Episode #118: The Tiger Woods Trigger You Should Use Every Round

Golf is a game of precision, patience, and focus.

It requires you to get in the zone, stay fully present and aware of your surroundings - all while managing your emotions for 4–6 hours. 

One of the best ways that you can achieve this state of mind is by using a "trigger." This is a physical or mental cue that helps you focus your attention and energy on the task at hand, blocking out distractions and negative thoughts. 

Today we'll review a few triggers to help master your mental game. 

Why You Need a Golf Trigger

One example of a trigger used by golfers is your glove, and it has been used by many top golfers, including Tiger Woods.

The glove serves as a physical cue to enter into a performance bubble - a mental state where you are fully focused on the task at hand. The act of putting on the glove helps you enter into this state by signaling to your mind that it is time to focus on the shot at hand.

The trigger - in this example the glove - becomes a tangible symbol to focus and block out the noise.

Tiger Woods is perhaps the most famous golfer to use a trigger to help him get in the zone and manage his emotions. He has been seen on numerous occasions adjusting his glove before hitting a shot, a ritual that has become synonymous with his pre-shot routine.

For Tiger, the glove is more than just a piece of equipment; it is a crucial part of his mental preparation. In an interview with Golf Digest, Woods said, "When I put my glove on, that's kind of my trigger. It's my reminder that I'm ready to go, that I'm ready to play."

In the 2000 U.S. Open, Woods famously put on his glove before hitting a shot from the rough on the 18th hole, a shot that would secure his victory. The act of putting on the glove helped him enter into his performance bubble and block out the distractions and pressure of the moment.

Other Golf Triggers 

Other golfers have also used triggers to help them get in the zone and manage their emotions. Phil Mickelson has been seen taking deep breaths before hitting a shot, while Jordan Spieth has a routine of looking at his ball before each shot to help him focus. While others use a trigger like putting the club back in the bag to finish the post-shot routine.

These triggers may seem small, but they can make a big difference in your mental preparation and performance.

Visualization is another example of a mental trigger that you can use to prepare your mind for the task at hand. By visualizing the shot you want to hit, it can help your minds focus on the task at hand and block out distractions and negative thoughts.

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, you need a trigger to get in the zone, stay focused, go through your pre-shot routine and manage emotions.

A trigger can be a physical or mental cue that helps you focus your attention and energy on the task at hand. The glove is one example of a physical trigger used by many top golfers, including Tiger Woods, to enter into a performance bubble and play their best.

This will help you maximize energy, stay focused all 18 holes, and hopefully, play your best. Don't forget, it's the little things that often make the biggest difference.