Result expectations: They may be hurting you

Expectations and Golf Performance

Have you ever had the feeling prior to heading to the golf course that you were going to play a great round of golf? If you answered yes, did the feelings become even stronger after having a great warm up session? Having had a great ball striking warm up, did you walk onto the first tee and think about shooting a great score and then went out and shot a score much higher than you expected? Not only that, your shot results didn’t even come close to matching your pre-round feelings of hitting the golf ball? You may ask yourself: Now, what is this all about? How can it be that you can have all of these positive feelings and warm up so well and then it all falls apart when you go play your actual round?

Simply, expectations based on ongoing evaluations and value judgments while we play often get in our way of performing effectively or playing in the present moment. Specifically, I am referring to interfering expectations known as result or outcome expectations. That is, a result or outcome expectation is dependent on you feeling you have to make a score or have to play a certain way in order for the expectancy demand to be met. If the demand is not met, you fail to meet your expectation and you may become frustrated, discouraged and angry because you didn’t achieve your primary outcome goal.

For example, you may place large expectations of winning or beating the other playing partners in your foursome on yourself. The desire to beat your playing buddies may overwhelm your own focus and cause you to feel pressure and hit shots that are beyond your ability level or are simply not well-thought out strategies. You may also hold expectations of shooting a personal best or making a certain number of birdies during your round. Another expectation that you may have is that you want to swing the ball with mechanical perfection and hit the ball a certain shape such as a power fade or draw.

These are just a few of the expectancy culprits that undermine your scoring potential. Expectations of how things should be often interfere with your ability to stay focused in the present moment and to deal competently with the shot at hand. Let me explain how your “result expectations” may hinder your ability to play effectively and score your best!

The Expectation Culprits

When you place preconceived expectations about how well you will play or score on a certain day, you create a pre-set standard of performance. This mental and emotional “standard" interferes with your ability to focus on the shot at hand because you are always comparing your present golfing status with a standard that must be achieved within your mind. Instead of simply playing and accepting the result of a particular shot, (whether the result is good or bad), you may think that you should have done better or that you must make a better swing! In turn, you are always jousting with a voice inside of your head that is constantly measuring your golfing status, your self-worth and your ego strength! In sport psychology, we call this “must” or “should” mentality as “the tyranny of the shoulds!”

Think about it: How many times have you been over a shot and said to yourself: “I must make this shot!” Or, I “should have been even par at this point in the round!” Sound familiar? Golfers often become more concerned with achieving this “expected” standard than with what needs to be done with the present shot. This creates anxiety and disappointment if they feel they are not reaching their “expected” measure of success. With every unfulfilled expectation, frustration and disappointment sets in and robs players of their confidence and composure. This dilemma is due to a number of “expectancies” that are self-created by golfers of all abilities. A few of these expectation “traps” that golfers frequently fall into are:

• Expectations of shooting a certain number or score
• The expectation of playing perfectly
• The expectation of hitting the ball a certain way – ( draw or fade for that round)
• The expectation of winning a tournament or match before the round begins
• The expectation that I have to impress others or hit it as far as others do

I strongly advocate to my touring professionals and top amateurs to put away their result expectations and just go out and play golf! This sounds so simple, but the truly great golfers of today such as Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, and Paula Creamer are always striving to play one shot at a time and not fall victim to their own mental and emotional expectancies. As I discuss with all of my players, just by being aware of your outcome and result expectations and eliminating them, you have the capability to remove the mental handcuffs by not placing limitations on your performance and go out and play with psychological and emotional freedom.

What should I expect while playing?

Dr. Bob Winters

Now that you have an idea of how result and outcome expectations can affect your performance in a negative way, here are a few positive strategies that will help you to play your best!

Adopt a mindset that says “I expect the best, but I am prepared for the worst”

This means that you prepare your mind and body to do the very best you can on each shot and that you know you can handle anything that comes along. The great Walter Hagen once said, “Whatever happens on the golf course is okay, because if I put the ball in trouble, I know I have the skills to get it out of trouble and back into play”. I think this is a great way to think because it provides you, the performer, with an attitude that provides you with self-control, no matter what the results or circumstances that prevail. This philosophy worked quite well for Walter, it can also work for you.

Develop the philosophy that the only thing you expect of yourself while playing is that on every shot, you make the commitment to really get into your target, to swing with trust and finally, to accept the result and move on to the next shot with the same expectation of your commitment.

This expectancy of your commitment truly works for shooting low scores and playing to your potential on the golf course. What this strategy does is provide you with the commitment to swing with trust on each and every shot. It also provides you with the ability to accept what you cannot control. Playing golf with the expectancy that you are giving every shot your complete commitment and accepting the result is the best way to start playing to your true potential.

Expect the Unexpected

This strategy suggests that you not become so upset or dejected when things might go wrong. Learning to remain patient and realizing that the inconsistencies and unexpected ironies of the day’s play are what make this the greatest game ever invented by man. Knowing that unexpected events, bounces and shots will happen (and they will happen) during a round of golf is what makes the game of golf interesting and fun. The mystery of not really knowing what may or may not happen is what keeps bringing you back for more!

Putting It All Together

The key to playing your best golf is to leave your expectations outside the golf course gates and play in the present moment. When you eliminate the burden of scoring and result expectations, the easier it will be for you to play one shot at a time and enjoy your true golfing potential! As I always tell my tour and amateur players, stay patient and put your expectations away. Play your own games and you will be amazed at how well everything will turn out if you adhere to these strategies!

May you always play to your talent and without result expectations!

Dr. Robert K. Winters is a David Leadbetter Golf Academy sport psychologist

For more on golf instruction, visit DavidLeadbetter.com