Positive Golf Tip for Kids Golf ---

Here's an item that my wife came across when she was looking back at the June 2007 issue of GOLF magazine:

In an article about Johnny Miller, by John Garrity, Steve Gregoire commented on the positive, encouraging way Johnny's dad spoke to his son when he was a youngster learning the game. (Gregoire was team captain of the junior golf team that Miller played on in his youth at San Francisco's Olympic Club.) Gregoire said that Johnny's dad always called him "Champ." "There was never a negative word. If Johnny hit a bad shot, his dad would praise his setup or something. By the time he was 12, Johnny believed hook, line and sinker that he was going to be a champion."

This is a great example of the value and impact of speaking positive, supportive "golf talk" to kids to help instill confidence and a can-do attitude. It's a good habit (used by many successful coaches too) to praise something even when the kids hit an errant shot. Focusing solely on an error instills the habit of focusing on the negative. "Blending" in a supportive correction along with praise for the proper moves helps to accentuate the positive and goes a long way in cultivating confidence. Never underestimate the power of praise for kids (and for yourself!).

Here's to great golf!

Rick Semple
Positive Golfer
Co-Founder,
TheHeartofGolf.com

Positive Golf Inspiring Story - Two Holes in One in the Same Round

In January 2007, we posted our first in an ongoing series of Positive Golf Inspiring Stories, and today we are going to share another. These stories are about people who have achieved something extraordinary in golf by using the type of positive mental ideas and attitudes that we promote through TheHeartofGolf.com. They show us what is possible with focus, belief, and positivity. Our first story was about a local professional who shot his age in competition - a 59 at 59. Our next story is about a woman who is what Dr. Norman Vincent Peale refers to as "a possibilitarian." Here's why...

It happened this past winter and people are still talking about it and offering their congratulations. On February 4, 2007, Phyllis Semple - Rick's Aunt Phyllis - made two holes in one in the same round at the fourth and 10th holes at the St. Andrews Club in Delray Beach, Fla. As any golfer knows, it is a rare and exciting occurrence to record one hole in one in the same round, but TWO is quite extraordinary. And it is quite remarkable to do it at age 85. But then again, Phyllis Semple is a remarkable woman with a competitive spirit and a can-do attitude that never quits.

Over the years, Phyllis Semple has won the women's club championship many times at her home course, Allegheny Country Club in Sewickley, PA. She has also won the Pennsylvania Women's Amateur and Senior Championships and the Women's Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania Championship six times. In addition, she has also recorded four holes in one in her lifetime - two at Allegheny and two at Gulf Stream Golf Club in Delray Beach, her home course in the winter. While her last hole in one was in 1967, Phyllis has continued to play with the same determination and fervor in every practice and every round for the last 40 years, including that grand day at the St. Andrews Club.

The morning of February 4th, Phyllis attended a speech in Delray Beach given by her daughter, Carol Semple Thompson, who is a former U.S. and British Women's Amateur champion and a two-time U.S. Curtis Cup captain. During the Q&A section of the program, Carol responded to a question about visualization, self-talk, self hypnosis, and other mental golf techniques, and she described how these had helped her over the years, including the practice of them in preparation for the National Amateur which she went on to win. Interestingly enough, it was that afternoon after that speech when Carol and her mother played the round at the St. Andrews Club and Carol witnessed her mother make the two holes in one.

Was there a link for Phyllis between listening to Carol's inner game and making the "two aces" thereafter? Perhaps. What we do know is this: Aunt Phyllis has a perennially positive attitude. When playing in matches, she frequently marks her ball with a smiley face, "so that I remember to think positive thoughts even when I make a shot I don't like," she tells us. Phyllis sees life as full of possibilities rather than impossibilities, and she makes it a habit to focus on what she can do rather that what she can't do. Carol said this to a reporter from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette about her mother's attitude on the course the day of her great accomplishment: After her first one, she said, 'I can do it again.' And sure enough, she did. When friends at Allegheny Country Club heard the news about the two holes in one, they responded with acceptance rather than disbelief because they have been touched by Phyllis' can-do attitude.

According to the records, the oldest woman to record a hole in one is Elsie McLean in Chico, Calif. who was 102 when she made the amazing accomplishment earlier in 2007. Golf Digest reports that there have been 28 instances of a player recording two holes in one in the same round. But, there is no record listed for the oldest person to get TWO holes in one in the same round. We're not sure if Phyllis Semple's feat at age 85 will be entered in the record books because St. Andrews Club is a par-3 course and not a regulation course, which typically has between four and six par 3s. Whether it is in the "official" record books or not, it is a "feat extraordinaire," and we consider it a shining example of Positive Golf and Aunt Phyllis a stellar ambassador of the game.

And in case you wonder if Phyllis Semple is taking it easy after her two-holes-in-one-in-the-same-round accomplishment, we can assure you she is not. She can still be seen regularly on the practice tee at Allegheny, trying new moves to improve her putting and her swing. And within days of the posting of this story, she and her grandson placed first in an event at Allegheny. Phyllis Semple continues to show us that if you believe it and practice it, there are no limits to what positive thinking can do for you in golf and in life.

Here's to great golf!

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

Positive Golf Tip - Don't Limit Yourself With Limiting Beliefs!

Thanks to our Positive Golf friend David for sharing this with us. David tells us he has been playing "better than ever" using tips he has learned from our books and our blog. When playing recently, someone in the foursome remarked to David that he was "feeling old" and his game was "really suffering" due to his age. "You are playing so much better than me because you are so much younger," he said to David. David asked him, "How old are you?" "66," the fella told him. When David respond that his age was actually 67, the guy's jaw dropped. David doesn't focus on the limiting belief that he is "getting old," you see, and it shows in his appearance and his golf game. His focus is on visualizing great shots, feeling a smooth swing motion, and enjoying the game. He believes in his ability and potential to play great golf and that is what fuels his game, rather than thinking and talking about "being old." It is an inspired approach to golf (and to life) and a good example of the importance and power of our thoughts.

Here's to great thoughts and great golf!

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