| I was so inspired when I read the following quote: | | | | ability to FOCUS on where the ball needs to go. |
| ‘The weather is like golf – things can look | | | | REMEMBER: I have mentioned often in the past |
| bleak, then a break appears in the clouds and | | | | that your actions follow what you last visualized. I |
| everything has changed.’ | | | | wanted to remind you at this point to ensure that |
| So why do we so often carry a bad shot in our | | | | you keep a definite image of where you want |
| minds with us to the next one and possibly the | | | | your ball to land to the exclusion of all other |
| one after that; making sure that the cloud | | | | thoughts. |
| continues on through a good part of the game? | | | | For many of us that little voice in our heads is our |
| This has a lot to do with being able to turn OFF | | | | own worst enemy – believing it to be a friend |
| that irritating mind chatter that can often only | | | | there to protect you from danger – what it |
| serves to reinforce how disappointed you are in | | | | often does, however, is limit your beliefs in your |
| yourself. So I have dedicated this article to turning | | | | ability to achieve that which you desire the most. |
| off negative thinking and clearing space in your | | | | Like a well-meaning parent it will be there to |
| mind to allow your mental state to complement | | | | protect you when you fall – because |
| your physical game. | | | | ‘fall’ is what you will surely do when your |
| If you can learn to turn off negative thinking this | | | | mind is bombarding you with negative opinions |
| will change YOUR GAME OF GOLF FOR THE | | | | about what might go wrong. |
| BETTER FOREVER! | | | | The great thing is though is that you can choose |
| There are many reasons why we have difficulty | | | | to FREE yourself from all this mind chatter. |
| when trying to focus and play in the moment; | | | | It takes time to practice ‘switching off’ |
| often it is our mind chatter that will distract us | | | | your self-talk during these important few seconds. |
| when we need to concentrate the most. It could | | | | This is usually the time that will affect your shot |
| be for a multiple of reasons that our thoughts | | | | the most and it is when your self-talk is most |
| begin to wander away from the task at hand. | | | | likely to be telling you something either distracting |
| One thing for sure is that the biggest obstacle to | | | | or negative. So by trying out some of the |
| achieving an effortless swing is our inability to turn | | | | following tips you can learn to switch off your |
| off that incessant mind chatter when we need to. | | | | mind chatter and focus on making that great |
| How can you possibly find that inner calmness | | | | swing. |
| needed to be in ‘the zone’ if you have | | | | TIPS: Here’s how … look at the following |
| constant thoughts invading your mind? | | | | and see which jumps out at you – go with |
| How would it be to find that ‘OFF’ | | | | your instinct and try out what you instantly feel |
| button; to be able to focus completely to the | | | | would work. But remember to do this during |
| exclusion of everything else going on around you? | | | | practice time or friendly round first. |
| It is difficult in this short space to give you the | | | | 1. You can mentally count through the swing – |
| answers you seek, but let’s create some | | | | at the correct tempo for you i.e. 1,2,3, HIT. |
| awareness and provide a couple of tips to try. | | | | 2. Or you can use a series of words such as |
| For now let’s take a look at this voice in your | | | | FOCUS, SWING, COMMIT…again time this to the |
| head whilst you are on the golf course and take a | | | | correct tempo for your swing. |
| peek at what it is saying to you. | | | | 3. Or you could try and sing or hum to yourself |
| The voice comments – ‘Hey, you are | | | | as you go into your backswing– this will |
| never going to get over that water hazard … | | | | distract your self-talk and make it virtually |
| who are you kidding?’ | | | | impossible for any negative thoughts to creep in. |
| The voice compares – ‘You are never | | | | All these suggestions are designed to help you |
| going to be as good as Dave at golf so why | | | | focus on what is important and to not allow other |
| bother trying?’ | | | | thoughts to creep in to the process. |
| The voice complains – ‘I am fed up of | | | | Let your subconscious take over and help get |
| waiting on every tee, play is so slow it’s | | | | you into the ‘zone’ and be able to focus |
| affecting how I play.’ | | | | fully on the task at hand. It is possible to create |
| The voice judges – ‘What is she wearing, | | | | the right mindset for the few seconds needed to |
| she should know better at her age and on the | | | | focus on where you want that ball to land. |
| golf course as well!’ | | | | REMEMBER: Whichever of the above tips you try |
| The voice has an opinion – ‘I really dislike | | | | you must repeat and repeat so that they |
| it when Janet starts going on about how | | | | become habitual. This is what makes a truly |
| wonderful her son is at everything!’ | | | | productive pre-shot routine. The idea is to make |
| The voice is jumping ahead – ‘If play | | | | the process as automatic as changing the gear on |
| speeds up I will be able to stop at the | | | | your car. |
| supermarket on the way home, pick up | | | | Finally, remember that one bad shot can be |
| something for tea and still be in before the | | | | followed by a fantastic shot – golf is as |
| kids!’ | | | | unpredictable as the weather, as the quote at the |
| The voice is in the past – ‘I remember | | | | start of this article mentions. It is up to you to |
| the last time I played this hole it went straight | | | | create as many cloud-free moments as possible |
| into that bunker to the right of the green’. | | | | by turning off that distracting self-talk. |
| This voice usually isn’t relevant to anything | | | | In the next issue of my newsletter we are going |
| that is going on with your playing your golf shot | | | | to take a look at one of my favourite subjects; |
| – if anything it can be very distracting and | | | | VALUES! Did you know that what we value in life |
| damaging. I think you get the picture! | | | | affects how we play our golf? |
| The problem with any thoughts other than | | | | This is a really fascinating insight into what can |
| focusing on the task in hand is that whilst thinking | | | | take us from zero to completely stressed out |
| about something else this will often carry a mental | | | | whilst playing a round of golf. This is definitely one |
| picture along with it. So if your mind is busy | | | | not to miss. |
| concentrating on getting some shopping on the | | | | In the meantime take advantage of all this lovely |
| way home, what to make for dinner or the next | | | | weather and get yourself off to the driving range |
| sales meeting … it is little wonder how difficult it | | | | or practice greens as confidence in your ability will |
| is to achieve that most important component to | | | | help support a confident mindset. |
| achieving a great shot - a clear mind and the | | | | |