points, and repeat them to yourself before you hit your shot. This simple mindset shift will help you focus on what you can control, and thus be more likely to execute it.
Get some quality instruction
Perhaps the quickest way to dump the slump, getting some professional help is always a good idea. A professional can assess your game with fresh eyes, and spot any problems that may have eluded you. Plus, they’ll be able to give you tips, tricks and techniques to fix any issues in your game.
Practice, practice … and then practice some more
Get some confidence and form back in your game with a truckload of practice. Intentionally schedule focussed practice sessions into your diary, and plan for them. Have specific goals for your practice session and design the session to meet these goals. Be disciplined with your practice so that you can cement some rock-solid habits that will stand you in good stead.
Find out how to develop good practice habits here.
Make sure you are physically fit
Is there a chance your slump might be due to something wrong with your body? If you’re playing with a niggling injury or soreness, this could lead to some changes to your swing as you overcompensate to protect the injured body part. And once your swing feels off, everything can feel off, and before you know it your scores have taken a dive.
Make sure you address whatever physical problems you are dealing with, and you should see a steady improvement in your game. Consult whatever professionals you need to so that your body can heal, and make sure you are nourishing your body with healthy food, good sleep and some good old-fashioned stretching.
Click here to discover some handy tips to help golfers avoid back pain.
Remember why you first chose to play golf
Send your mind backwards to when you first took up the game, and remember what attracted you to it in the first place. Was it to challenge yourself, to compete, to socialise, to have fun, because you were good at it, or just because you loved the game? Try and reignite that initial passion for the sport. You’ll generally feel an increase in energy, positivity and purpose that can only help your game.
Have something to aim for
Slumps can often be caused by achieving your goals – but then failing to set new ones. It’s easy to drift when you have nothing to aim for, and lose purpose and direction in your practice and play. Or perhaps you never got around to setting goals in the first place. Rectify this by setting some clear, challenging and attainable goals for your golf, and watch your game elevate.
Click here to discover eight good habits every golfer should develop.
