"Mission Accomplished" at the US Open ---

One of my key missions at Oakmont was to watch Aaron Baddeley's golf swing. When I read about his swing method in the June 2007 issue of Golf Digest, I thought it was the best idea I had ever seen in a golf publication. I immediately began to work with it, and I experienced good results right away. It was a real bonus when Aaron got all that television coverage as the tournament leader on Saturday. Johnny Miller tells it like he sees it, and he really liked this golf swing!

A number of tour players are already converts to this so-called "Stack and Tilt" approach. The huge opportunity, however, is for the recreational golfing public. This concept squarely addresses the number one "need" of most players - more consistent, solid ball contact. If you missed the article and would like to learn more, simply Google the key words "stack and tilt." The Golf Digest article is available online, as is discussion on the subject in various golf forums. The information and illustrations contained in the article should give you plenty to work with.

"Badds" has definitely got something immensely "good" going for him. Stack and tilt may sound way out, but the idea is fundamentally sound and in my opinion is very "doable" for virtually everyone. I think it's wonderful stuff, yet regardless of what anyone says, testing it yourself is the only way to find out if its good for you. Happy swinging...

Rick Semple
Positive Golfer
Co-Founder,
TheHeartofGolf.com
http://www.theHeartofGolf.com

More comments on the US Open ---

Angel Cabrera's victory was a great achievement. The guy showed a lot of moxie coming down the stretch to win his first major. I first saw him in person a few years ago on the practice tee at The Masters. I was so impressed with his golf swing that I ended up watching him hit balls for 45 minutes. Aside from the tournament highlights, this was the most memorable part of my Masters weekend.

The main subject of this post concerns the two runners up, Tiger and Jim Furyk. From watching these players intently for four days - some in person, mostly on television - I got the sense more than ever before of why they rise to the top in major championships. Pure talent, especially in Tiger's case, is certainly a factor, but it's their mental attitude which makes the difference. This is solely my opinion, but I sensed that these two players were, perhaps more so than everyone else, completely "into the game." That is, their sole focus was on playing every shot to the best of their ability, irrespective of the other actions around them. They seem to be able to take the energy of the event and channel it into their own performance. I could see it in their eyes, in their mannerisms, and how they spoke. Yes, they both came up just short and were most disappointed, but they also left Oakmont knowing that they had given it their best shot, and therefore had no regrets. Both Jim and Tiger said as much in their post game interviews, and this sense of accomplishment reflected on their faces as Cabrera accepted the trophy.

Winning is important, but what's most important is a winning attitude. Both Woods and Furyk understand that they have no control over the action of others. This thinking has penetrated to the core of their belief system. They spend their time riveted on what they alone can do - being the best they can be day in and day out - which to me is the real definition of a "winner."

Here's to great golf!

Rick Semple
Positive Golfer
Co-Founder,
TheHeartofGolf.com
http://www.TheHeartofGolf.com

Mental Golf Tips From the US Open ---

True to tradition, the Open was an exciting and challenging event. I had a particular interest in it this year since it was held in my own "backyard" of Pittsburgh. I did go to Oakmont to watch the action live one day and also watched a lot of television coverage. Up close, the course looked magnificent, and I must say that the organization and logistics were handled superbly. When viewing both live and on television, I kept my eyes and ears open for great examples of mental practices, excellent mechanical technique, and the optimum blending of the two. Here are a few inner game "nuggets" of interest:

1. Focus on what you DO want, not what you don't want. One of the most talked-about developments was Phil Mickelson's extensive practice in hitting out of the deep rough. Phil was determined to be prepared for Oakmont's notorious deep rough. He focused and practiced so hard to prepare for the problem that he developed a sore wrist. As you know, he ultimately did end up experiencing some problems with his game on Friday to the point that he didn't make the cut. Phil put so much effort and energy into preparing for problems that that's what he got - problems. Johnny Miller commented on the situation, saying "Why would anybody do that (prepare so much to get ready for a problem)? When asked earlier in the week if he was going to practice in the deep rough, Tiger said, "I don't want to go in there when I play. I'm not going to practice going in there. I'm not even going to think about it." This is a great illustration of a fundamental tenet of mental golf - focus on what you DO want. The more focus, energy, and emotion you put into the opposite of what you want (i.e. what you don't want, like problems in the deep rough), the more you are paving the way for that to happen. A focused problem-oriented mindset leads to problem experiences. Some practice shots in different areas of the course are one thing, but determinably preparing for the worst will inevitably bring it right to you.

2. Stay patient. Another illustration of note was Bubba Watson's hasty shot on the ninth hole. Those times when the going does get "rough," it helps to practice patience. On the ninth, Bubba couldn't get the ball from the thick rough on the left edge, and his pitch shot traveled just a few feet into more scruffy rough, with the pin just a few dozen feet away. Rather than calming down and preparing for another difficult shot, Watson hastily hit a pop fly that carried across the green, stopping farther from the flag than he was to start with. He ended up with a triple bogey on the hole. One of the commentator's noted that, "patience is {Bubba's} Achille's heel." One of the article headlines read, "Bubba's Lack of Patience Costs Him the Lead." It noted that Woods, who often shares an early morning practice session with Watson, constantly reminds him to be patient. While it may be tough to do sometimes, staying patient is a great skill that keeps you mentally on track and leads to a lot more positive golf experiences.

3. Believe in yourself. Angel Cabrera surprised a lot of people with his win, but the thing is, he didn't surprise himself. One article noted that despite his long success on the European Tour, he had only three wins there and was considered something of an "underachiever." When asked about his, Cabrera said, "I felt like a winner." Jimmy Roberts had a couple of interesting remarks about Cabrera. At one point he said, "Cabrera had a good comeback after two bogeys. You didn't think he had it altogether? Think again." Later, Roberts said, "Cabrera is oblivious to people saying he's not a good closer." No matter what was going on around him, on the inside Cabrera "felt like a winner." He believed in himself. He stuck with those thoughts and beliefs through thick and thin this past week, and it took him to the top. He sure inspired me!

This is all good "inner food for thought" that you can digest and use to make your next golf experience a positive one.

Here's to great golf!

Rick Semple
Positive Golfer
Co-Founder,
TheHeartofGolf.com
http://www.TheHeartofGolf.com

Positive Golf Tip for Summer Reading ---

As you are putting together your summer reading list of golf titles, mystery titles, and fun titles, here are some titles of books on personal enrichment. Some of them are long-time classics and some are newer classics. All of them can help you develop understanding, skills, and a positive, success-oriented mindset that can give a boost to your golf game and other aspects of life. The relaxed atmosphere of summer is a great time to read about inspiring self improvement ideas and real-life stories and try out some of the new mental techniques on the course. That's how I got started on the mental golf path and it has made all the difference. Check these out:

The Power of Motivation, by Michael Bolduc
Acres of Diamonds, by Russell Conwell
The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, by Stephen R. Covey
He Can Who Thinks He Can, by Orison Swett Marden (founder of Success Magazine)
On Success, by Earl Nightingale
The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale
How to Live a Prosperous Life, by Catherine Ponder
Principles of Success, by Brian Tracy

There is a great book website that specializes in titles like these. Most of them are available in e-book format for immediate download for as little as $7.95. A lot of them are available as audio books as well. CLICK HERE to check it out.

Happy reading!

Rick Semple
Positive Golfer
Co-Founder,
TheHeartofGolf.com
http://www.TheHeartofGolf.com