As a golfer, you know how frustrating the game can be at times. There are times when nothing seems to work. Your swing is inconsistent. You can’t sink a routine putt. And the more things go wrong, the more you overthink why they’re happening, only causing them to become worse. Golfers need to remember the mantra, “Don’t let your highs get too high and your lows get too low.” Unfortunately for one Japanese golfer, she couldn’t overcome her mental game.
A Former Champion Retires
Ai Miyazato was formerly the world’s number one ranked golfer and a nine-time winner on the American LPGA Tour. In 2003, she won a Japanese title as an amateur, while still in high school. The pressure continually built for Miyazato, who didn’t win a tournament after 2012. She tumbled out of the world’s top 100 as her confidence continued to falter.
Unfortunately, Miyazato completely lost her confidence, causing her to retire at the young age of 31. She recently held a news conference announcing her retirement, tearfully saying, “It was getting harder and harder to stay motivated…I went to a mental coach and tried to rediscover my old focus but it just wasn’t there.”
Miyazato didn’t win a major during the course of her career, the lack of which weighed heavily on her over the past few years. Miyazto said, “I achieved more than I ever thought possible. But I don’t think I have the tools to keep competing. Even when I was winning tournaments I began to worry about not being able to win a major. I lost my way and it was really difficult to get back on track.”
Don’t Let a Mental Slump Impact Your Game
At Westlake, we want you to become the best golfer you can be. Our beautiful driving range has 40 stalls and is lit. The range opens at daylight and closes at 10:00 pm. There is currently a special opportunity going on, as well. By purchasing a Range Card for $100, you will receive $120 in range balls. By utilizing the driving range, you can work through your mental slump and build the confidence in your swing that has been lacking. Golf can be frustrating, but equally rewarding. Don’t give up – work through your low points and reap the benefits!