How do you bounce back from adversity?

As a serious golfer, how you respond to adversity goes a long way to define how you play the game. Among the many stats amassed on the PGA Tour, there is one that stands out as unique: “Bounce Back.” A player gets points for a bounce back when he makes a birdie or better on the hole following a double bogey or worse. That stat recognizes a positive attitude, resiliency, and mental strength, among other things.

Adversity can rear its ugly head at any time or any place during a round of golf: A bad bounce off a cart path or a tree into an unplayable bush; a buried lie in a sand bunker; a good shot only a foot short, only to roll back into the water. Some bad breaks are of our own making, others are simply bad luck. It’s what we do about it that counts. Some golfers just hang their head and pout; others whine and moan as if anybody cares; other players show a “stiff upper lip” and play on trying to do the best they can. I’m in the latter group. If I have any shot at all I feel I can make par, or at the worst bogey. I’ve learned from a lot of experience, don’t give up on a hole.

Sometimes adversity strikes in far more sinister and catastrophic ways. In 1949, Ben Hogan, driving home from the Phoenix Open, was hit head-on by a Greyhound bus traveling on the wrong side of a fog-shrouded highway. Hogan suffered massive multiple body fractures. AFter extensive rehabilitation, Hogan returned to the PGA Tour to start the 1950 season less than two years later at the L. A. Open. In 1953 he won five tournaments, including three majors. Not only is that a phenomenal comeback from an adversity that was almost fatal, it showed unbelievable perseverance and heart.

Still recovering from arthroscopic surgery following the Masters, Tiger Woods was limping around on a painful left knee during the last two rounds of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in 2008. He finished 72 holes tied for the lead with Rocco Mediate, meaning there would be an 18-hole playoff the next day.  Still tied after 18 holes, Tiger Woods won a sudden death playoff. He had surgery on his left knee two days later. That was his third U.S. Open win.  He’s all grit.

Maintaining your composure in the face of adversity is the mark of resilience. It’s a credit to golfers who can detach themselves from negative emotions and maintain a sense of calm. Mental resilience means the capacity to bounce back from adversity, maintain focus and composure and perform at one’s best despite difficult circumstances. It allows golfers to quickly recover from setbacks, maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on the current shot rather than dwelling on past mistakes. This can prevent a small setback from snowballing into a larger one.  If one desires to play stellar golf, embracing the mindset of resilience and self-determination is truly essential.

First, try not to project too far ahead, thinking you can make up for mistakes on upcoming “easy” holes. A double or triple bogey isn’t a disaster, when you make a few birdies later on. Golf is a funny game; you never know what might happen. Play one shot at a time, while forgetting about the problems that engulfed you on the last couple of holes. That’s hard to do because it requires discipline. A “blow-up” score is just one hole; don’t let it sink you. It’s wise to view adversity and setbacks as learning opportunities rather than insurmountable barriers. 

Finally, be glad about your day on the golf course, knowing some folks are laid up at home with injuries.