Master the Mental Game of Golf

Golf as a Game of Passion

2009-08-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

WOW! What a Soldheim Cup of golfing passion. Just a week following Y.E. Yang's thrilling triumph at the Players Championship, we get treated to yet another display of skilled professionals letting out all their emotional investments in a hotly fought golf spectacle.

I thought golf was supposed to be played in a calm and distraction free environment? ( The above picture is of the first fairway on a n ideally quiet and serene afternoon at the Richmond Golf Club in the SF Bay Area.)

Perhaps not! This summer's tournaments have begged many questions; Can you play golf well in an adrenaline packed, emotionally pitched manner? How do you stay balanced when all your feeling sensations are running rampant through your mind and body? How can you perform with a focused serenity if the surrounding landscape is constantly erupting in spontaneous noise swings from the roars of excitement to the groans of disappointment? And if so, then how do they do it?!

These tournaments have offered a wonderfully fun and vivid stage for learning. Playing golf will provide continual challenges to our skills at managing our passions and our capabilities when there is a lot at stake. Whether in a board room or a family crisis, how we handle our temperament without losing our ideals and intent is critical not only to our success, but to our long-term satisfaction as well.

Golf is often recognized as a difficult mental sport, not just because it requires a multitude of decisions to be made before every swing, but primarily because you are constantly challenged to negotiate through a mine field (read; "mind field")of potentially ruinous distractions.

The value of of a strong, reliable mental game cannot be under appreciated. Practicing, establishing and developing mental toughness is crucial, but at the same time, learning how to be natural, authentic and free in your demeanor and attitude is equally essential to your success.

These last weeks of golf have provided brilliant examples of dedicated professionals that allowed themselves to pursue their dreams while putting their passions out on the line for all the world to see, judge and remember. What can you take from their performance that will enhance your ability to play at your best? While playing a competitive round, what are your most common challenges to maintaining focus and playing with enthusiasm?

This weekend might be the next, best chance you have. Will you be willing to play with passion and pride and still remember to breathe while you stand over that four footer for par?

KARN, FM 102.9 Fairways and Greens

2009-05-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

This last Saturday morning, May 9th, I had the chance to participate in the new Fairways and Greens talk radio program broadcast on FM 102.9 KARN, out of Little Rock, Arkansas. My kudos to Bob Steel and his colleagues for producing a topic packed show dedicated to all the listeners on their way to the golf course on a Saturday morning. (Forty-seven percent of their listeners are golfers!)

My only regret is that there wasn’t enough time. I can now understand why people get trained to deliver sound bites for rapidly sequenced interview questions. Eight minutes isn’t very much time to respond to five questions about the mental game. Libraries are full of books with specific responses to these questions. Coaches take years to counsel their clients in the practical integration of these ideas.

I loved the experience, but thank goodness for the blogosphere! Now, let me step outside of the quick, concise response format and respond with some distinctions.

“Can everyone master their mental game?”

Of course! If you have a mind, then you can learn to use it. But, (and this is a big “but”) mastery of anything is a lifelong pursuit taking dedicated work, great patience and lots of practice. For example, rather than just reacting to all the thoughts in your head, become the author of the thoughts and learn to write your own dialogue.

“How does golf’s mental game relate to the business world?”

Simple. To be consistently successful in golf, you must master the elements of basic business skills; commitment, vision and intention, clarity of focus, certainty of resolve, completing with the past, holding a healthy relationship with results and enjoying the dynamic between prudent risk and creativity.

“How does the mental game help get you back on track after starting a downward trend?”

First of all, understand that “trends” aren’t real. Your game doesn’t go downward or upward. These are concepts. They exist only in our brain’s understanding of what it sees. So, there is no “downward trend” to reverse. The golf ball you are about to hit has no power to change a “trend.” It can only go where you hit it, now!

An important distinction of the mental game is living in the present moment, maintaining a fresh outlook about life in “real” time. In this moment, anything is possible and the past has no bearing on the future, except as a perspective for learning.

"What is a mental game tip you could use out on the course, during a round of golf?

Breathe! This doesn't sound very mental, but the simple act of breathing can be a very mindful act. The practice of deep breathing not only relaxes the physical body, but it allows the heart and brain to be working in sync with each other, creating an optimal opportunity for inspired reflection, ie; "how do I want to play my next shot?"

“What do mean when you say that the heart, the gut and the head each have their own unique voices?”

Remember the last time you stood over a putt with money on the line on a lightning fast green with a particularly severe slope; knees weak, stomach uneasy, hands sweating, heart racing, breathing shallow and the noises in your head confused and relentless?

Our bodies have three distinctly powerful nerve centers; gut (solar plexus) heart and brain. Our bodies have primal reactions to signs of pain or danger, instinctively and immediately in our guts. Our hearts have the unique ability to respond to pleasure, gratitude and joy. The brain is specifically designed to interpret, manage and store all neural signals from our experience. Simply put, the gut reacts, the heart inspires, the head stores and processes information.

Five questions, five responses and under eight minutes to read, I wonder why it was so challenging on the air? I now have a whole new appreciation for the talking-heads and their talk show soundbites. I guess I would be well advised to quickly schedule a session with a savvy media trainer! I am on my way to the phone book!

Mainstreaming Mastery in the N.Y.Times

2009-04-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

Take the mystery out of mastery. Read the New York Times! No longer a fringe, psycho-babble, self-help panacea for all ills, real or imagined, training your brain has gone mainstream. What better public advocate than the sensible, pragmatic and recently retired golfing superstar, Annika Sorenstam? Got a minute? Find the April 13th edition of the online N.Y.Times and check out the article by Bill Pennington on a day spent with Sorenstam.

The key to Annika's teaching method is her dedication to practice, discipline and more practice. But, along with this storied regimen, she adds a cautionary respect for the mind's power to either interfere or enhance the ability of the body to perform, especially under stress. Annika spent many years training under the influence of Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson, both leading golf teachers who emphasize the heart, body, mind connection. Sorenstam clearly trusts the innate talents of most players to find ways to excel that are simple and natural.

