Having certain expectations for our golf game can create negative consequences.

• Expectations add pressure.  Thinking we should shoot a certain score or anything different and will be disappointing will no doubt add pressure. When things don’t go as we expect, it can quickly affect our mood, or change our strategy to get back in line with our expectations.
• Expectations limit learning opportunities. The mind focused on an expected result closes off learning and awareness.  It’s better to expect that each round will be a challenging learning experience rather than fitting into a plan for a result.
• Expectations are NOT Confidence. Confidence is different from expectations. While expectations are solely focused on outcomes that should happen, confidence is knowing we have the game to succeed and accepting the unknown challenges as they come.

By shifting our mindset away from fixating on specific outcomes, it’s more valuable to build confidence in our process and to continually expect the unexpected. 

Dodie Mazzuca is the author of “Seamless Golf,” “Golf Sūtras,” “Daily Golf Tap-Ins,” and is the founder of Golf PROformance LLC. She teaches golf lessons, golf schools, and performance coaching in Santa Cruz, CA and Reno, NV.