THE TICK GAME!
A Simple Trick to Master Your Mental Game In Golf | The Tick Game
I've been playing golf for a long time, and one thing I've consistently heard from fellow golfers is their desire for more consistency. We all want that perfectly repeatable swing, shot after shot. But here's a secret I've learned: true consistency in golf isn't just about the physical swing. It's about mastering your mental game, and often, our mental routines are far more inconsistent than our swings.
The Real Problem: Inconsistent Mental Routines
It's unrealistic for me to expect a perfectly consistent golf swing every single time. There are so many variables, and let's face it, we're human! However, what I can control is my mental process before each shot. Many golfers, myself included at times, overlook the inconsistency in their mental routines. [00:32]
Introducing "The Tick Game"
To combat this, I developed a simple yet powerful mental routine I call "The Tick Game." It's designed to help me bring consistency to my pre-shot mental process. The core idea is to focus on asking myself one specific, useful question before every single shot during a round of golf. [01:40]
For example, a question I often use is: "What would a good shot look like from here?" This question is incredibly versatile and applies to any type of shot – whether I'm on the tee, putting, chipping, or even in a bunker. [01:48]
How I Play "The Tick Game"
It's straightforward to implement:
Before I tee off: I decide on one useful question that I will ask myself before every single shot for the entire round. [01:37]
During the round:
My Goal: My aim is to get 18 ticks in a round of golf, meaning I successfully executed my mental routine on every shot of every hole. [02:57]
Why "The Tick Game" Works for Me
This game isn't just a gimmick; it genuinely helps me improve my mental game:
Focus and Attention: It forces me to direct my focus and attention to what's important before each shot. [03:13]
Builds Routine: It helps me establish a consistent mental process, which is invaluable under pressure. [03:06]
Identifies Useful vs. Useless Questions: It encourages me to think about the quality of the questions I'm asking myself. Questions about club selection or aim, for instance, should be addressed before I'm standing over the ball, not when I'm about to swing. [03:24]
Develops Mental Strength: Consistently applying this routine builds mental resilience over time. [04:30]
Long-Term Benefits and Insights I've Gained
With practice, this chosen question becomes an ingrained habit. It took me about six months of full-time tour play to consistently achieve 18 ticks, but the effort was worth it.
Through playing "The Tick Game," I've learned to differentiate between a good process and a good score, which has significantly helped me control my emotions and accept outcomes. For example, I once shot 2-3 over par – not a great score for a pro – but I achieved 18 ticks. This showed me that I did everything well mentally despite some bad luck. [05:23] Conversely, I once shot a course record 7 under par with only 15 ticks, indicating I got lucky on some shots where my mental process wasn't ideal. Over time, these mental habits become automatic, leading to more consistent emotional control.
I challenge you to try "The Tick Game" in your next few rounds. It's not rocket science, but consistent effort in mental training can truly transform your golf game.
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