Did you know that it’s impossible to get maximum performance on the golf course without mastering the mental side of golf?

Many beginners may not realize that golf is just as much a mental game as a physical one. That being said, you don’t want to be on information overload while standing on the tee box.

Though there are plenty of golf coaches that teach swing mechanics, there just isn’t much information available regarding golf psychology. To help with this problem, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best golf books that address the mental side of the game.

Pick up a few to start shooting better scores and hitting longer drives!

1. Mastering Golf’s Mental Game: Your Ultimate Guide to Better On-Course Performance and Lower Scores

This masterpiece is written by a sport psychologist named Dr. Michael Lardon, who works with a ton of PGA Tour professionals. Lardon helped Phil Mickelson win the 2012 Open Championship by giving his mental game a much-needed tuneup. You’ll get the same tips that helped Mickelson become one of the best left-handed golfers of all time.

In this book, also available as an audiobook, golfers can learn about Lardon’s Pre-Shot Pyramid and Mental Scorecard. Both of these tools have helped countless amateurs and professionals. This is simply a must-read for any serious golfer.

Rating on Amazon: 4.6 (over 270 reviews)

2. Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game

This book has been around for 20 years and was written by another highly respected golf psychologist named Dr. Joseph Parent. Vijay Singh has credited Dr. Parent with helping him have clear thought on the golf course. Parent is not just another PGA coach but also a Buddhist instructor.

Zen Golf will help golfers deal with frustration, which can be an unwelcome distraction during a round. Many folks are shocked at how much more enjoyment they experience on the course after learning to deal with this one negative emotion. Having more fun and shooting lower scores is every golfer’s dream, and this book will help achieve both.

Rating on Amazon: 4.7 (over 1,500 reviews)

3. Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect

This book from Dr. Bob Rotella gives golfers some fabulous tips to improve their mental game. Learn how obsessing about your swing mechanics can keep you from shooting your best score. Dr. Rotella provides practical info on how to put more joy into your golf game.

PGA Tour fans will especially appreciate the Foreward of this book, written by 2011 Open Championship winner Darren Clarke. Some folks think this is the best golf book on the market for improving their mental habits on the course. We can see why because Dr. Rotella is one of the best sports psychologists in the industry.

Rating on Amazon: 4.7 (over 3,300 reviews)

4. The Mental Game of Golf: Strategies for Improving your Confidence, Focus, Stress Levels, Resilience & More

Here’s a new option for folks that want to improve their mental approach to golf. The Mental Game of Golf was released in January of 2022 and was written by a mental game coach named Jermaine Harris.

Harris teaches golfers how to deal with nagging mental issues such as low confidence, nerves, anger, and fear. The Mental Game of Golf will show you how to shoot low scores even if your swing isn’t quite right. This is a massive advantage on the course!

Rating on Amazon:  4.6 (20 reviews)

5. The Little Black Book on the Mental Side of Golf: 41 Mental Tips From a Golfer Who Regularly Shoots His Age!!!

Are you not much of a reader but still wanting to improve your mental approach to golf? This book is the perfect fit for you! It’s only 67 pages, but it is jam-packed with great information to help you shoot lower scores and gain more confidence.

Dr. Len Fellez authored this short book and has helped players on four tours (PGA, LPGA, Champions, Nationwide). Learn the importance of staying positive in between shots and how writing out goals can improve your game. Golf is a game of confidence, and this quick read will help you pick yourself up mentally after a big miss.

Rating on Amazon:  4.8 (9 reviews)

6. Fearless Golf: Conquering the Mental Game

In Fearless Golf, Dr. Gio Valiante will teach you the same principles that Davis Love III and Justin Leonard used to become world-class PGA players. This book will teach you how to overcome all of your fears on the course. You’ll even get never before seen quotes from PGA legends like Jack Nicklaus and Ernie Els.

Fearless Golf teaches golfers how to reach their full potential by letting go of an obsession with results. This will free up your mind and your swing, resulting in lower scores.

Rating on Amazon: 4.4 (over 350 reviews)

7. Mental Toughness Training for Golf: Start Strong Finish Strong

To play your best golf, you need a certain amount of mental toughness. Dr. Rob Bell will teach you all of the dos and don’t of mental toughness in this book. Learn how to add some pressure to your practice sessions so that you aren’t in shock when it happens during an actual round.

Dr. Bell has worked with PGA Tour pro Scott Stallings and has led a ton of different research studies on “the yips”. This book is only 132 pages, but it’s packed from cover to cover with helpful information. Both amateurs and professionals will benefit from this nice and easy read.

Rating on Amazon: 4.3 (over 110 reviews)

8. Golf: The Ultimate Mind Game

This book will help you block out all distractions and increase your confidence on the golf course. Rick Sessinghaus is an expert in performance psychology and he teaches golfers how to embrace pressure instead of caving under it. By reading this book, golfers will learn how to incorporate pressure into their time on the driving range.

Sessinghaus will help you rediscover why you play golf so that you can get the maximum amount of enjoyment out of it. You’ll also learn how to set goals and properly motivate yourself before your rounds and practice sessions.

Rating on Amazon: 4.5 (over 100 reviews)

9. Fore the Mind – The Mental Program for Golf

Out of all the golf books on our list, this one probably has the catchiest title. Troy Bassham tells a compelling short story about a golfer named Kevin, who mysteriously starts getting golf lessons in his golf bag. It’s kind of neat that Bassham uses this unique story-telling approach!