In her session with Bill Pennington, she guides his learning with the exhortations, "Keep it simple!" "Believe in yourself! "Make it easy!" Watch the video; Pennington, playing the struggling stooge, thinks and thinks and thinks. Annika, the master, simply asks for trust.

Easier said, than done? Not, really. Based on her coaching, Annika must be a proponent of trusting one's "natural knowing." Trusting and becoming increasingly more familiar with that inner capability which is innate and constant. To improve our games, most of us usually rely on the analytical process of our thinking and understanding. Trusting our intuitive powers requires a greater willingness to risk playing outside of the logic of our mind. This is one of golf's intrinsic challenges, balancing the often opposing strengths of our minds, logic and intuition.

This "inner strength" can't be taught, only discovered and realized by each player, as if on a personal quest. Annika's method seems to reinforce the opportunities for each player to bring forth talent that can be relied on, if and only when, it is trusted. "Enjoy the game" and "enjoy the chance to play" are ways to encourage a sense of freedom. The resulting calm and "aliveness" that comes instinctively will enable you to find a greater inner strength. Combine this strength with a determined practice routine and increased understanding of the game, but always rely on what you trust within. To paraphrase Annika, "train your brain to free your mind."

Golf Diet for Champions

2009-03-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

Competition is the protein of the improvement diet, providing essential elements for building and sustaining strength. As with any diet, balance is advised. Practice and coaching, study and play are essential for gaining golf competence as well. If our goal is to develop the confidence and consistency that becomes second nature under pressure, then we must routinely submit ourselves to the particular pressures of competition.

Find a competition that intensifies the pressures on your mind. Any sort of pressure might work. For example, I might feel a heightened sense of tension, just because I have put a lot of money on the game. The risk of losing money, creates the feelings of anxiety. I might be more distracted if I am playing with significantly better players, my self image or status in others' eyes now being at risk. Perhaps my goal for the year is to win the Club Championship, then entering this tournament will most certainly invite more pressure. In a tournament situation, all my dedication to improvement will be exposed as either successful or a failure, as I subject my skills to the test.

Competitions are particularly useful because they exist outside of our control. Most of our practice routines comply to our needs and comforts. Routines, by nature, become safe and manageable, so tournaments will require that we extend ourselves outside of our comfort zone. In doing so, we must rely on the skills that have matured and integrated themselves, emotionally and physically. Under pressure, executing these skills deepens our trust and confidence. Performance failures always allow for heightened learning opportunities for the future. Both results will accelerate the development of competency.

In another lifetime, I had a career as an opera singer. This pursuit demanded many long hours of practice in studios, far from public hearing. Skills were developed, mistakes were made, in private, with little risk of embarrassment. But, all the practice would inevitably be tested by performing before the public. This almost always exposed any anxiety or lack of confidence lurking under the surface. The freedom to sing an aria without tension is similar to the freedom to swing a golf club, without tension. Both challenge your freedom to focus on the moment, with clarity, confidence and passion.

Most clubs, men's or women's groups, regional tournament organizers offer innumerable competitions throughout the year, offer scheduled events that will give you a chance to experience the unique challenges of competitive play. Practice hard. Enjoy getting better. True improvement will become more enduring when you submit yourself to the challenges of a competition where you will either win or lose something worth the effort.

Playing the Game vs. Practicing the Game?

2009-02-05T09:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my life! As a newly obsessed golfing beginner (definition of a beginner - someone who did not start playing when they were a kid) inconsistency seems to be the defining character of my game. On a typical day, I will smack a 3 wood straight down the fairway 250 yards. Then, on the next dogleg, I'll pull hook the ball as if I had never had a swing lesson. Aiheee!

This is just a phase, right? The learning curve will flatten my golf game to a blissful predictability, right?

The Learning Curve of Golf - learning and improving is an essential part of the game. But, you can always get better. Getting better is addictive and can lead to a passionate obsessiveness, because the better we get, the better we want to get. There is never an end to "getting better." Because we are never really satisfied for very long, "getting better," is a driving motivator for serious players.

The learning curve roller coaster is one of the intrinsic challenges of golf. It is most obvious in my game when I get better because I eagerly try new shots that are not in my skill set and I consequently play worse, IE; make more mistakes, score higher. This has the immediate effect of driving me to yet another practice round.

Herein lies another one of the traps of the learning curve. It is very difficult to play a round of golf and not try to improve on every shot. This is not a bad intent, but it really changes the game. It quickly turns a game into a practice round as opposed to a "lowest score" game. The drive to get better can easily run contrary to the hopes to score low. And, if you 're not careful, you play most of the round in the "in-between zone," wondering why you are so frustrated and unfulfilled.

Thank goodness for the 19th Hole! Managing my reactions to the encouragements and disappointments of playing in the learning zone requires an ample supply of patience and forgiveness. And, sometimes that cold beer just tastes sooo good.

Accenture High Performance Delivered by a Tiger

2009-01-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

I must admit, I know really nothing about Accenture. I don't know what they do, where they do business, who they serve, nada. But, what I do know is that they recognize character when they see it and have captured it beautifully with their Tiger Woods campaign.

They have connected Tiger and Accenture in a powerful and impressive fashion. You can't open a Wall Street Journal or a New York Times without seeing one of their full page ads. Walk through any international airport and you will see several large illuminated plasma screens with striking pictures of Tiger in some golfing situational predicament. They have the Tiger's tail and are wisely making the most of the ride.

Obviously, Tiger's image is worth plenty, (they must be paying dearly) but, what is most impressive about Accenture's strategy is that they have brilliantly used Tiger's famous mental character to define the company's business essence.

(PICTURE) Tiger, hands on hips, deep in thought, standing in waist high grass considering his next move
(CAPTION) "It's not a setback. It's a test."
What do we know? Accenture is all about the challenge and the "can do" spirit to handle any difficulty.

