| Why is it so difficult to shut out intrusive | | | | These thoughts introduce tension and remove |
| thoughts? | | | | flow, which makes it almost impossible to hit a |
| Each time you address the ball, it is important to | | | | good shot. Here you have to make a decision, |
| switch on and remain focused for the duration of | | | | you can temporarily discard those thoughts to |
| your shot. By keeping your thoughts in the | | | | gain maximum focus and place all of your energy |
| present, each time you attempt a shot your mind | | | | into hitting the perfect shot, or you can worry |
| will be focused and full of positive energy. | | | | about repeating a bad shot and not beating your |
| Introducing thoughts from past experience while | | | | record, causing you to lose confidence in your |
| addressing the ball only invites the mind to | | | | ability and consequently hindering your |
| contrive negative scenarios that cause you to | | | | performance in a situation where you need it |
| analyse your present situation. Imagining an | | | | most. |
| undesirable outcome will force you to play with | | | | Do you often feel overwhelmed during a |
| inhibition rather than to your full potential. | | | | competition? |
| The best way to achieve an optimal state of | | | | Making a habit of playing in the present ensures |
| focus is to completely zone in on a spot on the | | | | that your current shot will never be affected by |
| ball, without thinking about possible consequences, | | | | limitations, conditions or over-thinking. To take the |
| or repeating past mistakes and create an image | | | | pressure off for your entire game, your round |
| of what it is you want to do. With each shot you | | | | can be broken down into smaller competitions |
| start anew, ensuring that no mental baggage is | | | | that you play against yourself. If you only have to |
| taken to your next hole, and with the advantage | | | | worry about your present shot, you'll be less likely |
| of a clean slate, all of your pre-conceived | | | | to feel overwhelmed, and will learn to enjoy the |
| limitations are lifted. To explain this in greater | | | | moment rather than obsessing about what could |
| detail, imagine that you are teeing off the 18th | | | | have been or what might be. The golfer's famous |
| tee and you are one stroke ahead of your all | | | | saying of "if only...!" can be completely removed |
| time best score. You know that if you par this | | | | from your thoughts. |
| hole you will have a new personal record. At the | | | | Tips |
| same time you are thinking about the round you | | | | 1. Avoid feeling overwhelmed by clearing your |
| had yesterday, when you teed off the 18th and | | | | mind, and concentrating only on the present |
| your ball landed in the trees. Right then and there | | | | moment. |
| you have introduced two separate thoughts from | | | | 2. Shut out intrusive thoughts concerning past |
| past and future into your present moment, | | | | mistakes, or the possible outcome of your shot. |
| interrupting your focus and concentration while | | | | 3. "Zone in" on your ball and take the shot. Worry |
| addressing the ball. | | | | about your next shot when you get to it. |