Take Golf Seriously—But Not Yourself: The Mental Health Power of Playful Performance

A Comedy Classic

One thing I look for in a great partner (in golf, business, and life) is that they take their intentions seriously but don’t take themselves too seriously. 

And if there’s one thing golf teaches us, it’s how to ride the emotional rollercoaster of performance. One minute you’re a Zen master striping it down the fairway, and the next you’re in the woods, negotiating with a squirrel. 

The secret to enjoying the ride? Take the game seriously—but don’t take yourself too seriously.

It’s not just good advice—it’s good science.

Why It’s Good to Take Golf Seriously 

Golf demands focus, discipline, and strategy. Engaging in purposeful, goal-directed activities like this builds a sense of mastery, which psychologists link to improved mood and mental health.

According to Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000), people thrive when they feel competent, autonomous, and connected to others—three things golf can uniquely provide, especially when played with intention.

You line up your shot. You visualize the outcome. You execute. That process alone can boost dopamine, the neurotransmitter involved in motivation and reward.

Why You Shouldn’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Here’s the twist with golf: the more rigid and self-critical you become, the more your game—and your mental health—can suffer.

A study published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (Birrer & Morgan, 2010) found that excessive perfectionism and self-focus in athletes led to greater anxiety and reduced performance. Golf, already mentally demanding, becomes unbearable when we layer it with ego, judgment, and unrealistic expectations.

In contrast, self-compassion and humor can act as emotional safety nets. A 2021 study in Frontiers in Psychology showed that self-compassion reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and improves psychological resilience—exactly what we need when we duff a chip or four-putt a green.

The Science of Humor and Mental Health

Laughter isn’t just a coping mechanism—it’s a neurochemical powerhouse. Humor activates the brain’s mesolimbic reward system, releasing endorphins and reducing stress. A 2019 review in Advances in Physiology Education noted that humor can lower perceived stress, enhance mood, and even strengthen immune function.

So when your ball ricochets off a tree and lands in a stranger’s golf cart, laugh. You’re not just diffusing tension—you’re actually strengthening your mental health.

Playful Performance: The Sweet Spot

Taking golf seriously means committing to growth and respecting the game.

But not taking yourself seriously allows for flexibility, joy, and resilience. This “playful seriousness” is what researchers call psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present, adapt to challenges, and maintain perspective. It’s been linked to lower depression and anxiety levels (Kashdan & Rottenberg, 2010).

When you play with purpose and playfulness, you create the perfect environment for both performance and peace of mind.

WiseGolf Takeaways:

1. Set goals, not expectations. Focus on progress, not perfection.

2. Laugh often. Especially at yourself. It keeps you loose.

3. Talk to yourself like a friend. No one wants to play 18 with a bully in their head.

4. Practice mindfulness. Stay present with your shot, not the score.

5. Celebrate weird wins. Hit a tree and still land on the green? That’s a story worth toasting.

Take your swing seriously. Take practice seriously. Take your breath seriously. Take your growth seriously.

But stay loose. Find the funny. Enjoy levity and the lighter side.

In love and laughter, Coach Heidi