What to Think About on the Golf Course

The difference between a frustrating round and a fantastic one often comes down to what happens between your ears, not just your hands. If your mind is a traffic jam of swing tips, past mistakes, and future worries, it's nearly impossible to hit a good shot. This guide will give you a clear, simple mental framework to stay focused, make smarter decisions, and let your best golf show up when it matters.

The Two-Box System: Separating Thinking from Playing

The single biggest mistake most amateurs make is trying to think and play at the same time. You can’t build a swing over the ball, that’s like an actor trying to learn their lines on stage during the performance. The work should be done beforehand so you can perform freely.

To solve this, we'll use a simple concept: The "Thinking Box" and the "Play Box."

• The Thinking Box: This is an imaginary space a few steps behind your golf ball. This is your office. It's where you do all your analysis, planning, and decision-making.
• The Play Box: This is the area where you stand to hit the ball. This is your stage. It is a thought-free zone dedicated only to execution and trust.

By a simple mental line between these two areas, you can bring order to the chaos and give every shot the focus it deserves.

Phase 1: Your Job in the "Thinking Box"

Step into your imaginary office behind the ball. This is where you put your caddie hat on and strategize. Don't rush this part. A few extra seconds here can save you strokes and eliminate those big, blow-up numbers.

Step 1: Assess the Situation

Before you even think about a club, take a look around. Gather the facts just like a detective at a crime scene. Ask yourself these simple questions:

• What’s my lie? Is the ball sitting up nicely in the fairway? Is it buried in deep rough? Uphill or downhill lie? This is the most important factor in what you can realistically accomplish with the shot.
• What’s the distance? Use a rangefinder, GPS device, or sprinkler head to get an accurate number to the pin, as well as to the front and back of the green. Know your carry distances.
• What’s the environment doing? Is the wind helping or hurting? Is it coming from the side? Is there a significant change in elevation? A 140-yard shot into a 15-mph wind is not a 140-yard shot.
• Where's the trouble? Identify the big hazards - water, out of bounds, deep bunkers. Your primary goal on most shots is to take the big trouble out of play.

Step 2: Formulate-a-Simple-Plan

Now that you have the data, it's time to make a decision. The goal here is clarity and commitment, not complexity. Forget the hero shot. Choose the smart shot that gives you the best chance of a good result, even on a slight mis-hit

Your plan should be a single, clear sentence in your mind. For example:

• "I'm going to aim at the right side of the green, away from the water on the left, and hit a little draw."
• "The pin is tucked, so I'm playing to the middle of the green. That gives me plenty of room for error."
• "The ball is in the rough. I'm taking one extra club and swinging smoothie to make sure i get solid contact."

Notice that the focus is on a target and a feel, not on swing mechanics. The plan is your mission for the upcoming shot.

Step 3: Pick Your Club and Visualize Success

Based on your plan, select your club. A great rule of thumb is to choose the club you can make a smooth, confident swing with, rather than the one that requires a perfect, all-out effort to reach the target. It’s better to be comfortably long than stretching to get there.

With the club in hand, take one last moment in the Thinking Box. Close your eyes briefly and picture the shot you intend to hit. See the ball taking off on your chosen line, flying through the air, and landing softly near your target. This mental rehearsal connects your plan to a positive feeling, building commitment and confidence.

Once you’ve done this, your thinking is over. It’s time to play.

Phase 2: Executing in the "Play Box"

As you walk from your Thinking Box to address the ball, you undergo a mental transformation. You are no longer an analyst, you are an athlete. The Play Box is not the place for doubt, second-guessing, or technical thoughts like "keep your head down" or "left arm a straight."

Step 1: Get Set, Feel Athletic

Use your setup routine to get comfortable. As you learned in your lessons or practice, your setup should create a stable, athletic base. I always recommend getting the clubface aimed at the target first, then building your stance and grip around it. Stand like a golfer: a slight bend from the hips, bottom pushed back slightly, and arms hanging down naturally.

Take one or two relaxed practice swings. Don't make them rehearsals of positions. Instead, try to feel the tempo and rhythm you want for the shot. Recapture the feeling you visualized.

Step 2: One Swing Thought, Full Commitment

When you step up to the ball, your mind should be quiet, focused on only one thing: **your target.** If you need a single cue, make it simple and movement-oriented, not technical.

Good "Play Box" thoughts:

• "Smooth tempo."
• "Turn through to the finish."
• "Target." (Just looking at the target is often enough)

Bad "Play Box" thoughts:

• "Don't go in the water." (Negative and outcome-focused)
• "Finish your a backswing, shift to your left, keep your wrist straight..." (A paralysis-inducing checklist)

You made your plan in the Thinking Box. Now, all that's left is to trust it. Take a final look at the target, let your eyes come back to the ball, and just let the swing happen.

Phase 3: The Post-Shot Process & What to Think About Between Shots

The ball is in flight. No amount of hoping, leaning, or begging can change its path now. Your mental game continues long after the shot is over.

Accept the Outcome, Learn from It

Watch the ball until it stops. Did it do what you planned? Whether the result was good or bad, accept it without judgment. If it was a great shot, let yourself enjoy it! If it was a poor one, you can take a moment to understand why - did you pick the wrong club for the wind? Did you break character and get too technical over the ball? It should be a quick moment. Never dwell on it!

Resist the urge to get angry or carry frustration to the next shot. Every golfer hits bad shots a round... the best simply manage them and get better at moving them

Walk, Don't Analyze

You have several minutes between each shot. This is not the time to rebuild your swing. It's the time to enjoy the game. Have a conversation with your playing partners. Take a sip of water. Acknowledge the nice day and the fact that you're on a golf course instead of at work.

A golf round is a marathon, not a sprint. The mental reset that happens while walking down the fairway is just as important as your pre-shot routine. It clears the slate so you can approach the next shot - and your next trip to the Thinking Box - with a fresh, focused mind.

Final Thoughts

By organizing your thoughts effectively into distinct “thinking” and “playing” zones, you take the pressure off yourself during the swing. This simple mental habit enables you to prepare thoroughly, trust your athleticism, and ultimately play with more freedom and confidence on the course.

Oftentimes, the main challenge in the "Thinking Box" is just knowing the right play. To help with that, we created Caddie AI to act as your personal course strategist. It’s a tool that takes the guesswork out of tricky situations, helping you with everything from devising a plan on a new hole to recommending a club, especially when you can snap a photo of a tough lie and get an immediate suggestion on how to play it. By getting expert advice right when you need it, you can quiet the uncertainty and walk into your Play Box ready to execute with 100% commitment.