Turning Golf Slumps Into Comebacks

I'm sure many were rooting for Tommy Fleetwood during his recent win, especially after the near misses he's had... because we all love a good comeback story! Somebody going from a seemingly low-point to a major high and win!

Have you ever hit a low point in your game? Because when it’s you in the middle of the low point, it’s not so romantic is it?...(I've been there). The shanks, hooks or slices don't feel 'character-building' and the doubt feels endless and exhausting... (been there too).

If your golf game feels off right now - your swing feels weird, the scores are creeping up, and your confidence has taken a hit...you're not alone. Slumps happen, and even the best players go through stretches where nothing seems to click.

In this passage I'm going to show you how turning golf slumps into comebacks can be made a little bit easier. Because what makes a slump last longer, or feel heavier than it needs to often isn’t about what’s happening on the course... it’s about what’s happening in your head.

Firstly, remember this -

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back... it’s about how you land when you fall.

People often talk about resilience like it’s all about how quickly someone gets back on their feet... how fast they recover, how soon they win again, how confidently they return etc.

That's all fair, but arguably it skips over the most important part: what happens in the moment of the fall.

How you land...emotionally, mentally, and even physically, matters just as much, if not more, than how quickly you bounce back.

If you have time, look at Tommy Fleetwood's interview from his second place finish at the Fedex Cup St Judes and notice how he's processing that 'landing'. Would he have been able to take on the win in the week to follow without processing the fall in the way he did? We'll never know... but I'd argue that it helped massively ;)

How to action this to turn your golf slump into a comeback

Quite simply, start practicing the art of landing with self-awareness, self-compassion and composure, rather than with self-blame, panic, or emotional spirals.

"What on earth are you talking about Laura??!" ... Let me give you an example...

Golfer A - "Oh my god, I can't believe I threw it away on the last hole, I'm so s*** at golf. I might as well pack it in because I'm not getting any better and I'm wasting money on being terrible and miserable."

Golfer B - "Wow, that was tough to stomach. I played such good golf today and put myself in a great position that, on reflection, I'm not used to being in. I've perhaps got an opportunity to work on performing under pressure so I can come back and take the win next time. I've seen it's in there now!"

Key Points to remember:

• It's not just about how fast you bounce back. It's about how you treat yourself when you fall... the words you use, the mindset you choose, the story you tell yourself.

• A messy, angry landing can delay the bounce back (and make it harder). A steady, forgiving landing sets up a faster return.

• Practice the art of becoming 'Golfer B'.

Now try these two things:

1. However you would try and make a friend feel better about being in a slump or having a bad round... do that to yourself - (kind words, look for positives, reassure yourself that you're a great player, look at where your opportunities are and take some action on improving them etc.)

2. Go out on your next round with a goal that isn't score-based - when you stop chasing, start enjoying, and take every shot for what it is you'll be amazed at how quickly you actually do start scoring again.

   
   
   
   

If you missed the newsletter, I recently featured on a YouTube series (ongoing) with Gary Martin, PGA Professional. He's been going through a slump with his own golf, and this series gives some really good insight into how mental performance coaching can help. Click here to access the videos.

And finally, if you've tried to battle your way out of a slump and it's not happening for you, I’d love to help. I offer free 30-minute consultation calls where we get clear on what’s really going on and figure out how to start moving forward. Click here to book your free call