Confidence is a Choice, Not a Gift
Day 4 from “Mental Rules for Golf” by Dr. Gregg Steinberg
The Golf Book Club: Every day, we share a mental game lesson inspired by great golf books—stories and strategies to help you think better so you can play better.
Sometimes, confidence feels like the most inconsistent club in our bag.
Hit a few good shots and we feel that sweet, all-is-right-in-the-world confidence. Hit a few bad shots, and our confidence does the ol’ Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine, and mutates into critical self-talk.
Dr. Steinberg writes, “Once we begin to lose confidence, we berate ourselves with negative comments. It’s difficult to gain that sweet feeling back.”
But confidence is not as fragile as it seems. According to the good doctor, we can choose confidence—even when we’re playing badly.
“I can get up and down from there.”
To show us how it’s done, he takes us back to the 1982 US Open at Pebble Beach.
Jack Nicklaus birdied five of the first nine holes to catch Tom Watson. On 7, Watson could retake the lead—but missed an easy two-footer.
That would crack anyone’s confidence.
But instead of questioning his ability, Watson made a statement. He told himself, “Even the best players miss an easy one now and then.”
On 10, he had another chance but almost pushed his approach into the ocean. He didn’t question his ability. He told himself, “I can get up and down from there.”
And he did.
On 17, he was tied with Nicklaus. Par 3, 220 yards, hourglass green surrounded by bunkers and the Pacific Ocean.
On the first three days, Watson played this hole beautifully. Today, with the Open on the line, he hooked his tee shot into the gnarly stuff behind the green.
When his caddie cautioned him to just “get it close,” Watson made one of the greatest statements in golf history. He said “Get it close? Hell, I'm going to sink it.”
And he did. He took the lead, birdied 18, and won by two.
Dr. Steinberg writes, “Confidence is a choice. Winners like Tom Watson choose to remain confident regardless of the situation or past disasters.”
The poet Samuel Ullman said, “You are as young as your confidence and as old as your fear.”
It’s easy to say, “Choose confidence.” But how did Watson actually do it? By making statements instead of asking questions.
When we hit a bad shot, we ask, “What did I do wrong? Will that happen again? How can I fix it?”
Neuroscientists tell us that questions “hijack” the brain. Ask negative questions and your brain will chew on that as you walk to the next shot.
Instead, make statements.
“Everyone misses a short putt now and then, I can get up and down from there, I’m going to hole this one.”
So the next time you hit a bad shot, follow Watson’s example: instead of asking negative questions, make positive statements. And if you haven’t seen Watson’s famous chip on 17, look it up. It’ll do your heart good.
That’s all for now. Tomorrow, we’ll build on this lesson and talk about positive frameworks.
Until then, keep imagining what’s possible.
Today’s Photo
Hamilton Island Golf Club Island in Queensland
