Golf is a game played by over 66 millions golfers worldwide, enjoyed by most, yet only mastered by a few. Golf, in theory is simple, however in practice becomes the very opposite.
In theory it involves striking the ball around a large field, trying to get it into a designated hole in as few shots as possible. Easy some might think! However in practice, as with so many things in life, this is not the case. When you consider all the different aspects that constitute golf, it is little wonder that it is such a difficult game to conquer.
Some of the major elements essential to golf are: the human anatomy, psychology, training and practice, equipment, course management, agronomy, and course architecture, then there is that often talked about topic, entitled:
"Swing Technique"
All of the rings and all of the money and all of the colour and display - they linger only in memory. The spirit, the will to win and excel, these are the things that endure. The quality of any mans life is the full measure of his commitment to excellence and to victory, regardless of what field he might be in.
Vince Lombardi
The greatest pleasure is obtained by improving.
Ben Hogan
You've got to think like a winner to win.
Sam Snead
Achievement, I have heard it said, is largely the product of raising one's levels of aspirations and expectations
Jack Nicklaus
The Golfer's Mind by Dr. Bob Rotella
Golfers everywhere, from professionals like Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington to the humblest amateur on the driving range, are familiar with the sport's 'Rotella Rules', which reinforce the attitude needed to maximize a player's performance.
THE GOLFER'S MIND gives players exactly what they want - a quick reference they can carry with them easily to consult any time they need reinforcement from Rotella's guiding principles. In the perfect format for the busy golfer, THE GOLFER'S MIND is a concise and convenient guide that will appeal to Rotella's millions of followers.
Click the image below for a great value price at Amazon.uk.
#1 Thoughts to play by - according to Dr Bob Rotella author of The Golfer's Mind
-
Play to play great. Don't play to play poorly.
-
Love the challenge of the day, whatever it may be.
-
Get out of results and into process.
-
Know that nothing will bother or upset you on the course, and you will be in a great state of mind for every shot.
-
Playing with the feeling that the outcome doesn't matter is almost always preferable to caring too much.
-
Believe fully in yourself so you can play freely.
-
See where you want the ball to go before every shot.
-
Be decisive, committed and clear.
-
Be your own best friend.
-
Love your wedge and putter.
That Sense of Nature
Golf is not just about playing the game to the best of your ability, although that is the objective of the game, to get those low scores, to reduce our handicap, to become a better player, to select the shot we envision and to commit fully, to execute and feel that sense of accomplishment as the ball lands next to the pin.
It's also about taking in the beauty that surrounds you, there's not many sports that allow this to happen. Nature is all around you, even on the tee box as that beetle or bug runs past your tee as you place the ball upon it. Total silence on the tee box from your playing buddies, except for the sound of the buzzard overhead, the rustle in the bushes behind the tee box, as a blackbird uncovers leaves to find food or the grey squirrel standing right in front of the tee box, unconcerned that a golf ball is about to be hit at great speed towards him/her.
These are natures natural sounds, that, no matter what we do, happen every single day, regardless if we play the game or not. We have to soak all this in and try as we might to block out the noise, we are very much conscious of our natural surroundings and still we commit to the shot we see in our mind, this is what makes the game as beautiful as it is.
Depending in which part of this natural world you live in, the magnificent courses you play, nature will always be there, in all Her glory.
So please be mindful of this and use the rubbish/trash bins available at the course. We all take pride in our appearance and our own game, we should do the same for the course we play, regardless if you play your own course or any other.
Respect for nature and all Her beauty should hold as much, if not more, respect as we have for each other.
#2 Thoughts to play by
-
Golf is a game, and it must be played.
-
Let your mind control the ball. Don't let the ball control your mind. You may not always control the ball, but you can control your attitude.
-
Love your talent and your game more than you love anyone else's.
-
Good can be the enemy of great. Always play to play great.
-
Improve by working on both your physical skills and your mind, because golf is a game of both confidence and competence.
-
There is no such thing as 'muscle memory'.
-
If you truly love the game of golf, you must love its inherent imperfectability.
-
The essence of the game is reacting well to the game's inevitable mistakes and misfortunes.
-
The biggest mistake people make is letting what happens on the golf course control their attitudes.
-
A player is not the number at the bottom of the scorecard.
-
The pleasure of the game comes more from chasing dreams than catching them.
-
You control your destiny.
The inability to forget is infinitely more devastating than the inability to remember.
Mark Twain
Without confidence, a golfer is little more than a hacker.
Bobby Jones
We just do our best on every possession and assume we will win, but sometimes we just run out of time.
John Wooden
I'm not going to get the ball close. I'm going to sink it.
Tom Watson, before chipping in on the 71st hole, 1982 US Open
#3 Thoughts to play by
-
A process goal is an intention to do certain things, often repeatedly, that will lead to the realization of your dreams.
-
Success is a combination of the right process and perseverance.
-
Great golfers learn to be good at waiting, but as they wait, they do the right things.
Develop a Pre-Shot Routine.
