How To Regain Control On The Golf Course When Nothing Goes Your Way
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2025-03-10
By Dr. Barry Lotz, www.pgtaa.com
Every golfer, from weekend warriors to seasoned professionals, has faced rounds where nothing seems to go right. Your drives stray off course, your short game betrays you, and putts that should drop cruelly lip out. Even if a few shots go your way, they aren't enough to offset the frustration of an overall poor performance.
On days like these, frustration is just the beginning. Feelings of worthlessness, anger, hopelessness, and even depression can creep in. These emotions, if left unchecked, don’t just ruin one round—they can linger and impact future tournaments. The key to playing your best golf in the next competition is developing a practical and effective strategy to handle these moments.
All too often, golfers are given simplistic advice like, “Just forget it.” But has that ever worked? True competitors need a structured approach to move past bad rounds and improve for the next one.
A Practical Approach to Handling Bad Rounds
It is What It Is
Don't suppress or sugarcoat your feelings. Acknowledge them without self-judgment: “That was one of the worst rounds of my career.” Recognizing the reality of a bad performance is the first step in moving forward.
Redefine Your Goals
Ask yourself: “Are my goals realistic?” If your expectations are too high, frustration is inevitable. Adjust your objectives to focus on consistent progress rather than perfection.
Rework Your Plan
Analyze your performance: “What adjustments can I make?” Maybe it’s a technical change like tweaking your grip, adding strength training, or working on your mental game. Growth comes from strategic refinement.
Stay Committed, Don't Quit
The best way to overcome frustration and hopelessness is to take control of your game. Commit to improvement by identifying specific areas to work on and following through with focused practice.
Lessons from the Tour: Max Homa’s Mental Toughness
Even top professionals struggle. Consider Max Homa, who went nine months without a top-10 finish before the 2025 Genesis Invitational. In April 2023, Homa was ranked No. 5 in the world. By February 2025, after missing the cut at Genesis, he had dropped to 61st.
Rather than making excuses, Homa openly acknowledged his struggles:
“Golf does not like me at the moment. I’ve noticed that.”
However, he didn’t lose confidence in his ability or let frustration derail him. Instead, he doubled down on his commitment to improvement:
“I know what I’m capable of, and I know I’m tough. I’ve gone through this before, and I take pride in waking up after a hard day and having the energy to get better.”
Moving Forward: How to Process a Bad Round
Vent, Then Move On – Allow yourself a brief period to acknowledge disappointment, then shift your focus forward.
Find One or Two Key Takeaways – Identify specific areas for improvement rather than dwelling on overall negativity.
Leave the Round at the Course – Avoid bringing frustration home with you. Transition into other roles in your life and return to the game with a fresh mindset.
Commit to Growth – Improvement isn’t about erasing bad rounds; it’s about learning from them.
The best golfers aren’t those who never struggle—they’re the ones who know how to bounce back. By recognizing emotions, adjusting goals, refining strategies, and committing to improvement, you can turn a rough round into a stepping stone for future success.
Additional Ingots on Mental Coaching
In cultivating your frame of mind, foster an unwavering pursuit of excellence, understanding that the will to succeed must remain undiminished.
Embrace a mindset that constantly seeks greatness, recognizing that the drive to thrive persists.
Nurture and perfect the enduring force of passion alongside an insatiable hunger for improvement.
Your mental state should reflect a dedicated commitment to greatness, ensuring that the desire to succeed never falters. Seek to amplify the enduring power of passion and the relentless pursuit of progress, infusing every moment with this unyielding determination.
About the Writer
Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. Visit www.facebook.com/PGTAA to see all the latest mental strategies, travel, and equipment reviews. Currently, he also works with between 10 to 12 PGA TOUR players on the mental side of golf.
He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and serves both as a consultant and mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers” and his previous book, “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf,” which is still on the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s bestseller list. His current book, “The Right Mind for Golf,” is now in its 12th reprint and is available on Amazon and at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Just released in 2024 are his new books, “The Right Mind for Putting,” and “The Right Approach to Golf.” His new book, “The Back Nine- embracing Golf and Life as a Senior,” is out. Both are now available at www.pgtaa.com.