Trying Not To Miss?

Valerie,

I miss more putts trying not to miss than when I actually commit to the line.
How do I stop playing safe on the greens?

–Jo, Birmingham, UK

Dear Jo,

This is a great question—and a very common problem.

When you’re “trying not to miss,” your brain is still focused on the word miss. It’s the same as standing on the tee, seeing water or out of bounds, and telling yourself not to hit it there… and then doing exactly that.

Your mind doesn’t respond well to negatives—it works off images. So if the image is don’t miss, a miss is what you tend to create.

Instead, you need to replace that with something positive and familiar.

Here’s what to do:

Build a mental “highlight reel” of your best putts. Sit down and think of the top 10 putts you’ve holed—moments where you felt confident, committed, and free.

Before you play, run through that highlight reel in your mind. See the ball dropping. Feel what it was like.

Then, on the course, change your intention.

Don’t try not to miss.
Just roll the ball into the hole.

Because when you simplify it like that—and give your brain a clear, positive picture—you’ll commit more, trust more, and hole more putts.

May the Frog Be With You,

Valerie

Have questions? Email me: hopline@franklygolf.com