26: How to Bounce Back After a Bad Hole (7 Strategies)

Bad shots (and bad holes) suck... but they're part of golf. Do you let a bad hole or stretch of holes define you? Or, do you fight through it and salvage the round? After a horrific front 9 in my latest tournament, I bounced back with eight shots better on the back nine. How? By using these seven strategies which we'll cover in the podcast: 1. Stay present and don't let your mind wander 2. Commit 100% effort on the next shot (including your pre-shot routine). All it takes is one good swing to get your round headed in the right direction 3. Play safer than normal - don't try "get one back" on the next hole as it often compounds your mistakes  4. Watch your self-talk so you don't make things any harder on yourself (but don't be afraid to laugh it off either) 5. Adopt an optimistic attitude 6. Accept the challenge - it's not how you start, it's how you finish  7. Forget about your ego and worrying about what others will think Finally, make sure you keep breathing too! Don't send your mind into fight or flight mode and panic from not breathing like normal when you're stressed out on the golf course. WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching  Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE).  Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro. Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram   Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing") Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.