Sadar Psychological :: Golf Assessments

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Golf Assesments

Our Approach | Examples of Assessments

“…if someone wants to be a better player, why does he spend 100 percent of his time trying to get physically better? If he doesn’t change mentally, he will never get better.”

Approach
Golfers may come to us with specific mental game needs (e.g. first tee, losing focus as a round progresses, anxiety with one of more aspects of the game, etc.) If they arrive with a specific concern, evaluation and subsequent training/treatment will revolve around that concern.

Golfers may also come to us with a desire to improve their overall golf game by addressing aspects of the mental game. In that case, an evaluation will be conducted, aimed at assessing the golfer’s level of knowledge and utilization of the mental game techniques and traits. Based on the results of the evaluation, a plan will be developed to improve their mental game. Thereby, improving their performance and enjoyment of the game.

Examples of Assessments

These are two examples of several evaluations available to help assess how a golfer may benefit from addressing the mental aspects of golf.

Cattell 16 Personality Factors | Mental Skills Evaluation

This short survey is based on the Cattell 16 Personality Factors, a test that has been applied to golfers by Dr. Deborah Graham of Golf Psych, in a program in Texas that specialized in working with professional golfers. Through their work, they hit upon the eight traits of champion golfers. Each trait runs along a continuum between two poles which are the opposites of each other. The eight traits that were identified as being able to discriminate championship golfers from non-championship golfers are as follows:

1. Reserved/Cool vs. Outgoing/Warm

2.      Concrete vs. Abstract Thinking
3.      Emtionally Sensitive vs. Stable
4.      Submissive vs. Dominant

    5.      Tender Minded vs. Tough Minded
    6.      Apprehensive vs. Confident
    7.      Group Oriented vs. Self Sufficient
    8.      Relaxed vs. Tense

Golfers completing this questionnaire find out where they lie along each of the eight continuums and how they compare with championship golfers as a whole.

Cattell Personality Factors: Self Evaluation

Assess how well you emulate these eight personality traits found to be high in golf champions. A “1” represents great difficulty using the trait during competition. A “10” represents the ability to use the trait in perfect measure. Rate yourself during competitive play.

FOCUS… Ability to regulate your concentration by narrowing your focus over the ball (concentrating on this shot or putt), and relaxing your focus between shots. Score: __________
ABSTRACT THINKING… Ability to use your “left brain” for course management and decision making, then keep your thoughts simple and “right brained” when hitting your shots. Also to keep thoughts carefree between shots. Score: __________
EMOTIONS… Ability to minimize your emotional reaction to shots good or bad. Score: __________
DOMINANCE… Ability to manage the course with a moderately aggressive approach (based on your abilities) resisting temptations to take high-risk shots, or to protect or steer your shots. Score: __________
TOUGH-MINDED… Ability to stay tough-minded and into your round, insensitive to gamesmanship and emotionally detached from the poor play, slow play, or the behaviors of others. Also, the ability to use adversity to become more focused. Score: __________
CONFIDENCE… Ability to maintain personal and performance confidence during your round, resisting any negative self-talk. Score: __________
SELF-SUFFICIENCY… Ability to make good decisions regarding clubs, targets and types of shots, the line and speed for putts. Even more important, the ability to commit to these decisions. Score: __________
OPTIMAL AROUSAL… Ability to maintain an optimum level of arousal—not too relaxed and not too tense—for peak performance. Score: __________

Mental Skills Survey

Answer each question as honestly as possible:

	Never	Seldom	Somtimes	Often	Always
1. Even before I get to the golf course I have mentally prepared for the day.
2. I have several highly effective routines that I use before and during a round.
3. I am able to minimize my emotional reactions to everything, good or bad, during play.
4. My emotional arousal level is always where I want it. I’m never too high or too low.
5. I consistently use a post shot routine to let go of a bad shot or putt.
6. Most of my “self-talk”, both aloud and to myself, during play is positive and supportive.
7. I like myself, even when I play poorly.
8. My body remains relaxed during play.
9. I understand and use the four quadrants of focusing.
10. I am able to keep my mind on what is important to score well.
11. I have a strong mental routine that I use before each shot or putt.
12. I am in touch with how my best golf (zone state) feels.
13. I have specific mental goals for my golf game.
14. I use a pre and post event checklist to make sure I am on my game.
15. I use frequent body tension checks during play.
16. I use mental cues or “triggers” to refocus my attention under pressure.
17. I am not distracted by internal or external events during play.
18. I use the processes of both sides of my brain in competition.
19. I am confident of my abilities to play consistently at my best level.
20. I stop my mind from thinking of the outcome of the shot or round.
	Never	Seldom	Sometimes	Often	Always