(PICTURE) Tiger standing with one leg on a rock, the other in the pond, tree to his right and trees over the ball
(CAPTION) "Attitude 50%; Aptitude 50%"
What do we know? Nothing is impossible. Accenture has the confidence to risk and the strengths to succeed.

(PICTURE) Tiger holding U.S. Open trophy for all to see, big smile, red shirt
(CAPTION) "Outperforms Competitors: 49%; Outperforms Self: 51%
What do we know? Accenture knows how to compete, loves the "game" and will never rest on its laurels.

Whether or not you ever do business with the Accenture people, you can at least make use of their clear and insightful descriptions of what it takes to succeed in the world. Personally, I wish Tiger all the good fortune he has earned. He may be one of the clearest examples of the character of extraordinary success. Yet, beyond the silvery celebrity of his image, all of us can grasp the simple elements of character that can brighten our own lives and perhaps, our golf games.

Happy New Year! Every Stroke!

2009-01-13T12:09:00.000-08:00

OK. Now that you have enough time to digest the Holiday's indulgences, it is a perfect time to talk "turkey" about one of the great and greatly abused traditions of the New Year period, New Year's Resolutions. Here's my new resolution; write shorter blog posts! We'll see how long that lasts!

Honestly, how long does your usual new year's resolution last? A couple of weeks, maybe a couple of months? After a few decades of obligatory pretending, you've probably just given up the practice. Right? Well, maybe it is time to reconsider the merits of long standing tradition. There must be some practical value?! For the sake of this blog site, let's start with something simple, like your golf game!

Without delving into the psycho-phenomenology of the golf swing, it is sufficient to examine the simple act of letting go of the past and starting all over again as a basic element in playing golf well. Most great golfers have learned the skill of letting go of their last shots. A basic "golf for success" rule: Let go of your last shot!

The reasons for this are easy to understand. Carrying "energy baggage" (mental, physical or emotional) into the future will only obstruct the chances of something truly new and possibly exceptional, to occur. Have you ever tried to start an intimate relationship with someone new before you had actually completed on the mess of the last one? It takes a lot of extra work. Or perhaps your last missed putt nags your mood all the way onto the next green as you tried to calmly focus on making the next new putt. It is tough to accomplish.

New Year's Resolutions were invented to offer a socially and chronologically convenient opportunity for us to make peace with the past. It is a ritualized chance to say goodbye, declare completion and let go! When we clear the past, it is much easier for us to be genuinely enthusiastic about the next new chance.

Imagine starting every new round with a clear, clean conviction of intent? How extraordinary would it be if you could play the game and make little declarations of freedom, optimism and intent throughout your entire round? Every shot becomes a new chance. Next time you are out on the course, try it. Only now, we'll refer to this process as a "New Shot Resolution".

Ode to Red Snowballs in Moscow

2008-12-20T22:41:00.000-08:00

I know! Writing about "nasty" golf weather in California seems a bit silly-serious, since the greatest weather challenge we have is the fact that we can play all year long and often, in gorgeous climate. After all, unlike Napoleon, we hardly have to endure the extremes of the Russian Winter. Understandably, we get spoiled and habitually less eager to play in the “nasty stuff.”

Here is a tip for California golfers: learn to love playing in lousy weather conditions. If and when you do, you'll enjoy your rounds more, focus better in competitions and you'll shave several strokes off your score against competitors that spend most of their time grumbling and whining. While you quietly prepare for the next shot, they'll be rushing every aspect of their game in order to just get through it.

I once had a student, a young and talented golfer, who quite unabashedly announced that he "hated" to play in the wind! And, he meant what he said. Every round he played in the wind was accompanied by complaints and grumbling. Needless to say, his scoring average was very inconsistent and his competitive career didn't last very long. And, his home course was usually very windy!

I suspect that this student wasn’t really exceptional in his dislike of being uncomfortable in uncontrollable conditions. Most of us would rather not play in lousy conditions. If it seems that the more irritating the conditions, the worse we play, then learn to minimize the distractions and you’ll improve your game.

There are several easy ways for this to be accomplished. The basic value of a pre-shot routine is to eliminate the distractions of your own thinking, other players or environmental conditions, like weather. Purposeful practice sessions during foul weather can build confidence, making your next on-course choices easier to trust, allowing you to more easily focus on your targets.

It seems rational to most players that since you can't change the weather, the best you can do is to complain about it or at the very least, put up with it. Although complaining will certainly amplify your excuse about playing poorly, it won't make you a better player. "Putting up with it” will only make you a prisoner of the weather by demanding too much mental and emotional energy. So, what are your options?

When there is a condition on the golf course that you are powerless to change, you have two basic choices; fight it or accept it! The harder you fight it (complain), the worse it gets and the higher your scores. Learn to accept the conditions just the way they are and you'll make clearer decisions and more competent shots, improving your score.

Here is the learning practicum: Next time it is raining, go to the driving range and put in a good hour of practice. Focus on your shots, not the rain. When it is blowing bitter cold, purchase foul weather gloves, use hand warmers, change to cold-weather balls and practice your wind shots. Then, go out and enjoy a round in the rain or cold. I have friends who play softball in the snowparks of Moscow, Russia in the dead of winter. They just paint the balls red. They have a blast! So, could you!

On Golf and Giving Thanks

2008-11-25T15:37:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again! For the next week, we will be treated to relentless philosophizing, sometimes, sermonizing, constant gormandizing and certain commercializing, all celebrating the true essence of our national holiday for the Fall, Thanksgiving. So, why not here? But, before you read any further, get your Scotch or Pinot. Make sure you have enough mixed nuts or pretzels. Get comfy and let's get started!

