Welcome

Welcome to issue number 22 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 number 13 of the 14 mental styles that are most easily identified on a golf course.

In this issue:

• Rushy – A Need for Speed

• Wellness Tip – The Value of Regular Check Ups

• Mental Demons Q+A

• In Person Events - Book The 3 Minute Golfer

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Rushy – A Need for Speed

If you’ve ever teed it up with someone who plays golf like their pants are on fire, you know exactly who I’m talking about…that player with the Rushy mental style. This is the golfer who’s already walking off the tee box before their ball has even landed, the one muttering about “somewhere else to be” while their playing partners are lining up to hit. And they putt so quickly that the rest of their group are always on edge about when to stand still. You know, the golfer who’s so fast it’s hard to keep up with their shot count.

Golf is often considered a relaxing, even meditative sport, but the player with a Rushy mental style zips around at a breakneck speed, mostly in a race against themselves. Psychologically, the Rushy mind is on the next shot before the current one is complete. If this sounds like you, then your need for speed can sabotage your performance…your racing mind cannot fully commit to the mechanics of your swing, leading to chunked chip shots and missed two-foot putts that can leave you scratching your head and wondering why.

On the positive side, the Rushy golfer never overthinks their shots, so anxiety and tension rarely play a part in their performance. They are also good at programming in an acceptance of failure well before their shot is played, so any negative outcome doesn’t interfere with their hopes of hitting a better next shot. 

Too Much Brain Chatter

The Rushy mind is normally moving fast…multitasking all the way. Deciding the next shot, planning meetings, solving work issues, and always engaging in a constant inner dialogue that would paralyse a normal golfer.

When their mind races ahead, their body instinctively tries to keep pace, often bypassing the required mechanics of an effective golf swing. This neurological phenomenon occurs because the brain's urgency triggers heightened muscle tension, resulting in hurried movements that lack precision. The rapid firing of thoughts acts like a misfiring engine, sending signals to act before the body is truly ready. Instead of fluidity, the resulting motions are jerky and rushed, undermining both accuracy and control. In essence, the Rushy mental style often falls victim to too much brain chatter.

If you are a Rushy type, and want to play more consistent golf, and score better, then remember that no matter how tight your schedule, your shot clock in golf is largely self-imposed…apart from official pace-of-play rules, of course. 

Pro Tips to Tame the Rush

Dial It Down…consciously dial down your engine a notch. Some meditation skills could be helpful

Patience…if you recognise yourself as a Rushy, remember and accept that a little more patience now can save you a lot of frustration and strokes later

Deep Breathing…take one or two slow, deliberate breaths before each swing

Phrasing…use a cue word or phrase…“tempo,” “smooth,” “easy does it”…to slow you down

Pre-Shot Routine…develop a short, repeatable pre-shot routine, and give it the time it deserves. Try giving your next pre-shot routine a two-second extension. A quick practice swing, a final look at the target, a pause, then swing. That extra second or two creates a mental “buffer zone,” reminding your mind and body that a little calm focus can only help

Post-Shot Pause…before speed-walking to the next shot, take a brief moment to evaluate and learn from what just happened

Partner Support…ask your partners to keep reminding you to slow down. You’ll likely find you have more fun, shoot better scores, and avoid those cringe-worthy missed tap-ins that can keep you up at night.

See the References Here.