When you watch most professional golfers on TV, you have probably noticed that he or she performs a series of actions before hitting the ball. This pre-shot routine is one of the best ways to stay focused, confident and calm on the golf course.
This routine includes a few moments of deep controlled breathing to help calm nerves and focus the mind, visualizing the desired shot path and outcome, and aligning the clubface to the target. Some golfers may also take a few practice swings to establish their rhythm and feel for the shot. When executed consistently, it can help you clear your mind, focus on the task at hand and maintain a consistent swing. Remember to keep your conscious mind focused on something simple to allow your sub-conscious mind to carry out the swing required.
#4 Thoughts to remember by
-
Memories are much stronger and remain in our minds far longer when we attach strong emotions to events.
-
Enjoying your good shots and not responding to your bad ones is infinitely preferable to having no response to your good shots and getting upset at your bad ones.
-
Keep a notebook or a video log of your great shots.
-
When you miss-hit a ball, have compassion for yourself. Forgive yourself. This will help you forget your bad shots.
-
Holding on the thought of a bad shot is a form of punishment. It tends to make you tight and careful when you need to be free and confident. It can compound and error, turning a single shot into a skein of them that can ruin a round or tournament.
Stay in the Present Moment.
Golfers often make the mistake of getting ahead of themselves or dwelling on past mistakes. However, the key to staying focused, confident and calm is to stay present in the moment. If you had a complete nightmare on the previous hole, forget about it, this might be difficult for some to do but carrying your thoughts and frustrations forward to the next hole will affect your next shot and could potentially ruin your round. Focus on the shot at hand. Take it one shot at a time, and let go of any mistakes or bad shots that have already happened.
#5 Thoughts to play by
-
Confidence is knowing that if your play the golf you're capable of, you will win or have a chance to win.
-
Confidence is being more comfortable as your score gets lower and you get in a position to win.
-
You should feel more confident and the end of a round than at the beginning.
-
Confidence is feeling like a winner even if you're not a winner.
-
If you don't grow in confidence with every year you play, your thinking needs adjustment.
-
Thinking confidently about your game should be no different than thinking honestly about your game.
-
A confident player thinks about what he wants to happen on the course. A player who lacks confidence thinks about what he doesn't want to happen.
-
Given 2 players of the same skill, the more confident one will win nearly all the time.
-
Confidence about a shot is no more than thinking only about the ball going to the target.
-
Confidence doesn't come from a full trophy cabinet. Confidence comes from within.
Practice Mindfulness
One of the best ways to learn to stay in the present moment while on the course is by practicing mindfulness - the practice of being fully present in the moment, without judgment or distraction. Practicing mindfulness on the golf course can help you stay focused and calm, even in high-pressure situations. One way to practice mindfulness on the golf course is to take a few deep, controlled breaths before each shot. This can help you stay present and centred, rather than getting lost in your thoughts. Something most golfers find beneficial is to practice a short session of mindfulness meditation for at least 10 minutes as often as possible.
#6 Thoughts to play by
-
Stay in the present. The only shot you think about is the one at hand.
-
During a round, there is no evaluating. There is no judging. There is no anticipating the results. There is only trust and acceptance.
-
Anything that detracts from a narrow focus on the shot at hand diminishes your chance of playing your best golf.
-
It's natural to stay in the present if you have complete peace of mind.
-
When you run out of shots, and only when you've run out of shots, add it up and see how you've done.
Use Positive Self-Talk
Talking to ourselves in a positive manner can have a significant impact on our confidence and performance. Instead of beating yourself up for a bad shot, try using positive self-talk to boost your confidence and stay focused and calm, For instance, instead of saying “I'm always useless at this type of shot,” try saying “I’ve made this shot before, and I can do it again.” Positive self-talk enables positive actions keeping you motivated and focused, even when things aren’t going well.
#7 Thoughts to aim by
-
Good golfers have a laser-like focus on their target.
-
The more your mind is consumed with the target, the more your instincts and subconscious will help you.
-
Some players see the target in their minds eye after they return their gaze to the ball, but this isn't necessary.
-
Pick out the smallest possible target you can easily see.
-
Players envision targets in different ways. Some see a point, some see a path, some see the trajectory. The only requirement is that what you see is relevant to where you want the ball to go.
-
Look at the target with "soft eyes."
-
Swing freely and let the ball go to the target, There's no guiding. There's no steering.
It took a while to learn it, but eventually I got it into my head to never get beyond being sensibly irritated.
Sam Snead
Your performance has a way of living up to your expectations.
Arnold Palmer
You must develop enough confidence in your swing so you can trust it completely.
Byron Nelson
I try to make pressure and tension work for me. I want the adrenalin to be flowing.
Hale Irwin
#8 Thoughts to keep cool by
-
Every shot you make creates a new hole.
-
The player who is angry is not staying in the present. He's focused on the past.
-
Anger is always a choice and is never caused by something or someone else.
-
Displays of anger during around indicates that something has become more important than the shot at hand.
-
Anger introduces tension into the body.
-
Most experienced competitors view displays of anger as signs of immaturity or loss of control.
-
Accept whatever happens to a shot and move on.