For all the golf that will be played this week, some with old friends, some obligingly with visiting family members, I invite you to give thanks. Whether on a quick, solitary round in dim light off the back-nine or a raucous mid-day round with all the kids and cousins in tow, give thanks. In rain, wind, brilliant sun or freezing cold, give thanks. If you drill the tee shot straight down the fairway or hook it into the trees, give thanks. No matter whether playing out of the sand, short grass or wet hazards, give thanks. If you shoot a 90+ or break par, give thanks.

And, especially, give thanks to all the grounds' crew, shop pros and cart and bag attendants that have taken their holiday to work the course.

Now, here's the trick...learn to incorporate "thankfulness" into your everyday, non-holiday, regular rounds of golf. The genuine experience of gratitude, thankfulness, appreciation, etc., produces an emotional mood of enthusiasm and calm. At the same time, our minds retain an ability to perceive new situations with more objectivity, imagination and clarity. In a typical round of golf, there are hours of moments that could provoke reactions, both mentally and emotionally. Adopt an attitude that will allow you to make the most of every situation.

This is where the Thanksgiving metaphor is most helpful. Be thankful for everything. Yes, I mean everything! An attitude of "thankfulness" will sometimes require us to really soften our reactions and stretch our patience. But, every effort we make to find something to appreciate, even in the seemingly worst situations, the better off we will be as human beings and as golfers. Things for which to be thankful on your next golf outing;

less stress/more enthusiasm

less tightness/more calm

less stubbornness/more imagination

less fatigue/more vitality.

A Thanksgiving Reminder: Attitude is a club in your bag, whether you are aware of it or not. Be careful, thoughtful and purposeful about the "attitude" you carry with you. This is one club you are always using, for better or for worse.

One inescapable blessing for me is that I have a choice, in how I think, how I feel and how I live. The great thing about golf is that we always have another chance, as long as we play. And, for that chance, I am grateful. Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's to the Mud on Your Ball!

2008-11-12T08:54:00.000-08:00

It's been raining hard lately. But, the course you are playing at has posted the Winter Rules sign, so when you finally find your ball on the edge of the rough, you know that you can pick it up , clean off the mud, replace it and you will be free to hit. No question! Right? Wouldn't you rather play with a clean ball?

The answer to this is obvious for all of us who play. It is so important for some players that they risk health and life by washing the ball in their mouth or licking it clean with their tongue. Yikes! But, it is just common sense that a clean ball will perform best as it is designed, clean from any accumulated stuff. So, why would you choose to hit the dirty ball? You wouldn't, would you?

Our reaction to mud on the ball is immediate and unquestioned. We see it, we clean it. Clean balls work better. Now, take the ball as a useful metaphor for our lives. But, with this metaphor, what is the "mud" equivalent for our lives? Our lives are designed to work well, extremely well, just like the ball. Have I lost my mind? Maybe, but let's play with the metaphor anyway.

Let's coin the phrase, "mental mud." How can we mentally muddy the ball? What is the nature of this kind of mud? Where does it come from? How does it affect the ball? To find answers to these questions, we could be drawn into the dark realms of Freud and Jung. But, instead, let's focus simply on the dynamics of striking a clean ball and the various ways we can "dirty up" our chances of success. Here are some of the most common ways to describe "mental mud;"

Mental Chatter: Perhaps most obvious is all the thinking and analysing that fills our consciousness before we begin our swings. In the moment of action, "thinking" only muddies the process, lessening our effectiveness with the ball. Typical is the temptation of trying to remember the details of swing mechanics. There is no mental room for the ball.

Memory Warnings: How often do you look at a particular golf situation through the lenses of the past? You might notice some of the physical symptoms, like tightness, nervousness or a bitter taste in your mouth as you approach certain lies that remind you of difficulties or even disasters of past rounds. The ball becomes an evil reminder.

Attitude Dictator: Attitudes form frames of reference from which we live our lives. Over time (repetitions), they tend to dictate our moods, physical reactions and patterns of thinking. Especially noticeable on a golf course are attitudes of resignation ("I'll never get this!"), fear ("Oh, my gosh, so much water!"), invincibility ("I think I'll hit from the Tournament Tees"), pride (I can drive the ball farther than he can!"). In these cases, the ball is irrelevant, your attitude is doing the most important work.

Demons of Doubt: Golf is such a difficult sport to master that doubt and uncertainty become our frequent playing partners. Our distrust will interfere with all aspects of playing this game well. Remember trying to hole a six foot putt while continuing to change your mind on the speed and line. It won't matter how clean the ball is, it ain't going where you want it to go.

Great Expectations: Whether driven by ego or by innocent hopefulness, we often view our playing moments (the ball) through a prism of expectations. Golf is a grand game, sometimes tempting illusions of greatness. We all want to putt like Tiger, flop like Phil and drive like Sergio. These images stand in between us and a clean ball, putting far too much pressure on our skill levels. Your ball is built for pressure, but not this kind.

Emotional Baggage: Missing a short putt, slicing a three wood into the lake, "chunking" a "gimme" approach shot, so many different ways during a round of golf that can get us crazy; ie., frustrated, angry, hopeless, etc. Standing over a new shot while carrying this kind of baggage can only interfere with your swing, mentally and physically. You might as well play with a black ball. (Nike got this right with their promotional Black Ball, only it wouldn't be a big seller. I wonder why?)

Create a Mental Mud Free Zone. If cleaning your ball makes common sense, then cleaning your mind should become an even more important practice. As you know, there is an essential connection between the ball and your mind. Why not develop ways to insure, to best of your ability, that you are bringing the clearest and cleanest mind to the game? Make these practices as simple and practical as washing your ball at each tee box. Every shot offers you the chance to succeed in a "mud free" zone. Why not take advantage of it and give yourself a chance to play your best? And,just think about all the money, time and intelligence that went into producing that $4.00 ball. Why waste all that perfection by covering it with your own unnecessary mud?

Think? Feel? Or Not? Playing Our Best.

