You’ve felt it. You stand over the ball, think about your grip, your takeaway, your tempo, your target, your miss… and suddenly, what should be a fluid motion turns into mental traffic. That hesitation? That second-guessing? It’s not a lack of skill. It’s overthinking. And it is holding you back.
Overthinking Is the Hidden Enemy of Performance
You’ve put in the reps. You’ve got the fundamentals. But something stalls. You hesitate on the tee box. You back off the putt. You swing safe instead of committed. I see this pattern in golfers at every level. Talent is not the issue. Mechanics are not the issue. The issue is mental hesitation. It’s the loop of internal dialogue that stops you from committing with clarity and confidence.
Your Internal Dialogue Is Driving the Outcome
That inner voice, the one narrating every shot, is more powerful than most players realize. I call those reflexes AutoThoughts™. And most of them aren’t helpful.
“This is where I usually mess up.”
“I should probably play it safe.”
“What if I miss?”
These are Destructive AutoThoughts™. If left unchecked, they become habits. They create a mental culture of hesitation, not execution. But here’s the opportunity. Just like swing mechanics, mindset can be trained.
Reprogram Your Mental Game with Constructive AutoThoughts™
When you shift your inner dialogue, your performance follows.
Here are a few Constructive AutoThoughts™ I teach golfers to anchor during play:
“Trust what I’ve practiced.”
“Make a committed swing.”
“One shot. One moment.”
These aren’t motivational quotes. They are mental conditioning tools. They calm the noise, reduce indecision, and create space for execution.
What Happens When You Lead with a Better Mindset
Golfers who integrate Constructive AutoThoughts see the shift quickly:
- They make decisions faster
- They recover from mistakes with less drama
- They stop playing defensively
- They enjoy the round again
Whether you’re a casual weekend player, a serious competitor, or a coach working with others, this shift starts with awareness.
Try This Next Time You Play
- Catch yourself overthinking before a shot
- Name the thought causing the hesitation
- Replace it with a forward-focused cue
- Speak to yourself with conviction, then swing with intention
This is how you lead yourself on the course. Not by chasing perfect mechanics, but by owning your mindset.
You Are the Leader of Your Round
Through my private and group coaching, I help players retrain their mental reflexes and get out of their own way so they can trust more, enjoy more, and play with presence.
So here’s your question:
What thought are you ready to stop overthinking during your next round?
You can also dive deeper into these powerful strategies in my book Leverage Your Mindset for Golfers, available now on Amazon.
About the Author
Ricky Kalmon is a mindset expert, motivational speaker, and celebrity hypnotist who delivers high-energy and motivational keynote programs. Kalmon works with Fortune 500 companies, sales teams, leaders, executives, and sports teams, teaching them how to reinforce their thoughts and beliefs to enhance their results. Through his programs, thousands have changed their world by changing the way they think. For booking information, contact William Sax, Kalmon Productions, LLC at 770-442-8820 or via email to william@rickykalmon.com Official Site: www.rickykalmon.com
