Hovland's Insight: The Mental Game's Growing Importance in Golf

Viktor Hovland on the Mental Game: 'It's Almost All Mental' Professional golfer Viktor Hovland recently shared his thoughts on the crucial balance between mental and physical skills in golf. In a candid interview, Hovland emphasized that while a solid physical foundation is essential, the mental aspect becomes increasingly important as a player's game improves. He stated, "At the end of the day, if your technique isn't matching up and the ball is going everywhere, it doesn't matter how you think. You've got to correct some issues." This highlights the importance of addressing physical flaws, even for highly skilled players. Hovland further explained that the mental side becomes more critical when aiming for top scores: "Maybe you're just letting a couple bad swings upset you, or you're maybe not that confident yet." He believes that maintaining a strong mental game is key to overcoming setbacks and achieving consistent performance. The interview also touched upon the relative difficulty of the mental and physical aspects of golf. Hovland acknowledged that the mental side is often more challenging, but the difficulty varies from player to player. He concluded by describing the process as a "journey," suggesting that the balance between mental and physical skills is an ongoing challenge that professional golfers must constantly navigate.