Managing Expectations: How Adjusting Your Mindset Improves Golf Performance

As a golf psychologist, I want to talk about the importance of managing expectations, especially under challenging conditions, and how it can significantly improve your performance and mindset on the course.

Take Aldrich Potgieter, for example, the runner-up at this year’s Mexico Open. He set his own personal “par” at 66, even though the actual par was 72. Given his impressive length off the tee, Potgieter believed he could birdie every par-5 and even pick up a couple more birdies throughout the round.

I’ve experienced a similar situation, though from the other side of the coin. A few years ago, when I played the Old Course at St. Andrews, the starter informed us that the par for the day would be 80 due to 30mph winds. At first, I thought this was unusual, but as I made my way around the course, I quickly realized that 80 would be an excellent score under such conditions. I adjusted my expectations and embraced a new, more relaxed approach. Lowering my expectations freed me up mentally and helped me truly enjoy the experience, no longer feeling the weight of unrealistic goals.

This is an important lesson, especially for young golfers. We often have a tendency to expect our typical scores, regardless of the conditions. But when the weather turns or when things aren't going our way, we need to be flexible with those expectations. If you find yourself in tough conditions—like strong winds or rain—adjust your idea of what a good score is for that day. Maybe instead of aiming for your usual par of 72, you raise that expectation to 76 or higher. This adjustment helps reduce the pressure and creates a healthier, more positive mindset when you inevitably encounter a bogey or two.

Here are 3 great tips to manage your expectations and keep a great mindset:

• Reframe "Par" for the Day: Before heading out on the course, take a moment to assess the conditions—wind, rain, or challenging course setups—and adjust your expectations. If the weather is tough, set a more achievable personal "par" for the day, like raising your target score by a few strokes. This mental shift allows you to manage pressure and focus on enjoying the round rather than stressing over a score that might be unrealistic for the day’s conditions.
• Focus on Process Over Outcome: Instead of fixating on the final score, concentrate on the process of playing—maintaining a positive mindset, staying present, and executing each shot to the best of your ability. When conditions are challenging, embracing the process and being flexible with your expectations will help you maintain a healthier attitude, even when things don’t go according to plan.
• Practice Mental Flexibility: When you start a round, imagine different scenarios, including the possibility of tough conditions or unexpected obstacles. This prepares your mind to be flexible and adaptable during the round. The more you practice adjusting expectations in advance, the more likely you are to stay calm and focused when things aren’t going as expected on the course.

In the end, the key takeaway is this: Lower your expectations in challenging conditions and watch your attitude improve. This simple shift can help you play with more freedom, less stress, and ultimately, greater enjoyment on the course.

About the author: Dr. Gregg Steinberg was voted by Golf Digest as one of the world's greatest sport psychologist. He has worked with many PGA and LPGA tour winners as well as the University of Men's Golf team that won the NCAA Championships. To see more articles like this one, please visit the International Golf Psychology Association on-line course at www.masteringgolfpsychology. Use the promo code hurricane199 to get the course for half off. If you want to work on your mental game with Dr. Gregg, please e-mail [email protected] and to see more about him visit www.DrGreggSteinberg.com.