Learning from Tiger Woods

In watching the PGA Championship this year, Ianalyzing your swing.   You swing harder and
marveled at how Tiger came from nowhere andharder.   All of these things tend to speed you
finished in 3rd place at 2 under par (2 shots off ofup and hamper your ability to get back in the
the lead).  If Phil Mickelson hadn't hung on, thisgame.   This loss of focus sometimes ends up
performance of Tiger's could have tied or evenmaking you play even worse or play so poorly
won the championship.  It's Tiger's unbelievablethat you end up quitting which is something Tiger
perseverance that's lead me to write this tip.would never do.
Tiger's PerseveranceHow to Switch to "Grind Mode" Like Tiger
Have you also noticed that just when you thinkAs you continue to play this great game of golf,
Tiger is totally out of it, he's back in it?  Do youyou will always have your ups and downs.  You
ever wonder why this is?  It's because Tigerwill never be great all of the time.  With this in
never gives up.  He knows that anything couldmind, you really have to have a game plan the
happen in this game.  He knows the pressurenext time you lose your game.  In order to flip
that is associated with this game and thethe switch and get into the "grinding mode" like
pressure that is put on the other players who areTiger, just follow these steps:
in the lead.  Tiger can withstand this pressure,1.  Never quit - tell yourself that you are not a
whereas, other pros cannot.  He knows that inquitter in life so you shouldn't quit while playing
major tournaments, the field will usually comegolf.
back to him.  So if he can grind away and just2.  Give yourself permission to make mistakes -
get a couple of shots back on the field he's rightrealize that you will never be perfect while playing
back in the hunt.  If Tiger was someone whothis game.
gave up when he was playing poorly, he wouldn't3.  Forget the past - think only about the shot at
consistently be in the top ten in the majority ofhand.
tournaments he plays in.4.  Forget swing mechanics - think about swinging
The Difference Between You and Tigerat an easy pace that you can handle.
The major difference between how Tiger can5.  Focus even harder on the target you are
grind his way back from a poor round, and youtrying to hit to - isolate the exact spot you want
can't, is that Tiger has the ability to re-focus andto hit to.
re-group.  After his poor play, he has given6.  Choose the right club for the situation - if in
himself a reality check and has realized that hedoubt, always take more club not less.
has to re-focus and re-group if he wants to get7.  Be 100% committed to the shot before you
back in the game.  If you watch him when he's inpull the trigger - you have to eliminate any doubt
"grinding mode", you will see that he totally slowsin any shot including putting.
everything down.  He thinks about what shot he8.  Take your time - slowing down calms you
is going to hit longer.   He stands over it longerdown and allows you to think more clearly about
making sure he is 100% committed before pullingthe shot at hand.
the trigger.  He visualizes the shot and focusesNow that you have a few ideas of how to "grind
on the target longer.   All of these thingsit out" or "re-group" try to take them with you
combined gets him back in the game.the next time you go to play.  Who knows that
When finding yourself in a sticky situation like this,bad stretch of holes may be closer than you
you tend to do the opposite.  You dwell on thethink.
past.  You get mad at yourself.  You start over