Both Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz know how difficult it is to play quality, high-level golf consistently and not let a bad shot, bad hole or bad tournament drag you down. Staying even-keeled and not riding an emotional roller coaster is often what separates good players from great ones, both in the professional and amateur ranks.
So, what’s the key to playing consistent, high-level golf?
On the latest episode of GOLF’s Subpar Podcast, Knost and Stoltz answered a Subpar Hotline question from college coach Ethan Blair and shared one key mental trick they both use to stay even-keeled on the course. It all boils down to narrowing your focus.
“One thing I’ve always done is I feel like every round is broken down into 18 tournaments,” Knost said. “It’s just like, that hole you’re on, what’s the best way to play this hole? Once it’s done, it’s over. We’re onto the next one. That’s the way to stay absolutely even-keeled out there. Because as much as we get angry, and we all have, there’s nothing you can do about that last shot you messed up. When you look at Scottie Scheffler, it’s why he’s the best. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Tuesday at Royal Oaks slapping around his boys or Sunday at the Masters; whatever shot he faces, when he is at that shot, it’s what does this shot require? What do I need to do to hit a proper one? Then you go and do it.”
“Our college coach used to say: No matter what is happening out there, it’s never as good as you think it is, and it’s never as bad as you think it is when it’s going bad,” Stoltz said. “I think that when I played my best golf. It’s small goals. It’s aim small, miss small. Your mind can start to wander, and you get so far ahead of yourself. Just keep it as simple as: If it’s a 200-yard par-3, just hit the green or let’s get a birdie look here. OK, you pull that off, and you go to the next hole and just, let’s put one in the fairway here. Just small goals. Break it down. It makes it a lot easier to not get ahead of yourself.”
To hear more from Stoltz and Knost, check out the full podcast on YouTube. And if you’d like to be part of the Subpar Podcast, now’s your chance. Simply call the new hotline and leave us a message with a question, story or hot take, and we’ll pick the best ones and play them live on the show. The Subpar Hotline is open 24/7 at 480-269-6166.
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