| As a golfer you must certainly be aware that | | | | In addition to visualizing your swing and having the |
| learning the mental game of golf is just as | | | | capacity to not let a bad shot get to you, there |
| important - if not more important - as learning | | | | are many other components to the mental game |
| even something as fundamental as swing basics. | | | | of golf. Learning to cope with pressure is a big |
| Perhaps to a greater extent than with any other | | | | part it, as we all know that stress levels rise |
| sport, conquering golf's mental game is essential | | | | when the game gets competitive. Learning to |
| to becoming a great golfer. Without conquering | | | | utilize pressure to your advantage will significantly |
| this aspect of the game, you can pretty much | | | | improve your game. It is, in fact, quite possible to |
| surrender yourself to mediocrity at best. | | | | use pressure to take you to the next level. |
| Think about the last time you played golf - did | | | | Also, it is critical to the game of golf that you |
| you visualize your shot before taking your swing? | | | | remain in the moment. This technique is practiced |
| If not, you are depriving yourself of a very | | | | by Buddhist monks from all over the world; and it |
| important step. Without visualization, you have no | | | | can be applied quite relevantly to the game of |
| capacity to send your ball in the right direction | | | | golf. If you are not focused, centered and |
| upon impact. | | | | attentive to your game, it is nearly impossible to |
| If you failed to visualize your shot, the chances | | | | play at your best. Learning to stay in the moment |
| are pretty high that you did not have a great | | | | is perhaps one of the best methods to improving |
| shot. If this was the case, were you able to | | | | your game. |
| rebound after sending your ball in the wrong | | | | If you learn to play the mental game of golf, the |
| direction? Or was your mental game of golf such | | | | rest will fall into place. While it may seem counter |
| that you fell quickly into a rut? On the other hand, | | | | intuitive to work on the psychological component |
| when you have a great shot are you able to | | | | of a sport before even the fundamentals, this |
| duplicate it on your subsequent shots? Improving | | | | approach is tried and tested. |
| your mental game will help you to repeat the | | | | Any professional golfer will tell you that the inner |
| good shots and isolate the bad ones. | | | | game of golf takes precedence over any other |
| To develop golf's mental game you must be able | | | | aspect of the game. By working on the |
| to handle every distraction that comes your way | | | | psychological component of the game first, you |
| - be that a bad shot or a hazard on the course. | | | | effectively simplify the rest of the learning |
| But just like mastering your swing does not come | | | | process. |
| easily, neither does the mental game of golf. | | | | |