You've heard it. You've probably said it. On the range, on the first tee, or when facing a critical shot, a fellow golfer, a caddie, or even your own inner voice might declare: "Let's get it!"
On the surface, "Let's get it" sounds like the perfect mantra for a professional athlete. It's concise, punchy, and brimming with intent. It suggests determination, aggression, and a proactive drive to seize the moment. For many, it's a declaration of readiness, a signal to attack the course, make birdies, and climb the leaderboard. It embodies a spirit of confidence and a desire to make things happen.
But for the professional golfer battling the "unseen grip"—the insidious psychological forces that sabotage performance—this seemingly innocent phrase can be a double-edged sword. Its impact depends entirely on the mindset behind the words and how that intention is translated into action.
When genuinely aligned with a confident, process-oriented mindset, "Let's get it" can be incredibly helpful:
Process-Oriented Aggression: If it means, "Let's commit fully to our pre-shot routine on this next hole," or "Let's execute with unwavering tempo and trust," then it channels energy into actionable, controllable steps. It's about bringing optimal focus to the how, not just the what.
Uninhibited Commitment: When a golfer is truly flowing and the phrase fuels confident, free execution, it can enhance immersion and reduce hesitation. It’s a call to play freely from a place of deep belief in their abilities.
Resilience and Bounce-Back: After a challenging hole or a mistake, "Let's get it back" can serve as a powerful mental reset. It signifies a determination to respond positively, immediately re-engaging with the process of making the next great shot or finding the next birdie opportunity. It's about responding to adversity with renewed resolve.
Clarity of Purpose: It can serve as a simple, powerful reminder of their overall competitive intention for the round or event, rallying internal resources towards a clear objective.
However, for a golfer experiencing a slump, especially one characterized by the "unseen grip," "Let's get it" can inadvertently become a trigger for unhelpful patterns. The problem isn't the phrase itself, but the underlying anxieties and interpretations it might subtly mask or amplify:
Outcome Over-Focus: If "Let's get it" translates to "I have to make this birdie" or "I must shoot a certain score," it can lead to excessive outcome fixation. This pulls attention away from the process—the only thing within your control—and directs it towards results that are not guaranteed. The heightened pressure can lead to forced execution and mental paralysis.
"Trying Too Hard" and Forcing the Issue: For a struggling golfer, "Let's get it" can subtly morph into "Let's force it." This often manifests physically as over-swinging, gripping the club too tightly, making aggressive club choices that aren't warranted by the lie or situation, or trying to manipulate shots instead of trusting their ingrained fundamentals. This often leads to physical tension, hurried tempo, and compounded mistakes.
Resistance to Imperfection: When the unstated belief is "I must get it perfectly," any deviation from that ideal—a slightly missed shot, a bad bounce, a lip-out—can be met with intense frustration, self-judgment, and a rapid mental spiral. This mindset leaves little room for acceptance of golf's inherent uncertainties and imperfections.
Fear of Failure in Disguise: Sometimes, "Let's get it" isn't a declaration of courage, but a desperate plea to overcome a deep-seated fear of failure. The golfer feels they need to "get it" to validate their worth, silence critics, or prove themselves. This external validation seeking can create immense internal pressure that almost guarantees underperformance.
Ignoring the Present Moment: If the phrase pushes the golfer to constantly think about the scoreboard, the cut line, or what they need to do on future holes to compensate for past errors, it pulls their mental spotlight out of the present moment. Effective execution in golf happens only in the "now."
For my son, and perhaps for you, "Let's get it" likely tipped into the latter category, driving him to try too hard or fostering an unhealthy outcome focus that amplified the very pressure he was trying to alleviate.
The good news is, you don't have to abandon a powerful phrase like "Let's get it." Instead, you can reframe it to align with the process-oriented, value-driven, and mindful approach detailed throughout this ebook.
Consider these powerful re-interpretations:
Shift from "Getting Results" to "Getting the Process Right":
Instead of: "Let's get the score."
Try: "Let's get committed to this target." (Attention Control, Flow)
Instead of: "Let's get the birdie."
Try: "Let's get focused on executing our pre-shot routine with 100% presence." (Mindfulness, Flow)
Instead of: "Let's get it back (the shots I lost)."
Try: "Let's get present for this next shot, accepting what happened previously." (ACT, Mindfulness)
Connect to Your Values (ACT Principles): Let "Let's get it" be a reminder of why you play and how you want to play.
"Let's get it done with composure." (Value: Composure)
"Let's bring courage to this shot, regardless of the outcome." (Value: Courage)
"Let's embrace the challenge with full commitment and focus." (Value: Challenge, Flow)
Embrace Willingness (ACT Principles): Use it as a declaration of acceptance.
"Let's get it, even if I feel nervous." (I am willing to feel the nerves and still commit).
"Let's get it, accepting that perfection isn't required." (Self-Compassion).
The energy behind "Let's get it" is valuable. It's the competitive fire that separates professionals. But for that fire to illuminate your path to success, rather than burn you out, it must be consciously directed towards controllable actions, positive mental states, and a steadfast commitment to your values, rather than a desperate chase for an outcome.
By reframing this simple phrase, you can transform it from a potential hidden trap into a powerful, intentional trigger for your most resilient, focused, and ultimately, most successful golf.