A Malaska Golf Member has been having difficulty with the mental side of golf and reached out to Mike for some advice on how to get mentally tougher. Mike spent a lot of time around Jack Nicklaus, and Jack said golf is a game of emotion and adjustments. It's being able to read yourself physically and mentally at any point in a round to pick the best shot to get the most out of your game. This is profound, and most people don't approach it that way. Many players hit shots they aren't comfortable with and end up hitting bad shots. That's when the mental demons start playing up. Mike doesn't understand why you should get mad at yourself when you make a shot you weren't committed to anyway. The key is to be comfortable with the shot you take. A pet peeve Mike sees giving a lesson is when the player has finished warming up and is on a par 4; he immediately wants to hit his driver. Mike looks at the hole and sees what it does and where the bunkers are. A driver wasn't his best option based on how the player was warming up. The point is that just because you always use a driver on a par 4, it doesn't mean you always should. Make a shot you are more comfortable taking so you can be more committed on your next shot. When you attempt to make a shot you aren't confident with, tension gets in the way, and you start having inner conflicts. This tells you to step back, make adjustments, and find a comfortable shot. Mike discussed terms in the last video about laying up and playing safe. Most people have an ego, and thinking about playing it safe implies you have let yourself down. Think of it in terms of finding a shot you are comfortable with so you can be committed and make a good swing. Find that shot, hit it, and program it. Mike will also analyze how well he hit the shot afterward. He will make some practice swings to remember the feeling of that shot if he hits it well. Likewise, if you make a bad shot, adjust your practice swings. One of the biggest reasons people struggle with the game is that they put themselves in situations where they aren't comfortable hitting a shot. Mike says that if you can't consistently hit that same shot, the odds are against you making it. Golf is about playing the odds; you should question your probability of making certain shots. You should constantly assess yourself while playing. The main thing with the mental side of the game is that players fail if they are not committed or comfortable with a shot. Feeling anxious over a ball is like your guardian angel telling you to step back and find a different club or shot so you can commit. The key is to be committed and more aggressive with your shot when you are over the ball. Golf becomes whoever mishits the ball best wins at every level. The game is about your misses and not your hits.