Masters Provides Plenty of Positive Golf Ideas

This year's Masters provided plenty of splendid examples of positive physical and mental skills at work. We saw a marvelous display of a smooth, effortless swing from Schwartzel, as well as from Fred Couples and Adam Scott. Each of these players has a strong mindset of allowing the flow of the natural swing motion and it shows in the smooth flow of their respective swings which appear as effortless yet powerful. Watching each of them in action is a great reminder of the value of the simple but profound golf wisdom that tells us to avoid thinking about hitting at the ball and instead think about allowing the natural swing motion to happen. It is likely that the mindsets of these great players with the beautiful effortless swings, and other players with such great swings, is not filled with distracting thoughts about exertion and effort but rather thoughts that are focused on smoothness and flow, and also a great awareness of the feel of the swing in all parts of the body. Watching these players and thinking about the lessons learned in observing them reminded me of a remark made by Michael McTeague, PGA Teaching Professional in the book The Keys to the Effortless Golf Swing: "My teaching experience indicates that the hit impulse - the automatic tendency to strike at the ball - is the foremost reason why so few golfers break 80 in their lifetimes."

There were a few other mental golf ideas that stood out for me when watching the Masters coverage, including:

1. The incredible value of the mental skill of persistence, displayed quite notably by Charl Schwartzel, and also by Adam Scott and Jason Day. We heard about Schwartzel's persistence in his practice and preparation for the Masters and then we observed his persistence in action as he played with a quiet calmness, confidence, and consistency. He "stayed the course," so to speak, and persisted in his mental and physical approach to the game in the midst of intense pressure. The same can be said for Scott and Day, who both displayed admirable persistence to the very end.

2. The importance of "playing your own game" and not allowing yourself to be distracted by common beliefs like "it's a game for 'the kids'." There was a lot of talk about the younger players prevailing, with implications that they would dominate and "older" players would be surpassed. It was interesting how some of the "older" players, like Couples, Choi, and Woods stayed strong and "in the mix." While they each likely have some thoughts about age, they do not appear to have allowed it to dominate their mindsets to the extent that they are convinced they can't play as well as the younger players. The challenges experienced by McIlroy on the last day are a prime example that being a young player who can hit it a mile does not guarantee you will win. It is a blend of mental and physical skills that are applied persistently and consistently through thick and thin to the very end, whatever your "calendar age," that really makes the difference.

3. You've heard it said that it really helps when you allow yourself to enjoy the game, and I thought this was perfectly illustrated by Adam Scott and Jason Day. Each of them expressed afterward on Sunday how much they had truly enjoyed playing that day, and it showed in their respective games. It's really true that the sense of enjoyment helps to establish a positive, productive mental atmosphere that fosters the growth of additional positive mental attitudes and contributes to more relaxation and flow.

All in all, this year's Masters was a great celebration of golf and an inspiring display of physical and mental skills. The great thing is, the ideas and lessons gleaned from watching the coverage are skills that any player at any level can put to use to enrich and improve their own game.

Here's to great golf!

Rick Semple
Positive Golfer
TheHeartofGolf.com

What is Your Answer to This Fundamental Mental Golf Question?

Whether you are a golfer preparing to get back to the course after a winter break or you're a year-round player with a renewed desire for change and improvement as spring approaches, your answer to a certain fundamental mental golf question will give you a good clue about your confidence and overall mental golf mindset.

The question is this: Do I believe in myself? Your belief in yourself and your abilities really sets the stage for all the thoughts and feelings that make up your mindset, which ultimately affects your game. If you do not believe in your abilities and your potential, doubt and fear will often fill your mind as you play, prompting tension, tightness, distraction, and over-effort, all of which detract from a smooth, effortless swing. On the other hand, if you do believe in your abilities and your potential, you are more likely to be relaxed and focused and open to the flow of productive thoughts that encourage a smooth swing and accurate shots.

These days, we are seeing an example of not believing in oneself with Tiger. His belief in himself, which at one time was strong and sure, is now at a low point, and that is powerfully reflected in his game. It shows that great ability does not necessarily reflect in playing great golf when it is not combined with a solid mindset, including a strong self-belief. Any player, though, from the top level to the novice, can strengthen their belief in themself. First it takes recognition of this mental factor and then continual mental practice to focus on your own strengths and your own game and letting go of self-criticism and dwelling on mistakes and weaknesses.

As you are practicing and preparing for your next trip to the course, take some time to ask and reflect on this fundamental mental golf question. Do I believe in myself? Really think about it and be honest with yourself. The answer may be surprising and the follow-up mental steps you take can do a lot to change your game.

