The aptitude to have complete confidence in your ability and maintain all elements of swing etc. under great pressure. In today’s game, one dropped stroke at a high level could mean a serious drop in prize-money. To have mental toughness in those situations could well mean the difference from winning and losing.
The abiltiy to maintain focus no matter what the situation… it’s the ability to hit a truly awful shot and then dismiss it and address the ball with confidence on the very next shot…
Obviously Chis has not attempted the game of golf or he would not have posted his asinine statement… to maintain the high level of concentration( for 4 or more hours )it takes to win a golf tournament is very mentally taxing…to be able to close out the crowd takes a special kind of mental toughness too.
It takes a lot of concentration to play your best game possible, plus you have o be able to realise you won’t hit the perfect shot every time and not get frustrated. If you play in front of crowds the pressure is even greter.
Your handicap is 5 (hypothetically). You’ve just shot 42 on the front nine. You are playing with two other guys who are at least 15-20 handicaps themselves, however, both of them have shot 41 on the front nine. They now take it upon themselves to bestow their infinite golf knowledge on you. Their little tips here and there are only about 10% correct and completely unwarranted. You’ve managed 3 pars and a bogey to start the back nine. Ofcourse, these two guys think that their advice really helps you out. So it does not stop. These two have continued to shoot the rounds of their lives with scores of 76 and 77 through 17 holes. You are sitting at 75 with a par 5 ahead on number 18. A birdie ensure you a round in the 70′s and a guaranteed victory over your newly formed rivals. Your drive is hit well but left into a bunker while your counterparts are in the center of the fairway. You hit your second shot about 100 yards into the fairway and are in good shape for a nice 8 iron to the green. Your good buddies are just off the green in 3. You hit your 8 iron a little thin, it takes one skip on the front of the green and rolls off the back, leaving you with a putt from the fringe of about 30 feet. The guys chip close, tap in their pars and await your decision on whether to putt or chip. You take a look at the break, knowing that you need this to shut them up once and for all, grab your putter, shrug off that one last minute "helpfull tip" from Bobby over there and drain your 30 foot snake for birdie.
THAT is what mental toughness is. So easy in this game to get frustrated and blow up, ruining your entire round. Playing with guys like that, after a bad front nine and pressure on 18 to finish in the 70′s. That takes some mental toughness.
However, I’m sure that an 8 footer for birdie on number 18 at Augusta for the win takes slightly more mental toughness than what I just had to say. But I can only speak of what I know so there you have it.
The ability when the pressure is really on to make the correct decision on the type of shot to play, then hit it when you absolutely have to.
Here is an example of what it is and what isn’t
2006 US Open 18th tee at Winged Foot
Geoff Ogilvy knowing if he can make a par he has a chance of forcing a playoff if others bogey. He nails his drive straight down the centre but into a divot. He hits the next shot about 2 ft from perfect only to see it spin off the front of the green. Next shot he hits a GREAT pitch to 5ft and then drains a left to right quick putt for a MUST make par. 2 unlucky results in a row but still makes par.
THATS MENTAL TOUGHNESS.
Phil Mickelson stands on the 18th with a 1 shot lead and then proceeds to hook the ears off his drive. Then compounds his first error by not getting his 2nd shot clear of the trees. His 3rd doesnt get to the green. His 4th doesn’t hit the dance floor. His playoff chance goes bye byes and then when the pressure of winning is gone he holes his double bogey putt.
That is NOT mental toughness.
I personally think that mental toughness is almost like being a leader. Either you have it or you don’t. I dont think that you can learn mental toughness.
I’d have to stop laughing first.
There is nothing "tough" about golf.
caring
The aptitude to have complete confidence in your ability and maintain all elements of swing etc. under great pressure. In today’s game, one dropped stroke at a high level could mean a serious drop in prize-money. To have mental toughness in those situations could well mean the difference from winning and losing.
The abiltiy to maintain focus no matter what the situation… it’s the ability to hit a truly awful shot and then dismiss it and address the ball with confidence on the very next shot…
nerve.
not loosing it.
Obviously Chis has not attempted the game of golf or he would not have posted his asinine statement… to maintain the high level of concentration( for 4 or more hours )it takes to win a golf tournament is very mentally taxing…to be able to close out the crowd takes a special kind of mental toughness too.
It takes a lot of concentration to play your best game possible, plus you have o be able to realise you won’t hit the perfect shot every time and not get frustrated. If you play in front of crowds the pressure is even greter.
Mental toughness 101-
Your handicap is 5 (hypothetically). You’ve just shot 42 on the front nine. You are playing with two other guys who are at least 15-20 handicaps themselves, however, both of them have shot 41 on the front nine. They now take it upon themselves to bestow their infinite golf knowledge on you. Their little tips here and there are only about 10% correct and completely unwarranted. You’ve managed 3 pars and a bogey to start the back nine. Ofcourse, these two guys think that their advice really helps you out. So it does not stop. These two have continued to shoot the rounds of their lives with scores of 76 and 77 through 17 holes. You are sitting at 75 with a par 5 ahead on number 18. A birdie ensure you a round in the 70′s and a guaranteed victory over your newly formed rivals. Your drive is hit well but left into a bunker while your counterparts are in the center of the fairway. You hit your second shot about 100 yards into the fairway and are in good shape for a nice 8 iron to the green. Your good buddies are just off the green in 3. You hit your 8 iron a little thin, it takes one skip on the front of the green and rolls off the back, leaving you with a putt from the fringe of about 30 feet. The guys chip close, tap in their pars and await your decision on whether to putt or chip. You take a look at the break, knowing that you need this to shut them up once and for all, grab your putter, shrug off that one last minute "helpfull tip" from Bobby over there and drain your 30 foot snake for birdie.
THAT is what mental toughness is. So easy in this game to get frustrated and blow up, ruining your entire round. Playing with guys like that, after a bad front nine and pressure on 18 to finish in the 70′s. That takes some mental toughness.
However, I’m sure that an 8 footer for birdie on number 18 at Augusta for the win takes slightly more mental toughness than what I just had to say. But I can only speak of what I know so there you have it.
Tiger Woods.
The ability when the pressure is really on to make the correct decision on the type of shot to play, then hit it when you absolutely have to.
Here is an example of what it is and what isn’t
2006 US Open 18th tee at Winged Foot
Geoff Ogilvy knowing if he can make a par he has a chance of forcing a playoff if others bogey. He nails his drive straight down the centre but into a divot. He hits the next shot about 2 ft from perfect only to see it spin off the front of the green. Next shot he hits a GREAT pitch to 5ft and then drains a left to right quick putt for a MUST make par. 2 unlucky results in a row but still makes par.
THATS MENTAL TOUGHNESS.
Phil Mickelson stands on the 18th with a 1 shot lead and then proceeds to hook the ears off his drive. Then compounds his first error by not getting his 2nd shot clear of the trees. His 3rd doesnt get to the green. His 4th doesn’t hit the dance floor. His playoff chance goes bye byes and then when the pressure of winning is gone he holes his double bogey putt.
That is NOT mental toughness.
I personally think that mental toughness is almost like being a leader. Either you have it or you don’t. I dont think that you can learn mental toughness.