Positive Golf Kudos to a Great Golf Ambassador

One of the Positive Golf practices that I regularly recommend to new and experienced players alike is to have a Positive Golf mentor - someone who exhibits strong mental golf skills, smart practice and playing, and an enthusiasm and respect for the game. It may be a playing partner, someone you regularly observe at the course, or a Tour pro that you follow online and on television. In my case, I have been very fortunate to have relatives that have been shining examples of Positive Golf thinking and playing. They have inspired me in my approach to the game and also inspired the attitudes and techniques that I pass along through our books, blog, and website. One of these great mentors, my aunt, Phyllis Semple, passed away recently at age 87. Her impact on me and on literally hundreds of people in the local, regional, and national golf community has been so profound that I am moved to write this Positive Golf kudos to her. I hope it inspires those who read it to find their own Positive Golf mentors and strive to be fully aware and appreciative of their wisdom.

Phyllis Semple was known as "the first lady of golf" in Western Pennsylvania. Her passion was profound and her activities and accomplishments were many. Among her golf titles, she won the Western Pennsylvania Championship six times, the Pennsylvania State Senior Championship twice, a North and South Senior Championship, 16 club championships at Allegheny Country Club, the United States Senior Championship and was captain of the Women's U.S. Amateur team that competed in Portugal in 1976. Additionally, she served with the Women's Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania, was President of the Pennsylvania State Golf Association, was on the board of the Women's Eastern Golf Association and the Women's Western Golf Association. She also was a member of the USGA's Women's Committee for fifteen years and on the USGA's Museum Committee for ten years.

In the midst of these myriad golf activities and accomplishments, what Phyllis Semple was known for on a "day to day" basis was her positive mental attitude and approach. She consistently practiced it for herself and regularly passed it along to others. These are some of the things that really stand out:

1. Her Can-Do Attitude: Phyllis Semple was often heard to say on the practice range and the course, "I can do it." One of the especially great examples of this was two years ago when she made two holes-in-one in the same round (at age 85!) at the St. Andrews Club, a par-3 course in Delray Beach, FL. After the first one, she said to her daughter who was playing with her, "I can do it again." And sure enough, she did! Whenever Phyllis said, "I can do it," she really meant it and she believed it. She also passed this attitude along to others. Many golfers she has known can recount a story when Phyllis inspired them by saying, "I know you can do it," when they were feeling doubtful about an aspect of their game.

2. Her "No Excuses" Approach: Phyllis Semple did not use excuses about anything regarding her practicing and playing - not the weather, age, health, equipment - not anything. She battled lupus for 35 years and did not use that as an excuse in her practicing or playing. When something was off in her game, she took responsibility for it and set out to get to the source of the problem. And when the weather was hot or cool or drizzly and lots of folks stayed home, she would still be at the range or the course (yes, when she was in her eighties). It always made me smile on "inclement" days like that when I drove to the club to practice or play and I would see her car parked there with its "TEERUP" license plate. It was not unusual on those less-than-perfect weather days for she and I to be the only ones at the practice range. And practice we did - no standing around and making excuses about the weather!

3. Her "Always Keep Improving" Approach: Phyllis Semple was perenially dedicated to improving her game. Each year, she had a key element she was working on. Several years ago, when she was about eighty, she was "testing" different grips like "the claw" as she was working on improving her putting. One year it was her drives and another her short game. And she worked on this improvement all year, not just a "burst" at the beginning. Every day she practiced her latest "project" with focus, dedication, and determination. She kept me and others on our toes too. "What are you working on?" she would ask. "Stick with it," she would say later in the season.

Yes indeed, there is no doubt that the attitudes and the games of many golfers in Western Pennsylvania and beyond, myself included, have been enriched by Phyllis Semple. The ripple effects from her positivity will be felt for years to come. I give Positive Golf kudos in abundance to this great golf golf ambassador and great lady.

Here's to great mentors and great golf!

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

A Golf Improvement Question to Ask Yourself - Are You Using "Positive Practice?"

"Positive Practice" is an excellent concept that has helped me experience greater success in my golf improvement. Positive Practice is practice that is organized and focused on specific golf improvement goals rather than just "hitting balls" for an hour or two. What sets it apart is that it has action and direction, like drills and techniques, specifically related to certain goals. Whereas unfocused practice doesn't always lead to change and can actually reinforce incorrect technique, Positive Pracice is more productive and conducive to improvement in the specific areas it is focused upon. You may have heard the term "smart practice" or "practice with a purpose" from prominent teachers like Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott and others. In fact, in their book, "Every Shot Must Have a Purpose," Nilsson and Marriott emphasize that great play begins with thoughtful practice. What I have done is put a positive twist on the "smart practice" idea and incorporated Positive Golf ideas into the practice time to make it mentally focused as well as physically focused. So, along with mechanical drills, I am also tuning in to and tuning up my focus, awareness, confidence, and sense of feel. These are the kinds of things that help make practice time more efficient and effective so you are really making the most of your time on the range and not getting the frustrated feeling later on of "all that practice and I'm still not hitting any better."

My suggestion to you is to ask yourself, "Am I using Positive Practice?" As described in the previous paragraph, this is much more than practicing with a positive attitude. Here are some things to consider when evaluating your practice time and determining if you are indeed using Positive Practice, or "practice with a purpose":

1. When you go to the practice range, do you focus primarily on hitting buckets of balls and strive to slam them as far as you can, OR do you practice different kinds of shots with different clubs, aiming for specific targets?

2. Do you go to the range with the plan of hitting balls for an hour or to keep hitting until you make three perfect shots in a row, OR do you go with the plan to focus on one or two areas of improvement with specific drills for these areas?

3. At the range, do you keep hitting away with the same kind of shots, OR do you challenge yourself to mimic different scenarios out on the course and utilize different shots for each?

The first half of each question indicates a more unfocused approach to practice and the second half indicates a Positive Practice approach. As we begin a new year and in colder climates approach a time of renewed practice activity, I encourage you to take a look at your practice habits and develop a Positive Practice approach. You will gain a lot more from your time at the range, which will help lead to more Positive Golf experiences on the course. For more tips on Positive Practice, you can subscribe to our Positive Golf newsletter - in the last issue we provided a Positive Practice tip for improving balance and solid ball contact. To view archives of our back issues and sign up to receive future issues, just CLICK HERE.

Here's to great golf!

Rick Semple
Positive Golfer
http://www.TheHeartofGolf.com

An Exceptional Example of a Positive Mental Attitude

I like to pass along inspiring stories, videos, and quotes that give a motivational "boost," especially at the beginning of a new year. This clip is about a fellow with an exceptional example of a positive mental attitude. He takes "can-do" to a whole new level and sheds light on the wise old saying, "fall down five times, stand up six." Watch this clip all the way to the very end for a profound perspective on life and golf. It is sure to inspire your own can-do attitude. Remember - something is a limitation only if you believe it is a limitation. It is you choice to rise above it or let it hold you back.

CLICK HERE for some profound inspiration.

Here's to great golf!

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