Why Most Amateurs Sabotage Their Rounds—And How to Stop
Why Most Amateurs Sabotage Their Rounds—And How to Stop
If you're a passionate golfer striving to improve, you've probably asked yourself after a frustrating round: "Why does this keep happening?" You're striping it on the range, maybe even posting a few solid front nines, only to unravel with poor decisions, mental lapses, or technical breakdowns. The good news? You're not alone—and more importantly, you can fix it.
At Bird of Prey Golf, we believe in helping players develop a structured, mentally resilient, and technically sound approach to the game. In this article, we'll break down the most common ways amateur golfers sabotage their rounds and how to correct those habits using proven strategies based on experience, data, and coaching insights.
1. Poor Course Management
One of the biggest differences between amateurs and scratch golfers isn't JUST swing speed or mechanics (although that can be a factor) —it's decision-making. Amateurs often play the hero shot, ignore safe zones, and choose clubs based on their best-ever result instead of what they hit consistently, even though they don’t hit that “perfect” shot as nearly as often as they plan for.
Fix:
Learn to play to your strengths. If your driver is unreliable off the tee, club down so something that stays in play to avoid costly Out-of-bounds penalties!
Know your dispersion patterns and aim accordingly—play away from trouble if there’s hazards on a hole that will add strokes to your score.
Use Google Earth or a course app to plan your strategy, its free and you can even plot out distances!
Pro Tip: Think of every hole backward: where do you want to be hitting your approach from? Work from there for the best opportunity to avoid bogeys.
2. Lack of a Pre-Shot Routine
Without a structured pre-shot routine, amateurs are at the mercy of nerves, distractions, and overthinking and can sabatoge themselves before they’ve even hit their shot. A good routine creates consistency, clarity, and confidence.
Fix:
Build a routine that includes visualization, a rehearsal swing, alignment, and a trigger (like a breath or waggle).
Stick to it for every shot, from driver to chip.
Use the routine even on the practice range as you work on your golf swing!
Pro Tip: A routine should last the same amount of time every shot. Use video to time yours and keep it consistent. Fun fact: Did you know that Tiger Woods takes approximately 12-14 seconds from the time he walks into his shot till the time he strikes the ball? Talk about clockwork!
3. Overthinking Swing Mechanics During the Round
This is a killer. A great golf lesson can help you correct your ball flight and help you become a better ball striker, but the intent isn’t to have you droning over every piece of information given in your last lesson while also trying to deal with all the other factors and influences of playing a round of golf. The course is not the time to be grinding on your backswing. Amateurs often bring the range mindset to the course, leading to tension and confusion.
Fix:
Have a "swing thought filter." Limit yourself to one external cue (e.g., backswing, finish position).
Trust your preparation. The course is for playing, not practicing.
Practice separating technical and performance modes.
Pro Tip: Create a performance mantra like "Target, Feels, Trust" to keep your mind focused.
4. Inconsistent Practice Habits
Hitting buckets of balls with no purpose doesn't translate to the course. Neither does chipping with six balls at a time and no target.
Fix:
Divide your practice time: 50% short game, 25% full swing technique, 25% performance-based drills.
Use random practice to simulate course play (e.g., hit different clubs to different targets every shot).
Keep a journal of your practice sessions and results.
Pro Tip: Recreate pressure. Try making 5 up-and-downs in a row before you leave the chipping green.
5. Letting Emotions Dictate Decisions
Ever make a double and try to "get it back" with a risky shot on the next hole? That spiral kills rounds. Emotional volatility leads to poor decisions and erratic swings.
Fix:
Learn to detach. One shot, one swing, one moment at a time. As Ted Lasso once said: “Be a goldfish”.
Use breathwork or a reset routine (walk to a different area, wipe your hands, re-grip the club).
Accept bad breaks and stay objective when playing. If something happens that was out of your control, allow yourself to move on from it.
Pro Tip: Act like a tour pro. Observe how they react after a bad shot—often, it's calm, measured, and focused on the next play.
6. Neglecting Short Game and Putting
Many amateurs spend hours pounding driver (which I still witness everyday at the course when I teach), but less than 15 minutes on the green. Yet over 60% of shots happen inside 100 yards.
Fix:
Commit to 2 short game sessions per week: chipping, pitching, bunker play, putting.
Track up-and-down percentage and 3-putt avoidance.
Play short game "games" that simulate pressure (e.g., Par 18, Ladder Drill).
Pro Tip: Make putting practice competitive. Try to beat your personal best in drills each week.
Final Thoughts: Play Like a Predator, Not Prey
You don’t need a perfect swing to shoot lower scores. But you do need a better plan, a clearer mind, and smarter practice habits. At Bird of Prey Golf, we help you train with intention so you can compete with confidence.
Want to stop sabotaging your rounds and finally unlock your potential? Book a lesson or evaluation session today and let’s build your game from the ground up.
About Bird of Prey Golf
Founded by one of North Carolina’s top instructors with over 20,000 lessons taught, Bird of Prey Golf specializes in structured, personalized, holistic coaching for players who are serious about improvement. Whether you're a beginner or a competitive amateur, our training systems are designed to help you sharpen your game—and your mindset.
