​Have you ever finished a round of golf feeling like nothing went right? It’s a very common frustration. Simply telling yourself, “I played badly,” won’t help you improve. To get better, you need to understand the kinds of mistakes you’re making. When you can identify your errors, you can focus on the right things during practice and on the course.
I typically categorize the mistakes golfers make into three groups. These represent the most obvious errors and are the ones many players think of first. They are the dreaded mishits—chunks, tops, slices, and hooks. When your swing doesn’t align with your intention, the result is often a poor ball strike. While some execution errors are inevitable, you can reduce them through consistent practice and coaching. Still, no matter how much you train, execution errors will occur. Even the world’s best players don’t hit every shot perfectly.
Strategic errors are more common than many golfers realize. They happen when you make a poor decision before you even swing. This can stem from not properly assessing the conditions, such as a strong headwind, a wet lie, or the speed of the greens. For example, imagine a 140-yard shot over water. If you typically hit your 8-iron 140 yards, you might pull that club without thinking twice, yet fail to notice a powerful headwind blowing in your face. The ball ends up short and in the water. In this case, your swing wasn’t the issue—the mistake occurred before you addressed the ball. Other strategic errors include attempting shots you haven’t practiced enough or misjudging the risk versus reward. Often, choosing a smarter, safer play yields a better score than going for a high-risk shot. These are mistakes that are far easier to limit because they come down to making smarter decisions.
Mental errors involve mindset, focus, and concentration. Unlike a poor swing, these are mistakes entirely within your control. They include rushing your shot, skipping your pre-shot routine, or letting one bad shot influence the rest of your round. Elite players recognize that mental mistakes are often the easiest to fix and can have the greatest impact on scoring. If you can reduce—or even eliminate—mental errors, you can save several strokes per round.
During your round, take a moment after every bad shot to determine the type of mistake that occurred. Was it an execution error, such as a mishit? A strategic error, like choosing the wrong club? Or a mental error, such as rushing your routine? Simply identifying the cause helps you stay present and learn from each shot rather than reacting emotionally. It can also help to keep a simple record of your missteps. Create a straightforward system using “E” for execution errors, “S” for strategic errors, and “M” for mental errors, and note them after each hole. This not only supports better self-awareness but also improves your overall approach to the game.