2008-11-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

The break in the rain only intensified the golfing opportunity that showed up on the course today. Golfers were excited, keyed-up. The rain had stopped. It is time to play, get on the course before the next wave of storm clouds would drive everyone back into the 19th hole lounge.

Dressed in full compliments of rain gear, umbrellas and drying towels in hand, the driving range was full, tee-boxes, fairways and greens were busy with eager players. What was particularly noticeable though, was the general air of hurried excitement and a strange mixture of impatience and aggravation. People weren't playing well and they were not recording typical scores. You could see and hear a surprisingly foul mood around the course. What had happened to all the enthusiasm, all the hopefulness?

Lower scores are predictable with the unusually wet rough, slow greens and the fresh cement-like condition of the bunkers. Indeed, it is understandable that with these conditions, play would be sub-normal and frustrations high. But, why was it affecting peoples' moods so pervasively? What is really the reason for the lower scores - was it the wet conditions or the way players reacted to the wet conditions? Where do emotions fall on to the continuum of cause/effect? Are scores more reflective of playing skills or mental skills?

One of the cornerstones of a foundation of mental skills is this question of causality. Who's in charge? Who's in control? How much do your thoughts, attitudes and emotional reactions effect the quality of your golf swing? How does your attitude determine your playing mood? We're back to the same question - does your play determine your mood or does your mood dictate the quality of your play?

Thankfully, you and I don't have to be neurochemical scientists to understand how this issue plays out throughout a round of golf. But, take a journey back through the last several rounds of golf you have played and ask yourself some simple questions. You'll likely shed some revealing light on the relationship between what you think and feel and how you play;

What expectations do you have for your performance and what is a typical or common reaction to any shortcoming?

How often are you disappointed after starting your round with noticeable optimism?

How do you react when you miss a third short putt in a row?

How often do you try to analyse what went "wrong" with a miss hit before the next shot?

How often do you demean your abilities or skills?

How do you feel after hitting "good" shots?

How do you feel after hitting "bad" shots?

How many holes does it take you to "get over" a shanked shot?

How often when a round starts to spiral out of control, do you play just to "keep things from getting worse?"

What percentage of your swing strategies are focused on "correcting" previous shots?

Have you blamed the grass or the sand or the wind, for your miss hits?

On a scale of 0-10, how much fun do you have when you play a round?

Do you pay attention to your score while you play? And, if so, why? Identify typical thought and feeling reactions to what you see on your scorecard.

You might notice a theme threading through these questions. As you read this blog posting, your utilizing the same mental faculties that you can use to discipline your mind during any sporting event. But, remember, golf is as difficult as it is because you have a lot of time to fall into the trap of thinking while you play. Now, is a perfect time to think, not while standing over the ball out on the course. However, managing your thoughts and using your ability to focus while you play are basic disciplines that require practice.

So, practice your thinking. Feel whatever you feel. It really doesn't matter what you feel, just feel and then, make sure you practice balancing and letting-go of anything that would interfere with your calm, relaxed and refreshed approach to playing your best. And, when you begin to play well, feel excited and proud and hopeful, but remember to let-go of those feelings as well. We perform best when our minds are quiet , our guts are calm and our intent is clearly in focus. Practice that! Every shot!

Of Golf and Excellence in North Carolina

2008-10-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

Even as the plane lifted-off the tarmac, through the scratches in the window, I could identify the pine-lined course that had been my little piece of golfing paradise for the previous day. Delighted to have the chance to see it again from the air, my mind immediately began recalling the one almost perfect shot, the wasted chances while I adjusted to the different grass conditions, the unexplainable hook on the 11th hole, the breaks that didn't break...you know, the usual, engaging after-round reflections.

Within a few minutes, the sky view of my course faded past the tail wing. But, before turning to my morning paper, I spied what looked like another course. Being easily fascinated by flyovers of golf courses, I spent the next half hour fascinated by the particulars of the many courses still visible from my seat. For all the pine forests covering the landscape, every few minutes offered yet another course to view; sculpted fairways cutting through the pine, lakes and swamps highlighting layouts and sand - white sand bunkers everywhere, in every shape. Golf must be very popular in North Carolina.

How many people are there in North Carolina? And, do they all play these beautiful courses? My trip to this area was for business, but I did manage to schedule a day to play at one of the many courses in the "Research Triangle", the Finley Course of UNC. Not surprisingly, it was a tough choice, mostly because of the strong inter-school rivalries and passions of the Duke/UNC crowd boosting the greater appeal of their school's course.

I will play the Duke course on the next trip, just to maintain the health of my local friendships. And, I know when I do, I'll need to consider all the other options that are the "not to miss" favorites of anyone else (seemingly everyone!) who has played golf in this area. I have even spoken to some folks here in the Bay Area who have their own lists of their favorite places to play in North Carolina. What is with this passion for golf in North Carolina?

Granted, I spent only one week and only played one round, but here is why I'll go back. The abundance of good-to-great public or semi-private courses is amazing. The price to play ranges from cheap($25) to expensive($300) but, mostly affordable ($30-$60.) And, there aren't that many people that actually live here! Get out of the city or corporate park sprawl and you are in the woods! Except for the high-end tourist resorts, the courses are easy to book tee times.

The natural appeal of this area plays well beyond the endless forests of pine trees. Whether on the coast or in the mountains of the west, North Carolina offers a variety of tracts that tempts any mood for landscapes or difficulty. But, one element of the course you play will most certainly be sand. Sand is a natural and integral aspect of course design out here, as are the swamps and sand grasses. The pine trees grow straight and tall, with branches only on the upper heights of the tree so any off-line shots often have chances to be rescued, albeit on piles of soft pine needles.

In these parts, course maintenance is an art and highly respected. You can see the signs of that professional attentiveness with the quality of the surfaces and the care taken with the landscaping. Course superintendents often come from long held family traditions, breeding a network of professionals and staff that see their work as part art, part science, but always a source of pride. For example, after chatting with the course superintendent, I was not surprised to find a detailed grass description in my mail upon arriving back home. He sent the above picture as well, with an explanation and a schedule for when the colors turn. That is dedication!

