1 mental trick for playing consistent, high-level golf

Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz know how difficult it is to play quality golf consistently at a high level without letting a bad shot, hole or tournament drag you down. Staying even-keeled often separates good players from great ones, in both the professional and amateur ranks.

On the latest episode of GOLF’s Subpar Podcast, Knost and Stoltz answered a Subpar Hotline question from college coach Ethan Blair and shared one mental trick they both use to stay composed on the course: narrow your focus.

“One thing I’ve always done is feel that every round is broken down into 18 tournaments,” Knost said. “On the hole you’re playing, what’s the best way to play this hole? Once it’s done, it’s over. We’re on to the next one. That’s how you stay absolutely even-keeled out there. No matter how angry we get—and we all do—there’s nothing you can do about the last shot you messed up. Look at Scottie Scheffler; that’s why he’s the best. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Tuesday at Royal Oaks, hitting balls around with his friends, or Sunday at the Masters. When he faces a shot, he asks: What does this shot require? What do I need to do to hit a proper one? Then you go and do it.”

“Our college coach used to say: No matter what is happening out there, it’s never as good as you think it is, and it’s never as bad as you think it is when things are going badly,” Stoltz said. “I think that’s when I played my best golf. Set small goals. Aim small, miss small. Your mind can start to wander, and you get so far ahead of yourself. Keep it simple: If it’s a 200-yard par 3, just hit the green or give yourself a birdie look. Once you do that, go to the next hole and just try to put one in the fairway. Small goals. Break it down. It makes it much easier not to get ahead of yourself.”

The full episode featuring Stoltz and Knost is available on YouTube. Questions, stories and hot takes for the Subpar Podcast can be left on the hotline at 480-269-6166, which is open 24/7.