You feel confident when you are playing well, but the real challenge is to remain confident while you are not. It is almost impossible for a golfer to stay focused and swing in a good tempo when he is not confident. Here are some guidelines that can help you stay confident during your game a little more consistently.
Confidence can be learned. It just takes a commitment to develop this skill. So how can a golfer build unshakable confidence? There is definitely no simple answer to this question. Every golfer loses confidence now and then; the important thing is to minimise the occurrences and duration of these self-doubt spells.

1. Stay positive and remember good shots
If you walk up to a hole where you have failed before and start thinking about past, you will undoubtedly hit a bad shot again. That is negative thinking, and only stops you from pulling off good shots.
Instead, supplant in your mind the best shots and replay them regardless of the impending shot looming ahead. Remember to see it, feel it, hear it and then do it. Keep in mind all kinds of shots that you worked hard on during practice.

2. Practice to train your body and mind
The key to having success is quality practice with purposeful meaning. You need to have defined goals on what you are trying to achieve. Whacking balls at the range all day will be a good workout, but will not transfer into success on the course. When I hear from
people that they hit thousands of balls each day, but cannot seem to make it happen on the course, I have to question what exactly they practiced.

3. Good pre-shot routine
This rehearsal will help you prepare physically and mentally to pull the trigger on your swing. A good routine will help you put your game on auto-matic, and empty your mind of distractions and any self-doubt that you may be facing under a crucial shot.

4. Play to your limits
If you play to your limits, chances are you will never make dreadful mistakes. When you find your ball in play in few holes, you will begin to get more confident. This will set you in a good form and you will begin to play better.
Even while playing badly, stay focused and remember the good shots that you played in the past. This will help you
to produce good shots. Con-
fidence is very important to play well, so apply the above tips in the days ahead to continuously improve your game.
(The author is a golf instructor and golf director at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. He can be contacted through prodeepak@hotmail.com)