Every golfer knows the highs and lows of playing golf. Regardless of their ability, excitement and disappointment is attached to every shot. It is that one sport where you are in total control of your results and wearing your emotions on your sleeve can be helpful or a detraction. I certainly have felt elation and despair during my many rounds. I am not sure I can control the situations, but I sure can control my reaction to the extreme during events. As amateurs develop their game, controlling our responses to the peaks and valleys of golf is one aspect of becoming a better golfer.
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Being Grateful For Golf
Considering my blog is title “The Grateful Golfer” one would think that I am a happy golfer every time I hit the links. This mental attitude is definitely at the forefront of my mind on the first tee. Unfortunately, like all golfers, when I am struggling with my game, remaining grateful can be a challenge. I start to have second thoughts about my game, my approach, and my reason for being there: does this sound familiar? Of course it is not earth shattering and I quickly forget my woes at the sound of my driver hitting the ball for the first stroke of my round. At that time, all the amazing reasons why I love playing golf come rushing back into my mind. I am in my happy place and life definitely takes on a new persona as I do become a grateful golfer!
Continue readingThe Right Time To Play Golf For Your Game
I do not know about you, but I am a morning person. I enjoy getting up at oh-dark-30 and experiencing the morning sunlight spread joy effortlessly to the world. As a golfer, when the sun is shining we are ready to play. I understand that there are exceptions, but I choose to stay in my nirvana for as long as possible. My affinity for mornings also transcends into my golf game where I have enjoyed the rounds most when playing in the early morning. The serenity of looping a golf course with very little sensory interruptions (except for nature of course) I actually feel my game and relish that for a few stolen moments I am in my bliss. Unfortunately, this zen type scenario does not always equate into my best scores. Actually, it rarely does and the morning glory is not best for my scores!
Continue readingWorking Towards Serenity On The Golf Course
When I played golf in the past (actually back about 25 years), extreme bouts of frustration would follow me around the golf course. If I made a poor shot or at least one that I felt should have been better, I would allow my frustration to build until it erupted. I am not proud of this fact, but it is something I think most golfers experience during their journey. My frustration was very much an internal thing, but it would eat away at my ability to play to a point were I had to grind out every shot. Golf was beginning to lose its luster and I actually thought about hanging up my sticks. That is until I made a decision to change!
Continue readingPlaying Golf Is All About Making Decisions
Golf is a game that requires all players, regardless of skill level, to make hundreds of decisions over the course of one round. In some cases, the challenge of trying to decide on specifics causes paralysis. The indecision faced by many players is nothing new and even players with a low handicap, like myself, will see themselves in a position of not knowing how to play a shot. It is the nature of golf and something that should be embraced in order to feel successful. Accepting that control on the golf course is sometimes an illusion will help strengthen our mental capacity during any given round.
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The Grateful Golfer 