When playing golf are there shots that cause you anxiety? Is there a situation you hate to find yourself because success seems impossible. How about putting that three foot downhill breaker for par, does that cause you angst? The emotional responses to all of these challenges are rooted in one thing: FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real. When shoots that increase the pressure on our ability to perform arise, I had a tendency to think of all the wrong possible outcomes. Yup, I was so focused on missing, I actually forgot to believe that I could make the shot….is that not the definition of crazy for any golfer!
Continue readingmental focus
Competing In Golf Tournaments
Golf tournaments show what kind of golfer your are and could be. The pressure of playing in a competition will accentuate our strengths and more importantly or weaknesses of our game. The area that I notice the most challenge for amateur golfers competing is on the mental side of the game. They are more concerned with what other players are doing, that they let it overshadow their game. For full disclosure, I have fell into this trap in my early years. As I mature as a player and developed my game, I found that what other players were doing was less a factor as what I am doing on the course. I am not sure there is a simple solution to the mental challenge of ignoring what other players are doing, but I seem to have know I turned the corner to success many years ago.
Continue readingPlaying It Safe: A Failing In Golf
How many times have I tried to play the safe shot and failed. Knowing what the proper shot during a difficult situation is not that challenging, yet I seem to have a only a 50/50 chance of hitting a successful shot. Usually, my woes occur when I drop down to a 3 wood from my driver. For some reason, I swing poorly and pull the ball left. Sometimes, I mentally start to fail even before I start my pre-shot routine. Knowing I can physically hit the ball properly, I think my challenge is mental. What do you think?
Continue readingMental Breakdowns Can Be Avoid Or Can They
Slowly dropping my handicap index came with many challenges, both mental and physical. The physical challenges were overcome (for the most part) through training, practice and more practice. I do not consider myself and elite golfer even with a low index, but I think I have some game. Most of my successes can be attributed to physically changing my swing, grip, stance, and tempo. As I stated in previous articles, many of these physical skills are intertwined and one cannot be changed without affecting the others. The mental side of my improvement was not as simple or as easily defined. I often wonder if my mental breakdowns were avoidable or was it part of the journey to a lower handicap index.
Continue readingFocusing On What Is Important While Putting
There are a plethora of skills required to be a solid putter. For those who are confused about the techniques of using the flat stick, then I suggest that you 10+ million suggestions I found on google. There is an answer to virtually every question and not being an expert, I of course have my own view 😉 Anyway, I have on tip that will help every golfer with their putting that is simple, easy, and repeatable. I honed this important skill through many difficult competition rounds and I am happy to say that it worked every time!
Continue reading
The Grateful Golfer 