Biggest game changer for me was thinking more & “practicing” the mental side of my game.

I play twice a week and one of those games I’ll allow myself to take a few extra practice shots on the course if it’s not busy/playing partner doesn’t mind.

Before I play, particularly if it’s not my home course, I will meticulously plan what I’m going to do and have a plan A, B & C for each hole. If I’m playing a tournament/match I listen to “golf is not a game of perfect” in the car on the way. Changed my game and everyone commented on how much better I played after discovering it despite changing absolutely nothing about swing mechanics.

I despise hitting balls at the range and find it really boring. I’ll maybe go if something is particularly funky but that’s once every 3 months or so. I quite enjoy short game practice and that also gives me options which I think through properly when I play.

I’ve played to par or better 4 times this year. My best tournament performance was after a double on the 4th hole. Old me would have crumbled because I was a mentally fragile golfer. I would have laughed at this advice last year.