The Young Golfer Who Learned to Trust His Mind
“What if I hit a bad shot and everyone laughs at me?”
Imagine preparing for hours, working towards a dream, and then finding yourself distracted by what other people might think.
For Mirajul Ali, a young golfer competing on the national circuit, this was a real challenge. He had passion, training and ambition. But when pressure took over, even a familiar game could become difficult.
His journey reminded me of something I see in many young people: sometimes, they don't need someone to tell them to work harder. They need help learning how to handle the thoughts that hold them back.
From a classroom to the golf course
Here is the story of Mirajul (whom I met around 4 years ago at Bagiya. I began guiding these students on life skills, stress management and communication skills. He was among those who first resisted my classes.)
Mirajul joined Bagiya when he was around six years old. When he reached Grade 4, he was screened and selected as a student of The Ultimate Foundation, opening the door to a new opportunity.
Golf was not something he had grown up knowing. In the beginning, he did not understand the sport or how to play it. His coaches taught him the basics, starting with how to hold the club and how to take a shot.
But something clicked.
He began to enjoy the game, and what started as an unfamiliar activity gradually became a passion. Today, Mirajul is competing on the national golf circuit for the second year and hopes to turn professional next year.
It is an exciting journey, but the path has not always been easy.
Alongside golf, he had to manage school, examinations and responsibilities at home. His day would begin at 7 a.m. at school, continue until 2 p.m., and then move into three to four hours of golf practice. He also helped with his family’s shop.
For a young person, that is a lot to carry.
The pressure became intense when he was in Class 12. He had to prepare for examinations while also being selected for a national-level competition. He wanted to pursue golf seriously, but he could not simply ignore his studies.
We worked together (Mirajul and me) to find a schedule that allowed him to manage both responsibilities more effectively. Sometimes, helping a young person does not mean giving them another lesson. It means listening to what is happening in their life and helping them find a way forward.
When the real competition is in your mind
One of the most important parts of Mirajul’s journey had little to do with his swing.
Suddenly, there was a bigger mental block stopping him move ahead.
He shared with me the pressure he felt while playing in front of people. What if he hit a bad shot? What would the spectators think? Would they laugh at him?
His focus would be diverted from the game by these ideas. He was more worried about others’ validation than about focusing on the hole in front of him.
That is something many young people experience, even if they never put it into words.
A student may know the answer but hesitate to speak in class. A young professional may have a good idea but remain silent in a meeting. An athlete may have practised for hours but struggle to perform when people are watching.
In each situation, fear of being judged dominates the ability we have worked so hard to develop.
With Mirajul, we worked on simple ways to bring his attention back to the present moment. Deep breathing & mindfulness techniques were helpful. We also spoke about remembering his better performances and using those experiences to build confidence (Anchoring), rather than allowing one difficult moment to define him.
The idea was not to eliminate nervousness. That is not always realistic. The aim was to help him recognise what was happening in his mind and learn how to respond.
He began using breathing exercises before taking his shots. He shared that the practice helped him feel more settled and focus better on the task in front of him. He also spoke about winning two or three matches after our sessions.
What stayed with me was not simply the result. It was the fact that he had found something he could use independently, whenever pressure returned.
That is what makes these tools valuable. They are not limited to one conversation or one setting. A young person can carry them into a classroom, an examination hall, a workplace or a golf course.
Confidence grows beyond the scoreboard
Our conversations were not only about golf. Over time, Mirajul also became more comfortable communicating with people.
He spoke about how difficult it had once been for him to speak in front of adults and express himself confidently. Gradually, he began to feel more at ease. He became more aware of how he communicated and how he could participate in conversations without being held back by the fear of what others might think.
Listen to him sharing his journey and observe him speak confidently on my podcast show -
These changes matter just as much as sporting achievements.
We often measure a young person’s progress through marks, medals, rankings and trophies. Those achievements deserve to be celebrated, but they do not tell us everything.
Can the young person ask for help when they need it? Can they handle disappointment without losing faith in themselves? Can they communicate what they are feeling? Can they keep going after a setback?
These are important life skills, and they need opportunities to develop.
A child who learns to speak up, manage emotions and recover from mistakes is building abilities that will support them long after a particular competition or examination has ended.
Mirajul’s journey reminded me that confidence is not something we can simply tell a young person to have. It develops through experience, encouragement, practice and the freedom to make mistakes without feeling that their worth is being questioned.
What can we learn from his journey?
When I asked Mirajul what he would say to other young people, his message was simple: know what you want to achieve, give it your best effort and do not give up when the results do not come immediately.
There is a lot of wisdom in that advice.
At the same time, I believe young people also need to know that perseverance does not mean carrying every difficulty alone. It is important to have people they can speak to without fear of being dismissed or judged.
Parents, teachers, coaches and mentors all have a role to play here. We need to make room for conversations that go beyond performance. Instead of asking only, “How did you do?
We can ask, “How are you feeling about it?”
or “What has been bothering you lately?”
And when a young person is struggling, listening without immediately correcting them can be a powerful place to start. I believe-
Sometimes they need guidance. Sometimes they need practical support. And sometimes they may benefit from speaking with a qualified mental health professional.
As adults, we do not need to have every answer. But we can help create an environment in which asking for help feels acceptable.
Beyond the game
Mirajul is working towards his dream of becoming a professional golfer. There will be more competitions, more demanding schedules and, inevitably, more difficult days ahead.
I hope he continues to develop not only as an athlete but also as a young person who trusts himself, understands his emotions and knows when to reach out for support.
My Thursday visits to Bagiya have taught me that meaningful change does not always arrive through one dramatic moment. Sometimes it comes through regular conversations, small adjustments, patient listening and the willingness to show up consistently.
Every child has potential, but potential needs more than opportunity alone. It also needs encouragement, emotional support and the confidence to keep trying when things do not go according to plan.
As we prepare young people for the future, are we giving them only the skills to succeed, or are we also helping them develop the emotional tools to navigate the difficult moments along the way?
I believe both matter.
And sometimes, the most important lesson a young person learns is not how to win the next game, but how to trust themselves when the pressure is on.
Comments