Austin, congrats on following your goals! Half the battle is putting in the hard work on the range and the course to get your game to the level that you are comfortable with. The other 1/2 is mental and that affects both pros and amateurs alike. I too had a similar experience getting to the tee and forgetting how to play golf. I try to win the mental game by playing 1 shot at a time. It is so easy to get caught up in a bad thought or play a bad hole and let it destroy a good game. Sounds like you have the game locked down, just play more relaxed and accept that everyone will have a bad hole once in a while. Keep following your dreams and keep it in the fairway!

Playing relaxed is for sure something I can do better at. That and moving on when something goes wrong and not letting it affect things moving forward.

Your photo is upside down and its funny because it's kind of how I feel the world seems when im actually playing competitively even with friends. Left is right, up is down, what is what.

Hello Austin. When I was younger and had some game,I did compete in few MGA (Massachusetts Golf Association) qualifiers.Mostly the MGA Amateur and Public Links Championship qualifiers. The number of times I missed the cut by a couple of shots,I can't exactly recall, but it was more than once or twice. I remember a couple of those qualifiers where I was within the cut line with a couple holes to play, but just couldn't close the deal.

Funny thing about aging, you gain perspective.When I thought about those near misses at the time, afterwards I'd analyze the round shot by shot; focusing more of what went wrong than of how well I played most of the round.

When I look back now, years later, the recurring thought is this: I simply couldn't get out of my own way. Instead of focusing on the shot at hand and playing one shot at a time, I'd start thinking about what the cut line would be, what my playing partners were doing etc. I was overthinking instead of simply focusing on what I could control.I had a hard time "blocking the noise and learning to quiet the mind" in those days.

If you'll allow an old guy to impart a little wisdom, it's this; learn to quiet you mind, focus on things that are within your control and don't over think it.

Hope this helps and best of luck.

This is great. Especially focusing on what I can control. I have a hard time in life worrying about things I can't control. I have my work cut out for me!

I bought several of Bob Rotellas audio books I can listen to in the car. Look into audiobooks. There are a lot more sports psychologists that would have audio books you could listen to on your way to the course or while warming up on the range.

I am a big audiobook guy. I will check into that for sure!

Hello Austin. Good luck on all of your future endeavors on the course. I have learned over the years that if I have a set preshot routine that I do everytime, it doesn't allow my mind to think about anything else before I hit my shot. It has allowed me to block out my surroundings because all im thinking about is the routine. I used to be a pitcher in baseball and I had a routine before every pitch and it allowed me to block out the crowd and focus on just the next pitch.

Developing a good, consistent pre-shot routine is definitely something I need to put some effort into. I was also a pitcher when I played, but I would always get in a quick rhythm on the mound (deliver, catch, step-on, sign, deliver) which I guess in some respects is a routine. I just definitely think something more intentional would be beneficial for my golf game.

It all comes down being confident in your swing and the process. Pretty sure you've heard Tour players say that for years on television. Tournament golf is VERY hard, and it only comes easy for a select few. Everyone is nervous and struggles to be patient. Keep grinding to develop that rock solid pre-shot routine. Stick to it. Good Luck!

This is great. Just continuing to work on things until I hit that point of trust/confidence.

A pre-shot routine is critical to blocking external factors and narrowing your focus. I am working on mine and starting to see progress.

A pre-shot routine in very important to narrow down your focus to your target but, also in blocking out distractions that can affect your shot.

Take every comment you read on golf discussion boards with a grain of salt...including this one!!

Seriously, best of luck with an ambitious goal. While you ask about the mental part, obviously the physical aspect is also very important. Hopefully the two can mesh when you need them the most.

I heard a golfer years ago say that golf was 90% mental and the other 10% is all in your head. Sorta sums it up. As my teaching pro keeps telling me over and over; "just hit the ball'. Hakuna matata.

Get the book Zen Golf by Dr. Joesph Parent, read it and then read it again.

Practice your short game so that you take some of the pressure off of your tee to green game. Having the ability to get up and down from anywhere is a great skill to have, and an unbelievably BIG confidence booster.

For me the longer I'm over the ball the more the mental game gets in the way. Everyone really needs a routine for ball striking, so the mental side of the game doesn't get in the way. I do best when I get myself in position over the ball without too much time between being over the ball and hitting it.

What I'd say from my own experience, and honestly this goes beyond golf into pretty much every area of life where you have to step up and perform, to me it comes down to preparation. If you truly put in the work without cheating yourself in the process, that alone builds real confidence.

For me personally, stress and nerves almost always came from things I didn't do, corners I cut, preparation I skipped. When you know deep down you've done everything you could, there's not much left to fear.

Keep grinding toward that qualifier!

I have though about wearing shooters ear plugs to just make everything go away. They are small and not that noticeable.

I have found when I get so frustrated, down a few beers, give up, and stop caring I start stringing together a bunch of pars and start playing better....
So my advice is don't care about your score. Focus on the shot at the moment and nothing else.
Plus the cart girl is still going to flirt with you after you top your driver 75 yards... so YOLO!

This.

My best rounds are sadly when im just having fun.