Positive Golf Kudos

This week, I am inspired to give Positive Golf Kudos to Tiger Woods in relation to his winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill. Tiger plays all aspects of the game so brilliantly, but of particular note is the strength of his mental game, which paves the way for the rest of his performance. This week gave us another prime example. As you know, he was tied with Bart Bryant coming in to the 18th hole, a high pressure situation for a golfer of any caliber. In preparing for the shot, it was what Woods thought - which led to what he did - that was so positive, productive, and powerful. Rather than cave in to negative, doubtful thoughts that would lead to tension, tightening, and quickening in his body, Woods kept telling himself, "I've done it before and I can do it again." This is how he described it: "I was so into the moment of the putt going in and winning the golf tournament. I kept telling myself, 'I've done this before.' I did it against Phil. And this time, it's a little bit deeper into the green, and the putt has a little more break, and it has a little more grain. I've done it before and I can do it again." He was referring to Phil Mickelson in 2001, the last time Woods made a birdie on the 72nd hole for a one-shot victory. And as we know, Woods made that 25-foot "miracle putt" at Bay Hill for a one-shot victory.

"I did it before and I can do it again" is a perfect example of utilizing the mental practice of remembering the good shots to help boost your confidence, something I referred to in my previous posting. The mental techniques that Woods uses are not, in and of themselves, "miraculous" or reserved for the "upper echelon." They are techniques that every golfer can use. The key is that Woods utilizes them so consistently and with such feeling and belief. He sets a superb example for utilizing Positive Golf mental practices that lead to outstanding Positive Golf experiences. Kudos to Tiger and kudos to all who strive to practice positive mental skills with diligence, belief, and enthusiasm!

Here's to great golf!

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

Positive Golf Tip - Remember the Good Shots

In my posting on January 1, 2008, I shared the "Primary Positive Mental Habit" that I had selected for extra practice in the coming year, and that is "Improve my golf self-image." I promised to give some ideas and tips that helped me in my practice throughout the season. Today, I'm sharing a tip from our forthcoming Positive Golf Handbook. The tip actually appears in the section of the book on Reducing Self-Doubt, but it is just as helpful for Improving Golf Self-Image (which has a lot to do with reducing self-doubt!). Here's the tip as it appears in the book. This is something that you can begin to practice right now when you are on and off the course. It really is the "little" things like this, when practiced consistently, that add up in a BIG way to boost confidence, self-image, and your entire golf mindset. Try it out...

Remember the Good Shots---

Confidence is invariably rooted in prior experiences, so we need something to draw on. - Dr. Gio Valiante in FEARLESS GOLF

A quality of successful golfers who practice mental habits that cultivate, rather than diminish, confidence, is that they remember the good shots and focus on these successes, rather than dwell on failures. So, it is not only that they positively interpret and "frame" obstacles and mistakes in a productive way, but it is also what they give focus and attention to as they move forward. The key is that successful golfers look at these mistakes in a productive way and learn from them, then they move on. Rather than continually looking back at these mistakes and filling themselves with fear and doubt, they focus on remembering the good shots they have hit, especially in challenging situations, and this gives them the powerful memory of success to draw upon. As the quote by sports psychologist Gio Valiante given above indicates, you need something positive to draw upon to help fuel confidence and the can-do attitude, and remembering the good shots (rather than the bad ones) does just that.

In the book EVERY SHOT MUST HAVE A PURPOSE, authors Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott tell us that, "One obstacle we all must overcome is that it is easier to remember our bad shots than it is to remember our good ones. Strangely, we all seem to have a tendency to not put enough value on what we do right..." If you are striving to reduce self-doubt and build confidence for you golf game, it is vital that you practice making it easier to remember the good shots and allowing these images to strengthen your belief in your ability to play golf. Here are some positive pointers to help you:

1. Consciously practice filling your memory bank with images and feelings of good shots. When you make a good one, tell yourself, "I'm going to remember that one."

2. Practice recalling your "good shot memories" as you drive to the course and prepare to play. Remind yourself, "I have the ability to make good shots."

3. Practice recalling your "good shot memories" when you are in a situation on the course where you feel fear, pressure, doubt, anxiety, or tension. Remind yourself, "I have the ability to make good shots."

4. After a mis-hit or errant shot, practice a positive interpretation of it and determine what you have learned that will help you move forward. Then, instead of dwelling on what you did wrong, practice recalling some "good shot memories" and remind yourself, "I have the ability to make good shots."

5. When you get to a point on the course where you recall making a mistake in a prior round, recall some good shot memories related to this same kind of shot and remind yourself, "I can make great golf shots. I can do this!"

Here's to a great golf mindset and a great game!

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