What does this all have to do with the mental game of golf? Everything! The environment of golf in North Carolina clearly reflects some of the fundamentals of a sound mental game of golf. Here are two essential points of mastery that were demonstrated at the UNC course; 1)a clear and genuine sense of purpose and 2)a rigorous dedication to upholding standards of excellence.

Apply a purposefulness to your practice, to your every shot, even to the cleaning of your equipment and you will start to see that attitude emerge into new results out on the golf course. Attitude is everything. Of course, talent, skills and practice are necessary, but, you must practice standards of excellence with a discipline and rigor in order to earn the pride of a champion. To "be" masterful at anything, you must "act" masterful. "Being" and "acting" are are essential co-dependents.

Beautiful courses like they have in North Carolina don't happen by accident. Nor, do champions excel by DNA or luck alone. They are made. They are nurtured. And, they are coached. Inspired by a passionate caring for creating something truly remarkable, it is easy to see why courses and champions are made to be shared with the many of us and to be cherished by all of us.

Put an Obama in Your Golf Game

2008-10-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

Try putting a little Obama in your golf game and I'd bet, you'll end up lowering your scores. Whether or not Barack Obama is elected to the Presidency of the United States of America, we will all have benefited from his example during his campaign. He may be especially instructional for those of us who play golf.

I don't mean "watch his swing mechanics." I don't know whether he even plays the game. but, rather, watch how he plays the game of campaigning. What could you learn about playing under pressure? Imagine your game enhanced by some of the qualities of temperament and character you have seen him display in the last several months of intense scrutiny. Put yourself on the putting green with millions watching you stand over a 15 ft putt to win. What would you be feeling? What would you be thinking? What would your body look like on the outside and what would it be experiencing inside?

These questions refer to states of emotion, the clarity of mental focus and the fitness of the physical body to perform in stressful situations. You may not like him. You may not vote for him, but you've got to acknowledge his extraordinary confidence and calm under pressure. He is emotionally balanced, intellectually disciplined, physically alert, calm and relaxed. Now, imagine a description of your golfing demeanor with those words.

The Jesus Shot - Tiger at His Best!

2008-10-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

What more can we say about Tiger? He's got it all! Great talent, great story, great smile, great wife, baby, foundation...the list goes on. Now, he even walks on water to produce miracle shots. What will be next, President?

The above YouTube clip is a funny and very clever use of pop culture to capitalize on Tiger's celebrity and market his brand. It seems that everyone wants a piece of his greatness and marketability. Myself included! I am personally very grateful to Tiger, all his marketing genius aside, for he offers the world such a clear picture of greatness, as an athlete and as a man.

With the simple caveat that I don't personally know him or anyone that does know him, I am still unabashed in my admiration of what I see and read of him. I realize that many are weary of the constant adulation given his person, but I cannot dismiss the extraordinary talent and dedication that he has shown us in the way he plays this game, not to mention, lives his life.

Let me point to just a couple of the traits that I see that stand out for example. Most notably is his passion and dedication for what he does. Tiger's commitment for excellence is revealed not just in how hard and long he works, but in the intensity of his passion. His enthusiasm for what he does is real. When he is amped-up for sinking a putt, he is electrifying. In his disappointment for pull-hooking a drive, you watch and feel the pain in which he takes it out on his golf bag. I hear that even at the ping-pong table, his drive to win is remarkable.

Yet, the second point I will offer stands in dramatic contrast to this fierce determination, his humor. Tiger is well know for his 90 million dollar smile. But, his contagious smile only hints at a depth of joy in which his life must dwell. As I have said, I am not privy to his personal life, so I can only assume based on how he acts and behaves in public. He loves to laugh. He laughs at himself or he'll laugh at some stroke of outrageous fortune or turn of luck. He laughs with his caddy and often with his fans. But, the people who really see the sparkle of his joy are the numbers of youngsters who get to spend mornings with him at a special clinic or at one of the innumerable charity functions in which he gives his time. He loves kids, that is obvious. But, what is special is the way he cherishes the smiles of kids who are beginning to see the world in a new and exciting way. As they become more confident and hopeful, his smile gets bigger.

In another blog entry, I spoke of balance. It might appear that Tiger's life is a whirlwind of dedications and that he lives for golf, at the expense of all else. But, nothing could be farther from the truth. He is a master at living in balance with the elements of his life that are so true for him. He is extraordinary not just for what he does, but for "who he is." And as a result , we are all better-off to have him as our teacher.

A Champion's Heart

2008-09-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

Just what is so special about the heart of a champion? After Lance Armstrong finished his last triumph on the Champ d'Elysee there was much talk about how Mr. Armstrong's actual heart was bigger than normal, thus allowing for more blood to be distributed to his body during peak performance demands. Do all champions have larger hearts? No, probably not. But, in any event, it would be a useless concern for those of us that are endowed with only normal sized hearts, because we still aspire to perform like champions. So, is there any hope for us? Of course!

But, rather than ask a question of physics and physiology, as golfers, let's consider what it might mean to play with the "heart of a champion." Let's put aside the physical heart and look into the meaning of the metaphor, "heart." To define heart in this manner, we need only consider all the adjectives or modifiers that usually describe a champion's performance, words like; passionate, determined, gutsy, fearless, unwavering, unconditional or perhaps, uncompromising. Think about all the times when you have referred to someone's performance and described it "full of heart." What have you recognized in their behavior or demeanor that has made such a strong and definitive impression?

A champion's performance is visible for all to see and admire, but what is not obvious is the more personal, underlying motivations that "drive" the player to excel in the way that they do. We could say, this is really the "heart" of the matter. Perhaps the vital question is always, one of "intention." Not, the intention such as "a plan" or a set of "hopes," but a question of powerful and uniquely personal inspiration that combines vision, motivation, desire and will to excel at something. This intentionality is often deeply intertwined in the fabric of our life's history and is often expressed with or without our even being very aware of it. But, for champions, this intention is an underlying force of their dedication. It is very much a primary force in their lives.

