They say that when you play golf with someone, you learn a lot about them. Perhaps more relevant questions may be, “When I play golf, what do I learn about me? And what do others learn about me?”

And for those regular golfers who want to get the most pleasure from their game and play to the best of their ability, a question they may ask themselves is “Based on what I know about myself as a person, how should I approach the way I play?”

There are a multitude of personality tests that are used for personal assessment or development, as well as a tool for managers in the work place. Once detailed personality analysis is distilled into executive summary, it is interesting that nearly all tests define someone’s personality as a measured mix of key personality types.

This clearly contrasts the approach of the early golf psychologists who published countless books on the mental approach to golf with the presumption that we all should view problems the same way and respond with the same solutions. But in life we respond and react differently to situations, and that is no less true on the golf course.

Playing with others shows us that there is as much variation in types of personalities as there are swing idiosyncrasies.

One player may be very methodical and analyze a shot, slowly prepare and execute his swing, relying on swing checklists he follows loyally. His playing partner may be very different and instinctive, having a brief look at the shot and playing it quickly, working on feeling with a “see it and hit it” approach. 

It is important for players to recognize their styles and play accordingly. For example, if a person moves and thinks quickly off the course, they may be likely to assess a shot promptly and make a quick tempo swing. For them, changing to a slow methodical approach could result in a lapse of concentration, and their body might not work reliably with a slower rhythm.

The real test of a personality comes with stress or adversity. A player may be having the best round of his life, but on one hole hits a bad shot, resulting in a double bogey and potentially spoiling his dream of the ultimate round.

Some personality types may react with anger and lose control on the next tee shot, while others may simply give up any hope of recovering a good round. But others may accept the misfortune and refocus to achieve the best possible end result.

Knowing how we are likely to react and being prepared with the mental remedy is the key to a good round.

Inward focus on personal golf performance is understandably a high priority among golf professionals and keen amateurs, but in Asia where golf is used as a business lobby, it is most important that one’s conduct is viewed favorably by valued guests. Golfers are perceived by others by much more than their swing and handicap.

An angry reaction to a bad shot may be noticed by a playing partner and stimulate the thought, “Is this what is going to happen if anything bad happens to the deal?”

Wrong signals can also be sent to playing partners even where no bad intentions are meant. Take a real example: While playing an enjoyable round with a hot business prospect, a senior executive realized he would have the best score of his life if he made par on the last two holes.

He became tense and focused on his game, and stopped the friendly banter he was having with his guest earlier. This new inward focus and tense disposition was unfortunately interpreted by his guest that he had experienced some change of mind about the relationship.

He realized that his gut reaction on those last two holes to the situation made him forget that his priority was to win in business, rather than for him to win against the golf course.

Better we do not make the same mistake and take the time to better understand ourselves, especially when on the golf course.

John Russell is a leading innovator of corporate golf in Asia. He can be contacted at john@johnrussellgolf.com.