Here's to great golf!

Rick Semple
Positive Golfer
TheHeartofGolf.com

The Lighter Side of Mental Golf

While it's helpful to continue doing some mental exercises in the off-season or between rounds during the main season in order to keep your mental golf mindset strong and productive, it's also helpful to allow yourself to lighten up now and then with a bit of golf humor. Humor helps you look at things from a different perspective and can steer you away from dwelling on your golf faults and fix-its. It gets the flow of positive, upbeat energy going that eases tension and negativity. Altogether, a good dose of golf humor is helpful in developing and maintaining a strong positive golf mindset.

A fun resource for golf humor that I have recently learned about is the book How to Line Up Your Fourth Putt and the recently released sequel When to Regrip Your Ball Retriever, both by Bobby Rusher. These two books are clever parodies of more serious golf instructional manuals. They are set up in a similar fashion, with one key idea or point per a chapter of one or two pages. Each point is presented in a clever, sometimes offbeat, way that will bring a chuckle to new and seasoned players alike. In the first book, there are ideas like "How to Achieve the Flawless Swing Without Injuring Yourself or a Loved One," "How to Relax When You're Hitting 'Five Off the Tee,'" and "What to do When the Divot Weighs 1.5 Pounds, has Travelled 25 Yards, and Your Ball Has Not Moved." In When to Regrip Your Ball Retriever, you'll find, among many others, "What to do If You Hit the Ground Before You Hit the Ball," "When to Point Out That Nonchalant Putts Count the Same as Chalant Putts," "How to Obtain Golf 'Handicap Permits'", and even "Hyphenated Insults to Use in Tense Situations." There are plenty of "wise" ideas on all aspects of the game in these two books which are sure to give plenty of chuckles and even a few practical tips to take to the course. They are each an easy, entertaining read that are like a breath of fresh air for your mental golf mindset. Interestingly, there are testimonials for these books from noteworthy people who play the game, including President George H.W. Bush and Donald Trump. Check out their testimonials and additional book details, as well as the author's (who also happens to be a musician) colorful CD, Music to Shank By, at www.4putt.com.

As we approach the spring season when many are thinking about what you need to work on in preparing to go back to the course, remember to keep your mental game balanced with some humor and joy to help prevent frustration, tension, and burnout.

Here's to great golf!

Rick Semple
Positive Golfer
TheHeartofGolf.com

Mental Golf Practice for the Off-Season

It is often recommended, and wisely so, that golfers regularly practice drills in the off-season to maintain and enhance their physical game. The same wisdom applies to the mental golf game, although it generally gets less attention than it deserves. By regularly practicing some basic mental skills during the off-season, however, you can really build your mindset so it is primed, rather than "rusty," and ready to support a great game when you get back to the course. I know this has been true for me and those I have worked with. I didn't really believe in the effectiveness of these off-season mental exercises until I tried them myself.

The practices I am talking about here are not extensive, time-consuming, or deep thinking activities but rather practical, awareness-oriented mental exercises that can benefit your game as well as the rest of your life. One of these practices is what I like to think of as "de-cluttering." Some of the most valuable mental skills to use on the course are focus and concentration, and yet the common tendency for most golfers is to have lots of extra tips, suggestions, and swing thoughts filling and cluttering their mind and interfering with their focus and concentration. I know it's easy for this to happen when there are so many sources of good information available. In fact, in the off-season many golfers will often catch up on reading golf books, newsletters, and magazines and fill their minds even more. While the information in these resources is valuable and certainly worth the reading and reflection, there is something you can do to prevent the "too much information syndrome" that interferes with the mental focus and concentration that help your game. I like to think of it as a "de-cluttering" technique, and it has worked well for me. Your goal is to have just two or three key swing thoughts or tips that you keep repeating in your mind before and between shots. That's it - just two or three. More than that can be overwhelming and distracting.

To help you "pare down" or "clear out" and get to the point of working with just a few key ideas, you can write down all the ideas, suggestions, and tips that fill your mind as you play or think about the game, as well as the new ideas that you have gleaned from your reading and are trying to make yourself remember in addition to everything else. Write all of these down, then select the two or three that stand out as most important and helpful to you at this time. These are the ones you will take to the course with you. The other points on the list are for reviewing before and after rounds to further enhance your game. When you go to the course though, remember you want to keep it simple and minimize "clutter" and stick with the two or three key thoughts. This is a good exercise to do in the off-season to help streamline and strengthen your mindset in preparation for getting back to the course, and it's good to re-visit it periodically during the season as your game changes and your mind fills with new and different ideas. Making a conscious, mindful effort to "de-clutter" is a great step toward improving your focus and concentration.

