One of the fascinating contradictions I continue to explore is that while golf requires a team for success, it remains an individual sport at its core. Ultimately, your golf game is your responsibility—no matter how many tips, coaching sessions, or pieces of advice you receive. When it comes down to it, you are the one swinging the club, and you are the only one who can guide yourself through the highs and lows.
Your self-talk matters. Your ability to bounce back and “coach” yourself through challenges is crucial. At the end of the day, how you approach your golf game—and your career—is entirely up to you.
There will be times when the advice of coaches, mentors, and peers fills your mind with noise. If you've been playing golf long enough, you've likely experienced different coaches offering different methods to “fix” your swing. This barrage of information can become overwhelming. So, what do you do when the noise is too loud, or when your process gets thrown off track? How do you recover and find your way back to progress?
I’ve learned that the first and most important step is to focus on what you do well—those innate skills and abilities that build confidence through consistent practice and repetition. These strengths serve as your foundation.
Next, you need to identify and reassess areas that need improvement. Focus on one or two critical elements that are within your control. Balancing these two aspects—leveraging your strengths while addressing your weaknesses—is key to getting back on track.
When I find myself in a slump or plateau, I reflect on the things I consistently do well, regardless of the circumstances. This includes both my core values and physical skills. Whether it's driving the ball, saving par around the greens, or maintaining a positive mindset, grounding myself in the areas where I’ve built a strong foundation helps me regain confidence.
Then, I evaluate the areas that need improvement. Maybe my iron play has been inconsistent, I'm missing more greens than usual, or my stats don’t reflect my usual performance. Perhaps I’m struggling to convert par when I miss the green, or I just don’t feel aligned with my game. Once I’ve identified these areas, I create simple, actionable steps to address them—always focusing on what I can control. In my experience, thoughtful action is the antidote to stress.
This same approach applies to progressing in a career. When things don’t go as planned, I ask myself two key questions: “What do I do well?” and “What are a few areas where I can improve?” When I focus on the aspects within my control, such as those responses, it minimizes external distractions and provides clarity, guiding me back onto a track toward progress.
Sometimes, getting back on track is about self-assessment. Other times, it requires a shift in perspective. Both are necessary to move forward.
Tiffany Roth
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