What is it? Can we buy it, drink it, inject it? No! But, maybe then, certain special people are just born with it? Yes, but...all of us are born with it as a fundamental power of our lives. Recognizing, accepting and harnessing that power is key to how great champions create extraordinary results in any game. For you and me, the process is just as simple. But, if it isn't happening naturally already, then work must be done to access and then direct that power towards the important goals and ambitions of our lives.

Now, to golf. On a golf course, there are 60+ times when you must ask yourself a simple question about intention, "what do I want?" Most often, this seems like such a ludicrously simplistic question. Of course, we all want to put the ball in the hole with the fewest strokes. If only it were that simple! But, it is! To have the best chance of putting the ball in the hole, you must constantly eliminate anything that would be in the way of the ball going into the hole.

What? Hold on, now. Such gibberish! Most people would think this is nonsense and I know it sounds like it. But, your suspicions, cynicisms and doubts are typical of the sort of things that are in the way of the ball! Test yourself. Go out on the putting green, stand over your next important putt and focus on doubt, mistrust and uncertainty and watch how far off-mark your putt will be. Or, stand on the tee with a new, expensive ball and and only think about how the spectators are going to judge you if you slice into the water or top the ball into the rough in front of you. What will happen?

Herein lies one of the keys to the intention game; you are the boss! It is your choice to play. It is your vision that compels your desire. It is your mind that focuses on either what is important or on all the other distractions. It is up to you to decide how serious you will be about the perfection of your play or how accepting you will be of the inevitable failures. It is up to you to put in the practice hours, hire the coach, buy the appropriate equipment, understand the slope challenges and all other aspects of the game. In all regards, you're it!

Champions get this. That is why they are so often described as totally committed and passionately dedicated. This emotional and mental state is no accident. They are clear. They are free. They are true to themselves. And, they are present and engaged with their lives' commitments. We can all learn from their example because we all have the same abilities and the same capacities. We may never equal their accomplishments or reach their level of performance, but we all have the chance to live and to excel with the passions and the whole hearted enthusiasm that is our birthright.

Ryder Cup Players Balance the Mental Game and the Emotional Game

2008-09-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

Was this cool, or what? What a tremendous display of sport; great physical skills, extraordinary mental concentration and tremendous emotional passion, all displayed on a golf course. Are these guys that good?!

Who ever said that to play well you had to control your emotions? This weeks exhibition of world class competitors has given us all a lesson in as an aspect of the mental game that generally is oversimplified and subsequently misunderstood.

Let's consider: on a golf course, we often hear simple commands like, "don't be too emotional" or "control yourself." What are the common methods we employ to "control" our emotions? Usually we mandate a blanket condemnation of having, or displaying any emotion, so we try to hide or mask our real emotional reactions to events. Sometimes this method leads us to act unemotional or "cool," almost as if we didn't want to care too much. Another common response is to manhandle emotions, as if packing them down within so they don't appear on the surface, thus convincing ourselves that our emotional state is no longer relevant. Or, if all else fails, we'll avoid the issue entirely by ignoring, denying, pretending or distracting our attention. All these methods are commonly used to seemingly minimize the emotional impact on our golf game, as if, emotions are harmful.

However, did you see these guys this week at Valhalla? Their emotions were explosively evident for all to see. No one was hiding anything! Even as viewers, we rode a roller coaster of emotions as we followed the play from group to group, hole to hole, day to day. But, it was the players that demonstrated such skill at playing with passion. All the elements for a great game were in place; a trophy to win back, a humiliating trend to reverse, captains' picks with controversy, the world's top player absent, a tough, but beautiful course and home town boys playing in front of fired-up home town fans. This was a time to be emotional!

Here is a simple mental game analysis of what was clearly visible for everyone. The players that continued to play well, played with an ideal mixture of attributes. Most importantly, they honestly accepted the emotion-laden environment in which they played. They didn't fight it or try to defend themselves from the surrounding mood and noise, they surrendered to it and became part of it, ie; Anthony Kim becoming a constant cheerleader, revving-up the crowd on his way to the next tee. But, never letting go of their real intentions, they let their authentic determination guide them through the distractions.

But, with some notable exceptions, the competitors managed to neutralize the physical consequences of such intense passions, allowing them to regain composure when necessary. Moments of emotion was punctuated with moments of deep breathing, closed eye visualizing and even stepping back away from putts or tee balls to assure greater inner calm. Most importantly though, most of the US players were genuinely enjoying the experience. They had fun! Sure, there was tremendous pressure. Sure, there was a lot at stake and lots of people watching every move, but players managed to retain a healthy perspective on the event, allowing them to balance intense concentration with great swings of excitement.

Simply, golf is an ideal reflector of our human tendencies. More players were successful in this really intensified, emotional and pressure-packed contest by accepting, embracing if you will, the environment just as it was, as opposed to trying to find a way to control it. Acceptance allows you the freedom to flourish. Opposition traps you into a stressful battle. The Ryder Cup only magnifies this dynamic and makes it more important how each player "handles" their emotions.

Imagine yourself in this situation and how you might habitually react and how you might otherwise respond to the pressure. Maybe, all you'll need to do in the future is to remember Boo Weekley as he rode off the first tee with his driver under his legs, galloping off to the quest of his life.

Daily Golf Thoughts about Life

2008-09-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

A thought a day! I was asked recently to identify the key thoughts that exemplify the value of studying the mental game of golf. That doesn't sound like too tall an order, so I enthusiastically embarked on writing two sentence capsules of mental game topics. After thirty keypoints, I thought I might have something. After forty-five points, I became a little more concerned as to how deep the well could be. At forty-six, I was sure there wouldn't be much more left to haul out of my well. I considered throwing the shovel down the hole.

