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
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
posted by Rick Semple at 12:35 PM
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