Looking back at the good rounds I've had, it was confidence that made them happen. As we all know golf is undoubtedly one of the most mentally challenging sports there is. It's an individual game and there's nobody to help you on the fairways if, and when, things start to go wrong. If self-belief goes and negative, irrational thoughts come into a golfing brain your score will quickly skyrocket.
Back when I played no player had -- or remotely contemplated paying for the help of a psychologist, we had to get on with it and deal with the ups and downs of trying to win some cash. Now we know that there are some key psychological thoughts which will help us stay mentally tough on the golf course. Many golfers are already halfway round the course when they start to think rationally.
For example: If your mind is ahead of you, how are you going to focus on the immediate task of the shot you are facing at that moment? You can't control what will happen in 30 minutes time, or what happened 30 seconds ago. All you can do is concentrate on the next shot, chip or putt and make the best possible job of it. If your mind is always totally focused on the present, your scores will improve.
Out of Bounds: Unfortunately, most of us dwell on poor shots. What's the point though? Once the ball has been hit, nothing can be done about it. The only thing you can do later is have a double whiskey and kick the dog.