The absence of fans due to COVID-19 at major events is a new and fascinating phenomenon. In this article, I share insights into how it can help and hurt performance and the strategies that support top players to best adapt. In 2020, amidst the struggles the world has faced trying to contain the novel coronavirus, […]

What is it? ‘A Game’ performance mindset is the state of mind you have when you perform at your best. Terms that you may have heard referring to this mindset include ‘bubble’, ‘zone’, ‘ideal performance state’, or even ‘flow’. It’s a set of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that promote you to consistently compete at your […]

Many golfers have an incredible ability to analyse situations, but many use their analytic skills for evil rather than good. I see this phenomenon over and over again with golfers who come to see me. When they have performed below their potential and shot a high score they can tell me in excruciating detail, shot […]

“I know sport psychology” said the coach, the trainer, and everyone in between. We all have knowledge, experience, and thus opinions about people and what helps them to perform. There’s no doubt that a top coach intricately understands the psychology of their sport. There are cases when an experienced coach has a stronger knowledge of the […]

Train your brain like you train your body. This is not a new piece of advice nor is it particularly sexy, but it has merit when it comes to getting your brain ready to perform when it counts. However, training your brain is something to avoid getting blazé about given the increasing body of knowledge […]

What makes you great? This is one of my favourite questions to ask athletes and teams because it directs their focus.  It shifts their focus from fixating on a problem to creating a solution, leading to reduced negativity and increased confidence. The Negativity Trap Often the first response I get when I ask this question […]

Performance routines are prevalent in high performance arenas, and in particular elite sport. You’ll often hear athletes refer to their rituals, superstitions, or lucky charms… “I keep a lucky red rag in my pocket when I bat, which has been a good luck charm for a few years.” – Steve Waugh Simply put, athletes often integrate […]

Short game, short game, and more short game This is not the time to alter your swing.  Juniors typically spend most of their tournament preparation time on the range and neglect their short game.  It’s not surprising that those who score poorly tell me their short game cracked under the pressure, while those who play […]

Over coffee on the terrace, I sat down with Laguna Country Club’s Tour Professional Scott Barr to find out his view on consulting a sport psychologist and how mental skills training has raised his game at various points in his career. When did you start mental skills training and who got you involved? “It was […]

The more time I spend on the golf course the more I am fascinated by the decision-making process and the variety of decisions that golfers have to make.  Players have to assess a hole in terms of distance, lie, and obstacles.  They have to then work out what club to use out of their bag, […]