Bassham’s Mental Management System has helped some of the top PGA Tour pros, including Jerry Kelly and Fred Funk. Fore the Mind is a must-read for golfers who want to improve their mental approach to the game. We can’t say enough good things about this no-fluff page-turner.

Rating on Amazon: 4.6 (over 50 reviews)

10. The Four Foundations of Golf: How to Build a Game That Lasts a Lifetime

This book isn’t exclusively about the mental aspect of golf, but it has several chapters that address various mental techniques that golfers can use to increase their performance. Jon Sherman will teach you how to manage your expectations so that you can shoot lower scores and have more fun. Sherman is a player-coach who knows how important it is to swing without thinking.

If you’re tired of your poor mental approach keeping you from playing your best, this may be the ideal book for you. Sherman will teach you how to remain calm on the course, even during the most pressure-packed situations. Get a much-needed confidence boost by reading this book!

Rating on Amazon: 4.8 (over 460 reviews)

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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Nearly as important as your swing, your mental headspace walking up to the tee is one of the most influential elements of your game. Developing a pre-round routine not only warms up your body but gets your head ready for the challenges and fun that each hole may present. So, after scheduling your shipment for your clubs with Ship Sticks, try practicing these easy, mindfulness techniques.

Top Techniques to Clear your Mind Before a Round of Golf

Stretch Your Body

You don’t want to get out on the course, only to recognize a pang of discomfort in your back, knees, or torso. Getting to know your body before your tee time can help ease your mind. Do light stretches and see where you may be feeling tight. You will then be able to address these issues during your pre-round practice, adjust your swing, and head out feeling more confident than before.

Envision the Course

Golf is 100% a mental game. You should take the course into consideration before even picking up your clubs. Get a course map and see how you may be able to play each hole. This will mentally prepare you for any challenges that may lie ahead.

Embrace the Challenge

No one goes into a round wanting to play poorly. We play to be great. And, in order to be great, we need to accept that challenge is inevitable – that’s what makes it fun! So, take deep breaths, set a positive intention, lace up, and address the ball with confidence.

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Kick-off your next trip with one less thing to worry about! Shipping golf clubs with Ship Sticks can make golf travel a breeze, so schedule a shipment today!

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There are so many reasons to play golf. It gets you outside, it’s excellent exercise, you can travel the world playing it, meet new people, and make new friends – the benefits are endless! But, did you know there are several mental health benefits of playing golf, too? That’s right! As good as golf is for your body and social life, it’s also great for your brain.

Mental Health Benefits of Playing Golf

1. Reduces stress

A three-footer to save par or a long approach over water can be anything but stress-reducing. So, we understand why you may be asking, “just how does golf relieve stress?” It can be mostly attributed to something called green exercise. Green exercise is essentially any physical activity or sport performed in the great outdoors. The combination of physical output while being in contact with nature reduces stress and mental exhaustion. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that golf courses tend to offer incredibly beautiful and peaceful settings, too.

To get even more scientific, being outside stimulates serotonin production in your body. When sunlight enters your eyes, more serotonin is produced which plays a large role in your mood. So, you’ll find yourself in a generally happier mood when on the golf course – minus the double bogeys of course.

2. Lowers anxiety

The reduction of stress and anxiety go hand in hand when it comes to the mental health benefits of playing golf. As green exercise can reduce stress, it can also lower anxiety. But a long-term reduction of anxiety can have shocking lifelong benefits. Like, a longer life!

A combination of the physical benefits of golf and social interaction can lead to a huge decrease in anxiety. Because of this, studies have found that, on average, golfers live five years longer than non-golfers. So the next time your husband or wife gets upset that you’re playing your fourth round of the week, you have yet another justification to add to your list!

3. Encourages social interaction

At its root, golf is certainly an individual sport. You’re not playing for a team (in most cases) and your own score is the only one that matters to you. But as independent as golf can be, it also offers many opportunities for group play and camaraderie and is one of the best social benefits of golf.

If you’re playing by yourself, more often than not you’ll be paired with another group. Or, you may already have a large group of friends you like to play with! Either way is great, and offers a great opportunity to increase your social interaction. Social interaction has been found to naturally produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with the “reward system” of the brain. Whether it’s a high-five after a great shot or a handshake at the end of a round, physical touch can produce dopamine, too.

4. Decreases effects of depression

The mental benefits of golf also extend to depression. Playing golf won’t eliminate depressive symptoms entirely, but it can drastically decrease their effects. Have you heard of a runner’s high? It stems from the production of endorphins but can be applied to golf, too. Sure it’s not as intense of an activity. But, a few hours of steady athletic activity can reduce the effects of depression.

5. Improves life skills

Life skills… it’s probably a phrase you haven’t heard since elementary school! But, no matter your age, life skills are always important. And golf offers a great opportunity to improve them. Take hitting a bad shot for example. Golf teaches you to accept what has happened, forgive yourself, let it go, and move on with the round.

With situations like these, there are so many parallels between golf and life. Refining and enhancing your abilities to accept the bad and focus on the good is a great way to increase your mental health and mental maturity.

So, are you ready to experience the mental health benefits of playing golf yourself? Great! Make your airport experience easier on your mind and body, too, when you ship your golf clubs and luggage ahead with Ship Sticks. Learn more about shipping ahead or get a free quote today!

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