Welcome

Welcome to issue number 32 of The 3 Minute Golfer. This FREE, weekly publication is here to help every golfer improve their mental game and their personal wellbeing.

Over the next five newsletters, The 3 Minute Golfer will explore and analyse the observable psychological impact of specific golf scenarios using case studies where possible.

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In this issue:

• The Sam Burns 2025 US Open Scenario

• Wellness Tip – Clearing Your Medicine Cabinet

• Mental Demons Q+A

• In Person Events - Book The 3 Minute Golfer

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The Sam Burns 2025 US Open Scenario

At the 2025 US Open Golf Championship, Sam Burns found himself leading the charge, poised for glory. With the pressure mounting, every shot became a test of nerves and every ruling a seeming lottery. Enter the infamous wet patch of grass…a villain more dastardly than pluggable sand and more menacing than gale force winds.

When Burns requested relief from the marshy menace, not one but two rule officials gave him the golf equivalent of “tough luck, pal.” Suddenly, Burns found himself in a psychological car chase, seatbelt unbuckled, as frustration and disbelief took the wheel. His hopes faded and his nerves appeared to fray, he lost composure, and the probability of a strong finish slipped away.

Denied relief, Burns reacted as any self-respecting golfer would, with a mix of visible annoyance, quiet muttering, and the kind of stare usually reserved for malfunctioning vending machines. The ruling didn’t just mess with his shot…it invaded his thoughts, disrupting his swing mechanics, game plan, and possibly his future sleep schedule. Instead of plotting the perfect shot, he was more likely to be mentally drafting angry letters to the Rules Committee…possibly in all caps.

In golf, external annoyances can turn the calmest player into a tempest of emotion, and for Burns, the unfairness of the ruling seemed to send his focus tumbling. The wet grass may have been minor, but in the grand theatre of golf, it became the star antagonist, leading to a late-game performance fall and a lesson in just how slippery the path to victory can be. Turns out, sometimes the rough isn’t just on the course.

Based on Sam Burns experience, here are FIVE psychological pitfalls that may have combined to compound his mental dilemma and subsequent fading from contention.

Emotional Regulation…Athletes who can maintain composure and avoid allowing external factors to influence their emotions consistently demonstrate superior performance under pressure. In this instance, Burns appeared to have difficulty regulating his emotions following the ruling. The mental resources that might have supported optimal focus during the final holes were, it appears, consumed by frustration and anger. This emotional distraction adversely affected his performance, as he was unable to sustain the precision and calm required for successful execution in championship play.

Conflicting Thoughts…Another key psychological principle that could have contributed to Burns' downfall is cognitive dissonance. This theory suggests that when individuals hold two conflicting beliefs, they experience discomfort, which they are motivated to reduce. In Burns' case, he may have held the belief that he was entitled to relief from the wet grass due to the circumstances of the situation. When this belief was not validated by the officials, it created a form of dissonance between his perception of fairness and the reality of the ruling. To resolve this discomfort, his mind may have shifted into a state of anger, which in turn hindered his ability to focus on the actual game at hand.

Self-Perception…Sports people frequently associate their self-worth with their capacity to perform under high-pressure circumstances, particularly when nearing victory in significant events. For Burns, the ruling may have been perceived as a challenge to his skill and competence, potentially resulting in diminished self-confidence. Continued reflection on the perceived injustice could further erode self-esteem, thereby making subsequent performance more difficult. This phenomenon is especially pronounced among professional athletes, who face ongoing evaluation from themselves and the public. An adverse ruling that affects their perception of fairness or control can lead to a considerable decline in self-efficacy, an important predictor of athletic performance.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy…Once Burns’ emotional state became clouded by frustration, the pressure he put on himself to regain control of the situation likely exacerbated the problem. The more he focused on his anger over the ruling, the more likely it became that his performance would suffer. This is a common psychological pitfall for athletes, especially when they feel the need to "prove" something to themselves or others. The more they try to push past the emotional strain, the more they can become entrapped in a cycle of poor performance and negative thinking…setting up a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

Emotional Resilience…While Burns’ mental state was likely in turmoil after the ruling, it is important to recognise that elite athletes often experience these types of psychological battles. What sets champions apart is their ability to weather these storms with resilience. Unfortunately for Burns, the ruling seemed to act as a tipping point that pushed him mentally and it did not appear that he was able to recover from the emotional shock of the incident. No matter how skilled a player may be, their mental resilience is always put to the test in high-pressure situations, so being able to maintain mental clarity and emotional control in any situation is crucial to success.

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