Why Your Last Shot Is Ruining Your Next One
“One shot at a time” sounds good.
But after a snap hook into the trees, your brain is not calm.
It replays the mistake.
It predicts the next one.
It carries frustration forward.
Neuroscientists call this affective perseverance.
We call it emotional residue. The same way mechanics require objective feedback, your mental game requires structure.
And it quietly ruins rounds.
Frantic Freddie vs Steady Eddie
Most golfers respond emotionally.
Frantic Freddie hits a bad shot and spirals. His inner dialogue becomes negative. He rushes the next swing and compounds the mistake.
Steady Eddie responds differently.
He treats the mistake like information, not identity. He resets before the next shot.
The difference is not talent.
It is regulation.
The 10-Second Reset
Mental control requires structure.
Step 1: RRRRIP
Slowly rip open the Velcro on your glove. Inhale deeply and gather tension.
Step 2: CLICK
Press it back down. Exhale fully.
Step 3: One Word
Say “Next.”
This physical trigger interrupts the stress response and lowers your heart rate.
You stop snowballing.
You regain presence.
The 88-Year-Old Test
When a disaster hole happens, zoom out.
Ask yourself:
Will I care about this shot when I am 88?
Perspective shrinks emotion.
Emotion shrinks mistakes.
The goal is not perfection.
It is composure. Composure is tested even more in tough conditions like cold weather rounds, where discomfort amplifies frustration.
If you want guided accountability instead of self-correction, consider scheduling an intake coaching session.