Positive Golf Improvement Project Update II

Recently, I posted an update and tips related to the Positive Golf Improvement Project I had chosen for this year (see May 12, 2008 posting). This post is for the purpose of giving an update and tips related to the projects chosen by my wife, which were first shared here in January 2008. As a refresher, here they are:

Positive Golf Improvement Project: To develop a smooth, repeatable chip shot and consistently chip the ball within ten feet of the hole.

Primary Positive Mental Habit for Improvement: Improve "Golf Self-Talk," or that "inner dialogue" or "inner conversation" that goes on in your mind when you are playing, and may also be expressed out loud. The goal is to give particular attention and consistent practice to changing and improving this mental skill so it is more constructive and helps rather than hinders the Positive Golf mindset.

Christy is making progress in both projects, thanks to persistent mental and physical practice, including some technical tips she got at a recent "Short Swing" Clinic she participated in at our club. Here are some tips and reminders she has been practicing in her "blended" mental/physical approach to making positive improvements in her game this year:

Mental Practice #1: Practice positive reminders as part of "golf self-talk," including the following: I AM making progress in my swing improvement, and I DO have the ability to chip the ball well.

Mental Practice #2: Practice putting less pressure on myself in my "golf self-talk." For example, stop telling myself, "I should be playing as well or better than her," or "I have to swing better than this, I have to swing better than this..." (an old, negative mantra I didn't realize I was repeating so much!)

Mental Practice #3: Practice reminding myself, I don't have to try so hard. (i.e. I don't have to use so much effort!).

Physical Practice #1: Lighten the grip pressure.

Physical Practice #2: Slow down the swing. Don't hit at the ball!

Physical Practice #3: Keep the hands forward in the follow through. Don't "flick" the wrist in an effort to hit at the ball.

Physical Practice #4: Practice, practice, practice the short swing. This will help with all of my shots, including chipping.

These are the "small," nuts-and-bolts mental and physical steps that really add up and make big differences in having Positive Golf experiences! Have you picked a Positive Golf Improvement Project and/or Primary Mental Habit for Improvement this year? If so, let us know what it is and what positive ideas and techniques have been helpful to your progress. We welcome your comments...

Here's to great golf!

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

Positive Golf Kudos

This week, our Positive Golf Kudos go to both Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate for their splendid display of great golf, both mental and physical, at the U.S. Open. Woods and Mediate each maintained an impressive and non-wavering determination to stay-the-course, despite circumstances that could potentially distract and veer them away from the situation at hand - Tiger, with a knee that kept "reminding" him it wasn't healed, and Mediate, who was faced with what most would call the world's most daunting opponent. Each expemplified a Positive Golf approach in their own unique way. Tiger, with his incredible resolve and supreme concentration, topped off with a classy, "That was a good fight," to Mediate after it was all over. And Mediate, who fearlessly rolled with the punches and kept focusing on the task at hand and absolutely enjoyed every minute of the experience. And finally, when it was all over, after losing to Tiger on the first playoff hole, still looking at the event with a positive perspective saying, "I can't really complain. I did my best," with a genuine smile and sincerity. It was a great day for each of them, a great day for the fans, and a great day for golf. And both Tiger and Mediate serve as great examples of the Positive Golf approach for other golfers who play once a day, once a week, or once a summer.

Here's to great golf!

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

US Wins Sixth Consecutive Curtis Cup

It didn't get much media coverage, but it was a very impressive win nonetheless. In the midst of traditional Scottish rain, wind and chilly temperatures, and on a course where they had limited experience, Stacy Lewis and Alison Walshe went undefeated to lead the squad from the United States to a 13-7 victory over Great Britain and Ireland at the 2008 Curtis Cup Match, which concluded Sunday at the Old Course at St. Andrews.

It was the sixth consecutive win for the Americans in the Match, which features an eight-woman amateur squad from the USA against one representing England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland and Wales.

The Americans were led by Captain Carol Semple Thompson, who has played in a record 12 Curtis Cups and is a seven-time USGA champion. Semple Thompson had this to say about her team: "All credit to my players. They did a great job. They just stayed in there and finished strongly." (Positive Golf kudos to that!)

I share this news with a sense of pride for the US and for our women golfers in general, who don't always get the attention and coverage that is much deserved. I learn a lot by watching the women play, and I know others (men and women) can too. Plus, I do have a sense of family pride as well since Carol Semple Thompson is my cousin. CLICK HERE for details and photos from this great victory for Carol and the squad.

Here's to great golf!

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