What's So Funny About Golf: How Humor Can Help Your Golf Game

Wearing the dreaded 3-putt tutu

“You don’t stop laughing because you miss a putt—you miss a putt because you stop laughing.”

So maybe that’s not a real quote… but it should be!

Golf is a beautiful, maddening paradox. It demands razor-sharp focus and a loose, fluid swing. It requires precision in the middle of nature’s unpredictability. Add pressure, frustration, and maybe a missed 3-footer—and you’ve got the perfect recipe for mental meltdown.

That’s where humor comes in.

The Science: Humor as a Performance Enhancer

1. Humor reduces stress and cortisol. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins (feel-good chemicals) and reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol. High cortisol impairs fine motor skills and decision-making—two things you need in golf.

Wise Science: A 2010 study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found that participants who watched a funny video had significantly lower cortisol levels and better memory recall afterward. Translation? Humor literally helps you think more clearly under pressure.

2. Humor improves focus through relaxation. When you’re too serious, your brain goes into “threat mode.” Humor helps shift your mindset into a state of relaxed concentration—exactly what psychologists call the “ideal performance state.”

Wise Science: Research from the University of Maryland found that participants who engaged in light-hearted or humorous activities before performing tasks had improved cognitive flexibility and creativity.

3. Humor builds resilience. Golf is a game of failure. Even the pros only win a small percentage of tournaments. Humor helps us bounce back, reframe bad shots, and stay in the game mentally.

Wise Science: A 2021 article in Frontiers in Psychology showed that individuals with a good sense of humor were more resilient to emotional setbacks—and bounced back quicker under pressure.

Wise Action Items: Add Laughter to Your Golf Game

1. Use a “Humor Reset” Ritual. After a bad shot, make a funny comment, tell a joke, or picture your club as a pool noodle. This break disrupts negative spirals and gets you back to neutral.

2. Play with fun people. Choose golf partners who keep the mood light. Laughter is contagious—and studies show we perform better when we’re enjoying ourselves.

3. Watch or listen to comedy before your round. Whether it’s a short stand-up clip or a favorite funny podcast, priming your brain with humor can boost mood and prep your brain for performance.

4. Reframe your mistakes. Hit a ball into the water? “That one needed a bath.” Miss a putt? “Looked better in rehearsal.” Humor gives you perspective—and perspective gives you power.

 5. Celebrate the ridiculous. Golf is weird. You chase a tiny ball across acres of land with a stick. Embrace it. The more you laugh with the game, the less it can laugh at you.

WiseGolf Wisdom

Humor doesn’t mean you don’t care—it means you care enough to not let the game steal your joy. Laughing on the course isn’t just about fun—it’s a performance strategy, a coping mechanism, and a mental edge.

So next time you feel the tension rising, crack a smile, drop a one-liner, and remember: the best golfers aren’t just tough—they’re light on their feet and quick with a laugh.

Let your game be serious. But don’t take yourself too seriously.

In love and laughter, Coach Heidi