Here's to great golf!

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

Ask Yourself This Fundamental Mental Golf Question

A point that is frequently made in golf instruction is that the swing is all about flow and the movement of energy and you want to allow this flow to happen smoothly and naturally. Most of the time, this point is made in reference to the flow of physical movement. Much less frequently, however, is there a reference made to the flow of mental energy, yet this flow is of fundamental importance to the swing as well. The smooth flow of productive mental golf thoughts is essential to set the stage for a smooth swing. For many, many players, however, the smooth flow of thoughts is frequently inhibited by fear, frustration, judgement of performance, and other mental "stuff." This disruption of the flow of mental golf thoughts is a common source of physical swing problems that many players don't realize. Many potential positive golf experiences are blocked due to the interference of positive mental thinking.

I was reminded of this flow principle recently when watching my two year old daughter playing with a plastic golf club. She was swinging away at the golf ball (and many other things as well) and my initial reaction was, "She's swinging away without a care in the world." It dawned on me that this was a great reminder of the value of being free and clear in your mind when practicing and playing, without the interference of thoughts and emotions that get in the way of the flow of positive, productive, "golf enhancing" thoughts. As I watched, I thought of this fundamental golf question: "What are you thinking and feeling that is interfering with the free flow of positive golf thoughts and ultimately the smooth flow of an effortless swing?" In essence, what is keeping you from being free and clear in golf? The answer to this question gets to the heart of golf improvement. It's a question I ask those I work with and I periodically ask myself as well. I encourage every aspiring golfer to do the same. Think about it: What are you thinking and feeling that is holding back the flow in your game?

If there are some golf improvement goals you have been working on this summer where you haven't seen results, this question can offer you some helpful insight for changing your mindset and ultimately your game. Remember to "let it flow" in mind and body! As always, I welcome comments on your insight and experiences.

Here's to great golf!

Rick Semple
Positive Golfer
TheHeartofGolf.com

A Novel Approach to Learning About Mental Golf

I recently read a book that I am enthusiastically recommending to my fellow Positive Golfers titled Straight Down the Middle, by Josh Karp. Having the complete title of Straight Down the Middle: Shivas Irons, Bagger Vance, and How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Golf Swing, the book is a first-hand account of a real-life golfer's quest to gain a greater understanding of positive mental principles and practices and then put them to use in order to transform his mindset, his game, and his life. The author, Karp, is a journalist and, at the beginning, an 18 handicap golfer who realizes there is great potential in the mental realm, and having a great desire to enrich his game and his life he is inspired to explore various mental philosophies and approaches. Karp becomes a mental golf guinea pig, in essence, and immerses himself in learning from various gurus and masters and applying their wisdom on (and off) the course. He shares his experiences in great detail so the reader gets a very clear picture of what is taking place. Along with the details, Karp is open and forthcoming about his thoughts and feelings throughout, so the reader can follow his deepening understanding and development (and sometimes drawbacks). Karp also has a keen sense of humor which makes the reading enjoyable as well as enlightening.

All in all, Straight Down the Middle is a memoir of a noteworthy quest to understand, evolve, and improve. Karp delivers great insight into lessons learned about golf, patience, letting go, and much more. He presents the scientific aspect of positive mental practices as well as the practical side. And he illustrates how to put it all into real-life practice out on the course, with his own mental and physical game as a proving ground. By the end of the book and the odyssey of discovery, Karp has indeed discovered the effortless swing and lowered his handicap. He has achieved a deeper understanding of the game and himself as well, all of which have enriched his golf experiences and his life. In his final comments he says, "Most importantly, my swing became a source of pleasure, which more often than not brought my scores closer to par."

Straight Down the Middle leaves the reader with plenty of ideas to think about and act upon in one's own quest for golf improvement. You will gain a greater awareness and understanding of the mental realm and likely be inspired to begin or expand your own efforts in that arena. As a Positive Golfer who believes in the value of the mental game and who continually strives to strengthen my own mental golf mindset, I gained some new understanding and useful tools myself, as well as some inspiration from Karp. I also enjoyed the book as an all-around good read. It was especially engaging because it was written by a "real-life golfer." On the book jacket, it refers to "a journey of a common man in search of an uncommon kingdom." I recommend Karp's book to anyone who wants to enjoy a more relaxed, fluid swing, a lower handicap, and more positive experiences in golf (and in life!). If you feel positive mental practices are too advanced or impractical, then this book is really for you! You'll see the mental game from a whole new perspective in Straight Down the Middle. Check it out this summer! You can find it at Amazon.com.

