Mental Aspects Of Golf

Golf is a Christmas tradition

My family has this tradition that happens every Christmas.  We all love golf and we rarely get together any other time of year so we play golf on Christmas day.  That sounds great if you are from California or Arizona but my family is from Iowa.  It does make the tradition a little more challenging.  We play in the snow, rain, ice, or whatever.  It doesn't matter.  I can't even begin to describe the fun.  A christmas tradition that can go anywhere we go.  We play in Michigan, Missouri and Colorado.  We simply adjust to the conditions and use orange balls or sometimes we have to use different types of balls so they stay on top of the snow.  There is no excuse for not playing.  Have a great holiday season and try golfing, it sure works for my family.

Fat Man Golfing

Ok, so I'm fat.  Does that mean I shouldn't be able to enjoy golf.  I have been made fun of by all my buddies for my swing.  I had to adapt my swing a bit due to a sudden weight gain.  I love golf and I am not about to give it up.  In my previous skinny life I was quite a golfer.  I could drive about 300 yards consistently and I was dead on with my irons.  Now that I have gained some weight I have had to make some modifications to my swing that makes me look pretty funny to others.   I don't care....  I currently have a difficult time seeing my balls when I tee off or putt.   It's not just my balls that I am having trouble seeing but that's another story.  To fix my problem I had to take a step back away from my ball, ok, maybe two steps.  This caused me to lean over more with my stance which caused my swing to change drastically.  I also had to get a little longer driver.  What I have found is that I can hit the balls straighter than I ever have.  I don't have the power I once had but I can hit the fairway 70% of the time.  My putting was the other big challenge I faced. I have gotten a longer putter and I stand back a little farther also.  It provides a different angle when putting but  I have learned to adjust.  I guess the moral of the story is that no matter what size your body is or what changes you go through, you can always find a way to see your balls, you may need to make some adjustments but that is just part of the game.  Have a great one. 

Golf in the Zone

Everybody talks about getting into the zone.  A zone foucs for golf is completely different than a zone focus for other sports.  Many athletes think that the only way to have a zone focus is to get and stay focused for an entire round.  That my friend is impossible.  The average person can stay focused for 6-10 seconds.  If you can work your way up to a few minutes you can play golf in the zone.  The key to playing golf in the zone is being able to refocus when you need to.  Not to stay in the zone for an entire round.  Your zone focus should start during your pre-shot routine and hopefully last until you hit the ball.  After that, you need to be able to let go and relax.  There are some tips and techniques which help you expand your focus time but don't try to focus for an entire round.  It will only give you a headache and cause a great deal of unnecessary worry.  Good luck and happy golfing.

The Making of a Champion

I had a high school kid walk into my office about 3 months ago and say "I want to make the pro tour".  I asked him when he wanted this to happen and he said point blank, "in two years".  I asked him what his current handicap was and he said, "12".

Instead of laughing at him or making some comment that assumed my personal doubt I said, "Ok, how much time and work are you willing to devote to this goal?"  He replied "as much as it takes".

I started by teaching him the mental aspects of golf along with a very rigorous exercise program.  He practices his different physical aspects of his game for 2-4 hours a day and then he practices the mental aspects another hour a day.  He has taken his training serious and he is already playing better than he has ever played before.  In the short three months (winter) we have worked together he has raised his confidence level to that of a top athlete.  He is able to focus better than any athlete I have ever worked with and he can relax on commad within 10 seconds.  This kid went out the other day and shot a 72 on a difficult course.  It was the best score he had ever shot and he said that he could have done better if he could have visualized his shots better.  He stated "In april I will be shooting in the 60's consistently."  He has no doubts and that is precisely what it takes to be a champion.

The routine he has agreed to follow is not your typical routine.  He wants to be a champion and he is willing to put in the time and effort to make it happen. He is serious about his physical training as well as his mental training.  This situation is one that is inspiring to anyone who has a dream and who has the dedication and guts to make their dream come true.  He was not even in contention when he started 3 months ago and now his dream is becoming a reality.   He has a long way to go before he reaches the tour but from what I have seen so far, there are no doubts, he will make it.  It is very humbling when we see someone that wants something so bad that they are willing to do anything to make it come true.  He is my true inspiration. 

Winter Golf

So, now that winter has hit in most of the country I was wondering if any of you are dreaming of those gorgous days on the course.  Believe it or not you can still improve your game while the snow is on the ground.  Winter provides the perfect opportunity to practice the aspects of the game that few people spend much time on.  Focus, relaxation, visual imagery, and confidence. 

