| For those who don't play golf it can be difficult to | | | | hours training their physical body, many neglect |
| understand the emotions a golfer feels as they | | | | the importance and training for the mental |
| stand on the first tee. Along with thoughts of the | | | | aspects of their sport. The game of golf can be |
| possibilities each new round holds, all too often | | | | inherently stressful because it is such an |
| golfers find their knees getting weak, they feel | | | | individualized pursuit. Hypnosis techniques can help |
| themselves start to sweat, and their heart seems | | | | golfers remain calm when pressure mounts--a |
| to pound harder by the second. While there is no | | | | trait that is beneficial to any athlete in any sport. |
| sure-fire technique to alleviate all the anxiety | | | | By remaining directed and relaxed, the game of |
| associated with playing golf, through the use of | | | | golf becomes far more enjoyable and your |
| visualization, self hypnosis, and neuro-linguistic | | | | chances of a successful outcome increase. |
| programming techniques, it is possible to make | | | | Neuro-linguistic programming, often abbreviated as |
| staying cool under pressure almost second nature. | | | | NLP, is a behavioral technology that allows a |
| Visualization is the practice of imagining success | | | | person to alter, implement, and dismiss certain |
| and keeping a positive outlook. Many golfers | | | | behaviors while choosing one's mental, physical, |
| become anxious about their next round hours, or | | | | and emotional state of mind. While this may sound |
| sometimes days, before they tee off. Such | | | | elaborate, from a golf perspective NLP is the |
| negative thinking is counter-productive and almost | | | | process of using one's mind to achieve the |
| inevitably results in failure. It is critical for all | | | | desired results. NLP involves learning from past |
| golfers, be they beginners or seasoned | | | | mistakes. Instead of dwelling on them, NLP allows |
| professionals, to constantly use visualization | | | | you to reframe your state of mind so that when |
| techniques in an effort to remain positive and | | | | you are faced with a similar situation in the future, |
| focused on the desired outcome. Visualization is | | | | a more desirable outcome is the likely result. It is |
| most effective when you are able to block all | | | | important for golfers to not simply replay past |
| outside stimuli. When a nervous golfer approaches | | | | failures in their mind, but rather to also focus on |
| the first tee, he should concentrate solely on the | | | | what has worked before in an effort to remain |
| desired result in his mind. His first thoughts should | | | | positive. |
| be of a long drive down the center of the | | | | For all athletes, the power of the mind should |
| fairway. This mental focus makes this desired | | | | never be underestimated. In the game of golf |
| outcome the most likely result. Visualization | | | | there may be no more of a mental sport in the |
| coupled with positive thinking are effective tools | | | | world. Golf becomes far more enjoyable if a |
| for remaining calm and focussed during any | | | | player can train their mind to remain focused, |
| stressful situation. They greatly improve your | | | | relaxed, and in control. Staying cool under |
| odds for a successful shot and a successful round. | | | | pressure is a characteristic that separates golfers |
| Self-hypnosis is, as the name suggests, hypnosis | | | | from great golfers. Through the use of |
| one performs on them self. Sports performance | | | | visualization, self hypnosis, and neuro-linguistic |
| hypnosis is a form of hypnosis which encourages | | | | programming techniques to play the mental game |
| a participant to relax before engaging in their | | | | of golf, every golfer can find a state of mind that |
| sporting activity. While athletes of all types spend | | | | facilitates their success. |