| What makes golf appear so easy when it really is | | | | affect how you perform for the remainder of the |
| quite challenging?There are few games where you | | | | game, simply because it has the ability to alter |
| actually hit a stationary ball. Beginners often | | | | your state of mind. |
| assume that golf must be an easy game because | | | | What are the thoughts in your head? |
| a carefully contrived formula is used when teeing | | | | Thoughts of your grip position and over-thinking |
| off, using irons, chipping or putting, as opposed to | | | | your stance are diversions that take you away |
| reacting to a ball that is coming in your direction. | | | | from the task at hand. Although having a pre-shot |
| Unfortunately, in the time you have to stand over | | | | routine during practice is instrumental in the |
| the ball your brain gets in the way. When you're | | | | execution of your golf swing, over-thinking the |
| engaged in a tennis game for example, as you | | | | mechanical processes during the actual game is |
| run to hit that forehand top spin, you don't think | | | | detrimental to the flow of the action. It is this |
| about where to exactly place your hands and | | | | uninterrupted flowing movement and a relaxed |
| how you're going to exactly position your feet | | | | mental state that is essential to achieving |
| each time the ball is coming at you. | | | | consistent, positive results on the golf course. So |
| It happens at such a rapid pace - you don't have | | | | the question is, how can you eliminate distractions |
| time to think an awful lot about it during play. | | | | such as nagging thoughts or other negative |
| After learning how to swing the racquet to hit the | | | | influences to improve your game? There are |
| ball effectively, the movements you carry out | | | | several approaches to taking charge of your own |
| during the tennis game become instinctive, natural | | | | mind game, but the first and most important is |
| reactions. Golf is different in that you are given an | | | | learning to accept what you can and cannot |
| opportunity to take time before each shot to | | | | control. |
| narrow your focus and to think about what | | | | Tips |
| you're actually going to do. | | | | |
| Although time to think may seem to make the | | | | 1. Avoid over-thinking your shots, clear the mind |
| game more elementary, it actually creates an | | | | of all the technicalities and concentrate on |
| opening for a series of diversions that contribute | | | | achieving a relaxed mental state each time you |
| to the complexity of the game. As you are | | | | address the ball. |
| standing over the ball, the slightest distraction, | | | | 2. Don't let the discouragement of one bad shot |
| whether it be a sound, or a thought in your head, | | | | carry through to the rest of your game. Think |
| has the potential to seriously affect the outcome | | | | only of your present shot, not what lies ahead, or |
| of your shot. In turn, one bad shot can then | | | | what has already occurred. |