==================================================== Golf Newsletter - Issue 116 Date 10/17/09 ==================================================== ==================================================== TCT Quick Tips - Negative Thinking ==================================================== Negative self-talk is the biggest limitation you will ever give yourself when it comes to playing golf. You need to maintain a "can do" attitude at all times, and be very aware of how you are speaking to your self and what you are saying. NEGATIVE THINKING is the number one GUARANTEE to ruining a great round of golf, so learn to see it when it is coming, and to get rid of it before the damage sets in! ==================================================== Golf Tip: Repeatability Q & A ==================================================== Q: I often lose concentration if I have a couple of bad holes early on in the round. All I want to do then is get around the course as quickly as possible. This puts me in a bad mood for a while as I really look forward to my golf and I build up a feeling of what it will be like playing well, but when I don't play to that standard I beat myself up over it. I personally believe you can over emphasis the importance of having a sound pre shot routine. While this routine should be repeatable, and we can watch the pros doing this until the cows come home, it would be really useful to know what is going through their minds. What do you advise regarding positive thoughts during the pre shot routine? A: The main idea about the repeatability factor is for you to create a subconscious state of mind almost like driving a car. When you first start to learn, every movement is conscious - mirror, signal, etc. But after you have been driving for a while you do not give this any thought as the mind is comfortable with repeating the skill. By making the pre-shot routine the same each and every time you set up to the ball you are creating comfortable, repeatable habits. Obviously, the important thing about this is to make them good habits. Self talk can play a defining role in this process if it is not kept in check. During any pre-shot routine it is important to add a mental trigger or start point that allows the sub-conscious mind to support the actions required to make a good swing. This can vary because different triggers work for different people. An example would be to count your way through your swing to contact with the ball. This kills two birds with one stone by supporting the tempo and negative thoughts are unable to invade the process if you are busy counting. I teach the following mantra: START (this is the trigger word) then..... Target - Ball - Stroke and - Hold The final important point here is to not let your expectations define how you behave following any shot. What has passed is past. Learning to let go, stay task-focused, and move onto the next shot is how to play golf for any amateur or professional. Golf, like life, is all about playing the shots how they lie with every confidence and commitment to that moment - and then moving on - because the only thing you can control once the shot is played is how you react! Enjoy, Tom