My First Mental Scorecard

After reading Mastering Golf’s Mental Game, I was eager to try out the Mental Scorecard to see how consistently my mental game is during a round.  I usually debrief myself after a round by talking to myself in the car running through each hole.  I usually focus on the holes that ate my lunch and costed my penalty strokes.  Using Dr. Lardon’s process, I wanted to see where my mental game falls short of maintaining a constant mental approach the game.  It was a learning experience.

Mental Scorecard Steps

Here is how I mental scored myself: On the scorecard, I used one line to track my score and the next line was used to track shots that completed all three steps of the Pre-Shot Pyramid:

• Calculate Shot: measure shot, take wind and elevation changes, choose correct club.
• Create Shot: Choose the shot and aiming point and envision it.
• Execute: Hit the shot you planned.

I tried to be honest with myself and had to go back once or twice and remove points.  Here is the resulting metal score:

55 shots completed along the Pre-Shot Pyramid/85 total shots taken = 64.7%

Mental Scorecard Insights

I am content with this score for the first time.  As I played, I found some common factors when I scored myself used on how I played.

• Driving Accuracy: I was having trouble with my driver going right.  I ended up switching to my 4 hybrid off the tees.
• Putting Consistently: I three putted only three times and averaged 2.05 putts per hole.  Only one putt was really off target and followed a break that was not there.
• Poor Aim: There were several shots that were well struck and went straight.  Too bad they were not straight at where I wanted them to go.  I misaimed and it cost me.
• Short Shots: Due to the wet conditions of the course, I hit a few shots short.  Knowing how wet turf robs clubbed speed at contact, I should have clubbed up to adapt to the environmental conditions.

Mental Scorecard Results

Using this system, I found elements of my game that are strong, short game, and where I need to concentrate, tee shots and aiming.  This does not mean I should ignore practicing my short game but keep it sharp as it saved me.   Golf practice is not a game of whack-a-mole where you only focus on one thing.  There is balancing act to polish each area.

Give the Mental Scorecard a shot and see how well you play compared to your own expectations.