Tips for a Consistent Game
With Tiger's win of the FedEx Cup title, there has been a lot of talk this past week about the value of consistency in playing the game. It's important to remember that at the heart of playing consistently is a consistent mental game, which includes the consistent use of positive mental practices. This is a fact that is simple in its truth, but not easy in its application. Even Tiger has had some "blips" in using his positive mental practices now and then, which is reflected in his game, but the key is that he gets himself on track again and gets back on the road of consistent good thinking and playing.
The question from a lot of recreational golfers who are still building their "mental muscle" to support their physical game is this: What can I do to build a consistent mental golf mindset that inspires consistency on the course? There are a few key practices that can help you with this by getting you in the mode of doing some positive things regularly and naturally. Here they are:
1. Practice a positive mental pre-shot routine for every shot. Do this for every shot in every round, not sporadically when you feel pressure, are trying to make a difficult shot, or are trying not to be angry or frustrated.
2. Regularly use a positive "mantra." This is a short phrase or affirmation that you regularly repeat silently to yourself that helps you think affirmatively about a certain aspect of your game. An example is "light is right" regarding grip pressure. (See my blog posting from July 17, 2009 for more details.)
3. Regularly use one or two key swing thoughts. Stick with one or two swing thoughts, rather than bombarding yourself with too many and then getting overwhelmed or burned out from trying to remember too much. Repeat these swing thoughts to yourself regularly throughout each round.
4. Practice the regular use of one or two key positive words. Pick one or two positive words, such as "can" and "will," to incorporate into your positive golf language, and practice the regular, consistent use of these throughout each round.
5. Regularly remind yourself to focus on the target and the shot at hand. Do this by asking yourself before every shot, "What is my target?" and "What is my strategy to reach that target?" This can get you to habitually orient your thinking away from distractions and toward the target and the shot at hand. This is an essential element of the laser-like focus Tiger is famous for and it is something that every golfer, from weekend player to professional, can do.
Following regular practices like these helps build "mental muscle" and gets your mindset "warmed up" and "conditioned" for additional positive, productive thinking that supports a consistent game.
Here's to great golf!
Rick Semple
Positive Golfer and
Co-founder
TheHeartofGolf.com
http://www.TheHeartofGolf.com
The question from a lot of recreational golfers who are still building their "mental muscle" to support their physical game is this: What can I do to build a consistent mental golf mindset that inspires consistency on the course? There are a few key practices that can help you with this by getting you in the mode of doing some positive things regularly and naturally. Here they are:
1. Practice a positive mental pre-shot routine for every shot. Do this for every shot in every round, not sporadically when you feel pressure, are trying to make a difficult shot, or are trying not to be angry or frustrated.
2. Regularly use a positive "mantra." This is a short phrase or affirmation that you regularly repeat silently to yourself that helps you think affirmatively about a certain aspect of your game. An example is "light is right" regarding grip pressure. (See my blog posting from July 17, 2009 for more details.)
3. Regularly use one or two key swing thoughts. Stick with one or two swing thoughts, rather than bombarding yourself with too many and then getting overwhelmed or burned out from trying to remember too much. Repeat these swing thoughts to yourself regularly throughout each round.
4. Practice the regular use of one or two key positive words. Pick one or two positive words, such as "can" and "will," to incorporate into your positive golf language, and practice the regular, consistent use of these throughout each round.
5. Regularly remind yourself to focus on the target and the shot at hand. Do this by asking yourself before every shot, "What is my target?" and "What is my strategy to reach that target?" This can get you to habitually orient your thinking away from distractions and toward the target and the shot at hand. This is an essential element of the laser-like focus Tiger is famous for and it is something that every golfer, from weekend player to professional, can do.
Following regular practices like these helps build "mental muscle" and gets your mindset "warmed up" and "conditioned" for additional positive, productive thinking that supports a consistent game.
Here's to great golf!
Rick Semple
Positive Golfer and
Co-founder
TheHeartofGolf.com
http://www.TheHeartofGolf.com
Labels: mental golf, positive mental habits
posted by Rick Semple at 7:42 PM