Take a few minutes and ask yourself the following questions.  Do you have the ability to relax when you need to?  Do you feel confident in your game?  Can you visualize your shots before you hit them?  These are some of the skills that seperate the good golfers from the great golfers.  If you have never gave much thought to improving your game by changing how you think you might want to give it a try.  Especially when its snowing outside and all you are left with is your thoughts. 

Sports psychologist work with most professional golfers to help them move to the next level.  What are you waiting for.  You have nothing but time during the winter and wouldn't it be great to start the season with confidence and skills that can change your game totally.  Good luck and feel free to contact me with any questions or connections. 

Jeff Miner

816-812-7481

Golfing In the Zone

I can't tell you how many golfers have asked me how they can stay focused for an entire round of golf.  Many of them say they can get focused and stay focused for several holes but after they make a bad shot they lose their concentration.  It is a well known fact that you can't possibly stay focused for an entire round.  The average person can focus their attention for 4-10 seconds.  If you are good you can get that time up to 30-40 seconds.  Which is about the amount of time necessary for a pre-shot routine and shot.  The key to focus isn't how long you can stay focused, it is about refocus.  Being able to enjoy the day, relax and have some fun, and then refocus when you approach the shot.  A zone focus is about the ability to get there when you need to.  There are several tricks to getting into a zone focus that I will talk about in a later blog.  Good luck getting into the zone and remember, It's not about how long, but how fast.

The Fear of Getting Better, Mentally

Why is it that whenever we talk about the mental aspects of anything, people (mainly men) are intimidated about learning something new.  In general, we are not born with the gifts that are required to perform at elite levels.  Almost anybody can learn the perfect swing, stance, follow-through but what is it that really separates the good from the great.  It all comes down to the mental.  I know that is scary.  It was scary for me when I realized that I couldn't focus, or relax.  It was scary when I finally admitted that I let one shot ruin an entire round.  I personally had to admit that I wasn't the sharpest tool in the toolshed.  Well, once I decided to actually improve my game mentally it changed my golfing world.  I met with a sports psychologist weekly for 10 weeks.  I brought my handicap down by 8 stokes and I never stepped on the course.  Accept it or not, golf is 90% - 95% mental, and no matter how much or how hard you practice your physical game, you are never going to take your game to the next level without learning the mental aspects of the golf.  So, come on tough guy.  If Tiger uses a mental coach, why shouldn't you.

The Law of Golf

I have been working with some lawyers on how to use golf in their business.  Most of them are new lawyers trying to gain access to high dollar clients or they are making other types of business connections.  The responses that I am receiving are very interesting.

"People don't want to talk about legal issues when they are golfing"      

"Well, yeah"  I then went on to talk with the group about the etiquette of golf.  Not the rules, but how to do business on the course.  On the course you rarely talk about business issues.  The course is where they size you up to see if they want to do business with you.  They are looking for the cut of your jib.  Do you play by the rules, do you know the etiquette.  The business of golf is a game of stratagey.  How you play the game will determine how you run your business. 

GOLF YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS

Have you ever stopped to think about the skills that you use in golf to become more successful are the exact same skills that it takes to be successful in life.  Lets make some comparisons.  If you are able to focus on the moment, do you think that will assist you in climbing the coorporate ladder or completing a major project.  What about relaxing on command?  If you can completely relax your body before a shot wouldn't the same principles work before a big presentation or when you are meeting some of the top execs.  Visual imagery is seeing yourself making the perfect swing, or seeing where you want your ball to go.  Wouldn't that same concept work when working on a project or planning out a business meeting.  Golf is the metaphore for life.  You can often tell how successful a person is in their careers, their marriages, and their life just by seeing how well they play golf.  It isn't a matter of physical skills or ability.  Its a matter of focus, relaxation and visualizing your outcomes.  Recommendation: take your golf and your life to the next level.  It's worth every penny.

Golf is the sport that lives!!!

What other sport can so many people play into their old age.  You go to any retirment village and 90 percent of the residents are playing golf.  What a sport.  Last month I played with a blind golfer and I got beat.  This guy was incredible. 

People from all ages and all economic statuses can go down the street to the public course and play golf.  People that are intimidated when they go out on the course need to play a few rounds with my grandmother.  She goes out, has a great time, and shoots well into the high 170's. After each shot she laughs and said "that could have been worse".  Does she care about winning.  No, she loves to be out with her friends having a good time. After all.  Isn't it all about getting out there and enjoying your friends and the beautiful day.  Although most golfers want to get better, golfing is more about relationships and happiness.  Think about grandma the next time you are on the course getting upset with yourself.  She'll put a smile on your face.