If you have been following me for a while, you know I am a big advocate of forming positive, productive habits in your golf game. If you stack up enough of them, you will succeed!

Sometimes, it is hard to identify what to do, so let me give you a few ideas on what NOT to do. Hopefully, this will point you in the right direction 😃

Here are 13 (a fitting number) bad habits holding you back from becoming a better golfer:

1) Complaining about external factors for your performance.

It wasn’t the:

• Course
• Conditions
• Playing partners
• Equipment

You have to take more responsibility for your game.

2) The endless swing-tip hamster wheel.

Showing up to the range every week with a new swing tip will not take your game to the next level.

3) Impatience

Whether you are on the course or waiting for your handicap to drop after doing a lot of work, golf can move slowly.

Patience is a superpower in this game.

4) Stubbornness & wanting to be correct.

Learn to embrace new information and don’t assume it’s wrong.

The best players and teachers know they never have this game figured out and are always learning.

5) Getting stuck.

Routines are great. But sometimes, golfers get stuck with bad routines and get comfortable.

Humans do not like change.

If you are not seeing better results, you’ll eventually have to leave your comfort zone and make a change.

6) Taking everyone’s advice, especially that random guy at the range.

Most of it is well-intentioned, but unfortunately, most is junk, too.

Golfers have to forge their own path.

Be very picky and selective about which voices you listen to.

7) No framework

A lot of golfers wing it from shot to shot.

They show up to the range without a plan.

You need a framework on and off the course to take your game to the next level.

It will help you make better decisions and have more confidence.

8) Glorifying the wrong things.

A lot golfers step on the course wanting to hit spectacular shots and make tons of birdies.

Placing more value on making smarter decisions and avoiding big mistakes is the real path to lower scores.

9) Lack of routine or process.

Being on the golf course is difficult.

You can get:

• Distracted
• Nervous
• Angry

The right routine can help alleviate these emotions.

10) No analysis & feedback.

All of the clues to better golf are hiding in plain sight.

You have to pay more attention to the proper feedback in your practice sessions and rounds.

Then analyze and adjust.

11) Comparing yourself to other golfers.

Everyone’s game is unique.

There will always be a better golfer no matter how good you get.

Someone’s swing will always look prettier.

Embrace your game and try to make the best version of it.

12) Score = Enjoyment Level

If the measuring stick of how your day went is just your score, you are going to be a miserable golfer.

Trust me, I know.

13) Trying to control EVERYTHING.

Control freaks often make bad golfers.

There is plenty you can take control of, but just as much that you have to let go of in this game.

Learning the difference between the two can be transformative.