| > | | | | enjoy the feeling of accomplishment over and |
| | | | over again. You know that you are capable of |
| Golf can be a tricky game and can be a little | | | | hitting shots like this and they will happen more |
| difficult to learn. To play golf well you have to | | | | and more frequently. This is what gets you |
| learn to manage emotions as well as the | | | | excited and chomping at the bit to get out there |
| mechanics of the swing. | | | | and play again! |
| I am a really lucky person. I absolutely love the | | | | Please don't allow your shoulders to slump and |
| game of golf, and "bad shots" just don't get to | | | | your gaze to just contemplate the grass upon the |
| me in the way that they do a lot of other golfers. | | | | fairway. Your body language reflects your moods |
| To me, when that ball ends up tucked under the | | | | and emotions. When you feel down, everything |
| rim of a sand trap, or right up behind a tree | | | | about your body language heads south. Square |
| trunk, I am provided with an opportunity to be | | | | your shoulders, raise your eyes and enjoy the |
| creative; I relish the opportunity to try something | | | | beauty of the golf course; laugh with your friends, |
| new on the golf course and then just watch what | | | | and know that this is just a tricky little game |
| "pops out". | | | | which is going to get easier and easier with |
| I guess that I'm lucky in that the score doesn't | | | | practice, so long as you don't worry about it. Just |
| matter to me. I'm not playing golf to earn enough | | | | as your moods are reflected in your body |
| money to feed the family or pay the mortgage. I | | | | language, as you consciously lift your eyes and |
| play golf because I enjoy golf, and everything | | | | shoulders up, this will have a reciprocal effect |
| which goes with it - the friends you make, the | | | | upon your emotions. Always keep your head high |
| scenery, the fresh air, the exercise. The majority | | | | when playing golf. Keep your head up and feel |
| of golfers are in a similar position in that their | | | | uplifted; allow your head to stay down and you |
| livelihood does not depend upon them holing out | | | | will feel down. |
| on the 18th for a birdie. | | | | The other thing that is really helpful is to not |
| Not all club golfers, however, enjoy their "bad | | | | forget the task in hand. The aim of the game is |
| shots" or respond to them in a positive manner. | | | | to hit the ball with the clubface and move that ball |
| Somehow, a fear of embarrassment or a | | | | forwards in the right direction. As a beginner it |
| competitive nature can get in the way of true | | | | can be really complicated trying to remember |
| enjoyment of the game. I'm not denying that golf | | | | how you are meant to stand, and how your |
| throws up many an opportunity for frustration; | | | | hands are meant to go, and each movement in |
| the game of golf is extremely challenging to one's | | | | the swing, and how far to stand from the ball, |
| emotional stability! | | | | and how high to tee the ball up...and all too easy |
| If you are a beginner at golf, it helps to recognize | | | | to forget that all you need to do is to aim in the |
| that it is a really tricky game to play involving a | | | | right direction and then hit the ball! |
| long club, a small ball and a really large distance to | | | | Golf is a really unique game and well worth the |
| cover. Don't worry about what other people think; | | | | trials and tribulations encountered in its learning. |
| those other golfers started off in exactly the | | | | What other game can you play on your own as |
| same place as you. They understand how that | | | | well as with others, in groups of two, three or |
| club can seem to turn itself into an octopus in | | | | four? And players of all levels can play together |
| your hands and how that ball can get all stubborn | | | | without an individual's game being compromised? |
| and refuse to move in the right direction (if indeed | | | | And people of almost any fitness level and age |
| it decides to move at all). | | | | can enjoy? And be outside in the fresh air? And |
| And remember that you do get better at golf | | | | play on different courses all over the globe? I |
| with practice so do not be disheartened. | | | | could go on and on about the beauty of this |
| Whenever you go to the range or play a few | | | | game but think I've probably said enough! This is a |
| holes there are always a few lovely shots which | | | | very GREAT game. |
| "pop out"; replay these in your mind's eye and | | | | Enjoy your golf! |