Jack Lane, Alberta Golf Director, Business Development & Brand, teeing off at The Links at Spanish Bay.

We still have a job to do, but this season Alberta Golf staff are committing to playing more golf. This month we asked how much you were planning to play golf in 2017. Over half of our responders had high hopes too. Out of 227 replies, 147 said “more than last season,” 21 said “less than last season” and 59 said “about the same as last season.”

What does it take to reach a golf more goal?

Extra time and money might come to mind, but the industry has learned that what distinguishes people who play the most golf from others is based on how they feel.

Statistically it was shown that playing more golf is attributed to the degree in which people are having fun, being social, surpassing challenges, feeling proud, becoming inspired and seeing themselves as leaders.

Those that are able to reach the “fully engaged” category, and have high levels of playing time, are not necessarily those that have the biggest pocket books or the most time on their hands: They are the ones that become emotionally engaged with the sport.

The most active golfers see the game as an outlet for self-expression and consider it to be a key component of their lives. Enthusiasm for the game is everything. The study states that eagerness is shown within golfer’s age groups. Younger golfers start off with high levels of joy and passion for the game but often gradually loose keenness over time.

The largest influx of players entering the sport were shown to be 18 to 25 year olds – with the greatest drop in players being 46 to 59 year olds. At 26, many golfers begin to lose their passion to participate as much, with 26 to 35 year olds showing “flattened” levels of enthusiasm.

How can we stay motivated to tee off more?  

Sometimes it can be hard to remember the days of when golf just meant being outside and having fun.  Golf in particular can cause quite the inner storm of emotions. Double, triple and even “I give up” bogey days can be rough. Practicing positivity and mental focus can not only progress your game, but it can also help you actually enjoy your round.

Coaches have long promoted the importance of “the mental game” played within golf. There are lots of ways golfers can improve their experience, but learning to block out interferences can be the difference between an amazing or disappointing day.

Often, the biggest distractions in golf are the ones in our heads. Common thoughts that impact a player are: fear of failure, unrealistic expectations and worrying about outcomes.

Trusting your swing and clearing your mind during shots are two techniques that may sounds simple but are often overlooked. The best players realize that keeping your cool is something that can be learned.

Jason Day, accredited his 2015 Championship to developing a winning mindset. Legendary players from all different kinds of sports say that a positive attitude is critical to achieving success.  The way we worry can affect our shots. Visualization and positivity could be your game changer.

With an optimistic outlook and a good group of teammates, you too can make your commitment to play more golf. Keep us updated on your progress and share your #ABgolf moments with us on social media.