The U.S. Open: Mentally tough in the rough

Legendary golfer Bobby Jones once said of playing the U.S. Open: 

“No one ever wins an Open. Everybody else just loses it.”

Of golf’s four majors, the U.S. Open has historically been known as the most challenging, with its slick greens and aggressive pin positions often leading to scant few scores under par and occasionally a controversy or two, such as the infamous 2004 tournament at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island when the USGA stopped watering the greens after the first two rounds.

Needless to say, the Open is the major that generally demands of its participants – and certainly its champion – the highest levels of focus and mental toughness, particularly when finding oneself in roughs so perennially dense that for the last few years a “how deep is the U.S. Open rough?” video has made the rounds on social media in the days leading up to the first round.

Which brings us to this year’s tournament teeing off today at iconic Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, where it hasn’t taken long for the buzz to reach fever pitch. Defending champion Wyndham Clark got the ball rolling earlier this week when he said of the playability of the Pinehurst greens: “They already are borderline.”

Needless to say, the conditions and concerns should make for compelling viewing this weekend, with television making it easy for the fans at home to see who is maintaining his calm and composure and who is failing to meet the moment. Maybe instead of heading to the old “19^th Hole” after their rounds, competitors this weekend might be better served by an alphabeats training session. 

Ready to elevate your game? Join us at alphabeats and discover how our neurofeedback and music integration can transform your mental training. Because when you train your mind, you can achieve anything.