Welcome

Welcome to issue number 15 of The 3 Minute Golfer. This FREE, weekly publication is here to help every golfer improve their mental game and their personal wellbeing.

In this issue we explore the Itchy mental style but always remember, you may transition between mental styles during a round, depending on the state of play and your own intrinsic personality and motivations.

In this issue:

• Itchy…The Serious Competitor and Risk Taker

• Wellness Tip – The Power of the Toothbrush

• Mental Demons Q+A

• In Person Events - Book The 3 Minute Golfer

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Itchy…The Serious Competitor and Risk Taker

Often overly competitive, the Itchy golfer is always looking for that little bit more, even when the statistical chances of success are very small.

Have you ever played a round of golf with someone who likes to take on every challenge with reckless abandon? You know the type...the ball’s nestled in a patch of rough ground behind a row of trees, and they’re still convinced they can land it softly on the green with a 3-wood and maybe bounce it off a sprinkler head for good measure. Yes, that’s the player with an Itchy mental style…the golfer who just can’t resist scratching their competitive itch by taking unconventional risks.

They have an urge to try the riskiest shots, just to see what will happen. Without the risks, golf can be a little too pedestrian...dare we say, boring?

Loving The Miracle Shot

What fuels Itchy’s burning desire to regularly attempt risky shots? Psychologists might say it comes down to either the “illusion of control” (Langer, 1975) or an element of “prospect theory” (Kahneman & Tversky, 1979). But it’s more likely the adrenaline rush of nailing that one miracle shot. It’s like hitting the jackpot on a casino slot machine…and that memory sticks. Even if you chunk the next fifty shots, you will keep chasing that one shining moment of golfing glory.

We’ve all had that miraculous shot...the one time you used an iron from 200 out, over a lake, around the windmill (okay, maybe that was putt-putt) to land on the green. It’s such an epic story to keep telling your friends…over and over again. Sure, you may fail spectacularly on the next attempt, but that one success proves to Itchy they “can do it again.” And so, the cycle continues because, after all, if you’ve done it once, you can do it again, right?

Itchy players flirt with that upper edge of the arousal curve all the time. Sure, their excitement can lead to a big drive or a confident putt, but it can also tank their round if they let their adrenaline turn into tension, stress and poor shot selection.

NOTE: An adrenaline rush (caused by epinephrine/norepinephrine) is a short-term, high-intensity response to stress or danger, leading to physical changes like increased heart rate and alertness. The serotonin effect (Issue 3), on the other hand, refers to the longer-lasting influence of serotonin on mood, sleep, and general actions. While serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, and a serotonin imbalance can lead to conditions like depression, an adrenaline rush is a physiological response to immediate stress…fight or flight.

The Fine Line Between Confidence and Recklessness

If you’re prone to taking big risks on the golf course, you might want to pay attention to your inner dialogue and listen out for dangerous conversations with yourself.

“I can definitely pull off this 270-yard fade over the water, never mind the strong headwind…”

“I did this once in 1997, so it’s obviously part of my repertoire.”

“What’s the worst that could happen?

When your internal dialogue starts sounding like a daredevil’s manifesto, it’s time to pause, breathe, and ask yourself: “Is this me chasing a rush, or is it the smart golf play?”

Confidence is essential in golf because nobody wants to stand over a shot feeling uncertain. But there’s a big difference between quiet confidence and downright recklessness. 

Pro Tips for the Itchy at Heart

Self-Awareness Check…The next time you feel your heart racing and your mind saying, “Go for it!” ask yourself if this is more about ego or the actual probability of success. Acknowledge your competitive itch but keep it in perspective.

Confidence Building…Build confidence through practice, rather than highlight-reel fantasies. If you’ve never successfully hit a 3-wood over a hazard from 240 out on the range, it’s probably not going to magically happen in the middle of a match.

Channel the “Itch” Into Healthy Aggression…It’s good to be aggressive sometimes but pick and choose your moments. It’s one thing to go for the green on a short par-4 when you’re down one stroke with two holes to go. It’s another to do it on every hole because you once holed out from 100 yards.

Visualise Failure (Briefly, But Don’t Dwell)…This might sound counter-intuitive, but sometimes a quick mental check, like “If I mishit this shot, it’s water city,” can keep you grounded. Then you can shift your visualisation to the positive outcome…you know, the more realistic one involving a wedge and a safe approach.

Celebrate the Smart Shots, Too…Remember to give yourself a pat on the back when you lay up for a safe play and it works out. That’s often the difference between a decent score and a meltdown.

Leverage the Buddy System…If you have a friend in your group who’s level-headed, let them talk you out of your “hero shots.” Or, if you’re all adrenaline junkies together, maybe you can collectively remind each other to keep the heroic feats within reason…unlikely but worth the suggestion.

Final Note…Being an Itchy can be fun, exhilarating, and let’s face it…occasionally legendary. But it also comes with a big risk of frustration, high scores, and lost balls. The goal is to harness that driving competitive spirit without letting it consume your game. When your internal dialogue starts chanting, “Go for the green in one!” simply take a breath, check your lie, reflect on your last bucket at the range, and make the choice that keeps you in the game. Remember…golf is supposed to be a mental chess match, not a high-stakes game of roulette. Scratch your competitive itch wisely, and your scorecard will reap the benefits.

See the References Here.