But, as I uncovered just a few more jewels of insight, I began to consider that golf really does present an abundance of parallels to life, revealing endless lessons. The well was deep! And herein, was one of the mental game keys: Be open to discover what you don't already see. An open mind encourages an open heart. An open heart allows the body to be naturally relaxed and poised to act. A free and loose body is essential to a powerful and balanced swing.

Consider: every stroke offers an opportunity to learn. The flight of the ball has built-in feedback value. It can tell you much about how you hit the ball. Rather than react in judgment and emotion, use the ball flight as a learning tool. Direction, spin, loft and distance are all produced by your swing mechanics and perhaps even your mental attitude. For example; I might slice hook a drive simply because I am trying too hard to smash a long ball like my playing partner just did. Or, perhaps I have subtly allowed my grip to slip over time, leaving my clubface open at contact with the ball. But, I must be willing to learn from the information, not just react.

What am I really talking about is essentially, an "attitude," a basic way of viewing or a stance from which you react to the world. One fundamental aspect of a sound mental game is having an attitude that nourishes openness and sustains a genuine enthusiasm for playing the game. You are not born with an attitude, you develop one. All of us interpret everything that occurs within a round of golf. What is crucial is the effect of that interpretation on our mood or our emotional and physical temperament.

It turns out that after reflecting on this life phenomenon, suddenly I began to discover still more mental game thoughts for golf. Maybe it is really is all about "attitude?" My goal: one a day, for a year - only 294 left to go!

Breathing for Better Golf

2008-08-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

Breathing is the essence of life and a vital part of maintaining composure, clarity and creativeness on a golf course. Sufficient oxygen is crucial for your muscles, brain, lungs and heart to work efficiently, especially to work together in situations that involve stress or extra pressure. Remember the times when you have been short of breath because of some physical exertion and how hard it was to concentrate on what you wanted to accomplish. It is even difficult to focus clearly on something even when you are breathing "normally." On the other hand, there are ways to breathe that enable you to not only relax physically, but to really excel at staying focused, clear and imaginative.

Deep breathing has long been a fundamental discipline of masters, be they yogis or competitive archers. It has been practiced for thousands of years as a way to calm and balance the internal life forces that determine our vitality and clarity of mind. Now think golf! How many times during a round of golf could you have benefited from a quieter heart? How much easier is it to putt a four footer when your mind is clear and your body calm?

Practice breathing. Not, everyday, ordinary autonomic breathing, but a purposeful and conscious act; deep, even, easy and thorough. Find a rhythm and pace for inhaling and exhaling. Make sure that you feel your breathing is connected to the lower portions of your abdomen. The yogis refer to this as breathing from a "soft- belly." In this way, you connect the three vital neurological centers in your solar plexus, heart and brain. The simple and immediate effect of this measured breathing is increased clarity of focus, a relaxed and responsive physical body and a greater chance to imagine and visualize your next shot.

Below, I have provided a slideshow of golf course photos for you to practice your even-paced breathing; inhale during one scene and exhale during the next. Remember - easy, even and deep. Find your own rhythm. These slides are set at a fairly typical breathing rate, yours might be easier at a different pace.

Notice that in timing your breathing to the slideshow, there are many moments that you were thinking of nothing else but your breathing. The same experience happens on a golf course, creating moments where you not only relax your body with breathing, but you also shift your focus onto something other than the last shot.

My thanks to Wayne Freedman, the San Francisco ABC news reporter for the terrific pics. All Rights Reserved. To stay updated to his ever growing collection of golf course photos, visit his site:

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/channel?section=news/sports/pro/golf&id=5837624

First Tee Jitters

2008-08-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

Preparing to launch this new site, I have been aware of a certain anxiousness about posting for the first time. Being a newcomer to the blogosphere, I am feeling awkward about standing up here, in front of the world, club, I mean keyboard, in hand.

How perfect! My first topic was going to be "first tee jitters"! As a mental game coach, I am often listening to stories describing intense and unnerving fear taking hold of players as they start their rounds, especially when the 1st tee gallery is larger than usual. For many of us, standing on the tee box waiting to start our rounds can be a wild mixture of thoughts and feelings such as; "can I hit the ball as far as the first two long-ball smackers?," "will I wiff it into the water on the right?," "who are those people watching over there?" Or, "I'm not warmed up enough!" "Remember the last time and my quadruple bogey?" Learning to deal with these distractions can be a valuable skill for any player, recreational to competitive.

Here are three commonly used techniques for calming the First Tee Jitters:

* Become Aware - Utilize your ability to sense, listen and notice any of the signs of distractions. Become aware of the noises before they interfere with your swing. Much of what fills your mind is automatic and habitual. Becoming aware allows you to be present, interrupting the process of your habits and giving you a new chance to focus on what really matters, your target.

* Breathe - Easy, deep, "soft-tummy" breathing helps to focus your mind and body, establishing a clear, calm and energized readiness. This will also help you to concentrate on the target. Concentrating on your breathing replaces the automatic and unthinking habits of your unconscious mind, giving you the control over your actions.

* Pre- shot Routines - Yes, of course, one more time! I am sure that you have heard this already a thousand times, but the value of a simple pre-shot routine cannot be over-emphasized. It is a sequence of mental, visual and physical reminders which all act to trigger a well practiced familiarity with the shot you are about to make. When you step into this sequence, you can make a clean break with the distractions, whatever they are, and enter into a zone - a performance zone. In this "zone", you are free to concentrate and more enabled to execute your task.

It's easy! Start the next time you play a round. Remember these three elements, use them on the first tee and then employ them with every shot you make throughout the day.

Don't expect miracles to happen, right off. Be patient, practice and be open to learning what will work for you. The whole idea is to find ways to help you clearly focus on your targets.

Let me know how it goes for you as you begin to eliminate the First Tee Jitters!