You’ve practiced your swing, invested in top-tier clubs, and taken lessons, but something is still holding back your golf game. Chances are, it’s not your skills on the course—it’s the habits you’re carrying off of it.
Many golfers unknowingly sabotage their performance through everyday routines that have nothing to do with the mechanics of their swing. As a golf instructor in Orlando, John Hughes has helped countless players identify and break these non-golf habits that undermine their progress.
Let’s dig into five of these bad habits and how they may be affecting your game without you even realizing it.
1. Wasting Time on Social Media
Social media might seem like harmless fun, but it’s a notorious time-waster. The same way checking your phone too often at work can derail your productivity, spending too much time scrolling can prevent you from focusing on improvement in your golf game. It’s not just about the lost time; it’s about the mental energy that gets drained as you hop from one distraction to the next.
When your mind is cluttered from endless content consumption, your ability to focus on the task at hand—like lining up a crucial putt or maintaining your swing rhythm—suffers. Instead of scrolling through Instagram before a round, use that time to focus your mind and body on the course ahead.
How to Fix It: Limit your social media use. Set a specific time each day for checking your feeds and turn off notifications during practice or rounds. More focus means better results when you’re out on the course.
2. Interrupting Your Own Game
It might sound odd, but just like how interrupting someone mid-conversation disrupts the flow, constantly overthinking or second-guessing yourself on the golf course has a similar effect.
When you mentally “interrupt” your process with doubt or second thoughts about your shot, it can kill your momentum. Much like the boardroom, confidence and clarity are key to performance in golf.
Overthinking often leads to poor decisions or hesitations in your swing—both of which can derail your game quickly.
How to Fix It: Trust your instincts and preparation. When you’re standing over the ball, avoid going through endless options in your head. Commit to your shot and swing with confidence. Working with a golf instructor in Orlando like John Hughes can help you establish a routine that builds trust in your decision-making.
3. Multi-tasking Instead of Focusing
Golf demands focus. Attempting to juggle multiple things at once is a sure-fire way to dilute your attention.
Think of it this way: multitasking on the golf course is like trying to play chess while riding a bike—your mind is too scattered to give either activity the attention it deserves. On the course, distractions such as phone calls, texts, or even thinking about unrelated tasks pull you away from focusing on your next shot.
This lack of focus can lead to bad decisions, inconsistent swings, and ultimately, a frustrating round.
How to Fix It: Give your full attention to each shot. Block out distractions, whether it’s turning off your phone or quieting your inner dialogue about unrelated issues. If you’re serious about improving your game, devote 100% of your attention to your time on the course. Consistent practice with John Hughes, a top golf instructor in Orlando, can help you refine your focus and develop a mindset that prioritizes the game.
4. Skipping Self-Care (Like Lunch)
Just like skipping lunch can lead to sluggish performance at work, neglecting proper nutrition and self-care before a round of golf can wreck your game.
You wouldn’t expect your car to run well without fuel, so why would you expect your body to perform at its best when you’ve skipped a meal or forgotten to hydrate? Golf requires both mental and physical energy, and skipping out on meals or snacks will drain you faster than you think.
When you’re undernourished or dehydrated, your focus wanes, your muscles tire, and mistakes happen more frequently.
How to Fix It: Fuel your body with the right nutrients. Eat a balanced meal before hitting the course and keep healthy snacks like nuts or fruit handy to maintain energy. Stay hydrated, especially in the heat of Florida. Proper self-care isn’t just good for your health—it’s essential for staying sharp on the green.
5. Complaining and Negativity
Negative attitudes are contagious and, on the course, they can spread fast. Whether it’s a bad shot, a slow round, or just an off day, getting stuck in a negative mindset will only drag your game—and everyone else’s—down. Constant complaining doesn’t solve the problem; it only intensifies frustration and makes it harder to recover mentally for the next shot.
Golf is a game of patience and resilience, and negativity throws both out the window. It’s tough to keep your head in the game when you’re spiraling into frustration.
How to Fix It: Shift your focus from complaints to solutions. Instead of dwelling on a bad shot or slow pace, ask yourself how you can make the next moment better. Staying positive will help you recover faster from mistakes and keep your mindset strong for the remainder of your round.
Conclusion: Fix These Habits with the Help of a Golf Instructor in Orlando
Breaking these non-golf habits is key to unlocking your potential on the course. Whether it’s minimizing distractions, improving your focus, or simply taking better care of yourself, addressing these areas will lead to measurable improvements in your game. John Hughes, an expert golf instructor in Orlando, can help you identify and overcome these challenges, guiding you toward consistent and sustainable progress.
Ready to get serious about your game? Contact John Hughes Golf today to see how we can work together to improve not just your swing, but the habits that may be holding you back. Let’s get to work on helping you play your best golf yet!