Here's to great golf!

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

Five Mental Golf Things You Can Do Right Now to Improve Your Game

I often hear from people who have a golf outing or event coming up and they are feeling anxious because they haven't played in a while. They want a quick mental golf tip or two that they can start using right away to help their game. If you are in a similar situation, or are just interested in starting to beef up your mental game in general, I have put together a list of some mental golf fundamentals that you can start doing right now, wherever you are. A key idea behind all of these tips is one of changing mental habits that clutter your mind and distract your attention away from really focusing on your strategy and the shot at hand. These are things that I continually remind myself to do, especially if I am feeling "scattered" and off-track in my mindset and my game is reflecting that same thing. By starting these new mental practices right now and persisting with them, you will be headed in the right direction for building a stronger mindset and setting the stage for more Positive Golf experiences. Keep in mind, these things can (and should) be done both on and off the course, whenever you are playing or thinking about the game. These skills get more natural and effective with practice.

1. Let go of those bad shots. I know. I know. Easier said than done. But believe me, it makes a difference. Dwelling on missed putts and errant drives demands a lot of mental energy that distracts you from productive thoughts and better focus.

2. Don't dwell on fear. Here again, easier said than done. And here again, an enormous "consumer" of mental energy. Start by picking one thing you are really fearful about (i.e. missing short putts and looking bad in front of others) and consciously make an effort to "switch gears" to more productive thoughts (i.e. swing thoughts and your strategy) when this pops into your mind.

3. Let go of that blame. Like fear and holding on to bad shots, frequent blaming also consumes a lot of mental energy and distracts you. While blaming might help you justify things and help you feel better for a moment, it takes your thoughts away from the shot at hand and also from getting to the real cause of swing problems or other challenges. (Your clubs and the weather are not always at fault!) Make a concerted effort to tune in to your blaming tendencies and steer your thoughts in a more positive and productive direction.

4. Take the pressure off. It's a common practice to continually put pressure on yourself to hit farther, make more putts, and score better. Self-motivation is one thing, but persistent pressure can distract your focus and be counter-productive. Seriously, give yourself a break. When you notice those pressure-filled thoughts filling your mind, switch gears to swing thoughts and some self-encouragement.

5. Stop dwelling on "hitting." It's a very common tendency these days to think about hitting at the ball harder with more effort in order to achieve more distance. A lot of people spend a lot of mental energy dwelling on trying to figure out how to "hit harder," when the real solution is less effort and more allowing. Switch those hitting thoughts to more productive thoughts of feeling and allowing the smooth, natural swing. (For more insight and tips on this topic, check out my Goodbye Hit, Hello Swing e-book.)

Now, you're on your way to a mental golf mindset that is stronger and more aligned with the flow of productive thoughts and a smooth, effortless swing.

Here's to great golf!

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

A Tip for Building Confidence

When talking to people about positive mental golf, one of the most frequently asked questions I hear is, "How can I develop more confidence?" There's no doubt about it that confidence is the anchor of a strong mindset that supports a great game. What a lot of people don't realize is that there are a lot of facets to confidence. In other words, it is affected by numerous other mental skills and practices. One of these practices is the tendency to focus on what is right or what is wrong with your game. The frequent attention on what you are doing wrong with your swing or other aspects of your game can be distracting and actually interfere with the confidence you so desire. While a desire for change and improvement is good, a strong and frequent orientation on what is wrong will actually interfere with the flow and development of confidence. On the road to improvement, it's helpful to keep thoughts oriented on the positive, i.e. what you are doing right, so that you can think and build upon this. To get started, think of five key things that you do well in relation to your swing and your game. When you are playing, remind yourself of these things, especially before a pressure shot or after making a poor swing or a mistake (or when stuck in a prolonged "rut" of poor playing). Do this practice of reminding yourself of your strengths on a regular basis, blending in periodic thoughts of what would be helpful to improve. This is actually a practice that is beneficial for any golfer to do, not just those getting started in using mental golf. It is something that I continue to do to keep me on track (or to get me back on track if I have veered off in the midst of some less-than-desirable playing). Here's an example of the points that are part of my mental "go to" list for building and maintaining confidence:

- I have good talent on and around the green.
- I am a focused competitor.
- I know to always return to my basic swing keys.
- I allow myself to swing the club (not force with extra effort)
- I am a very good iron player

If you don't have a mental "go to" list for supporting your confidence, it's a good idea to put one together now and start referring to it regularly. It's another tool in your mental golf "toolbox" that will help to strengthen your mindset and your game.

Here's to great golf!

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

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

Another Mental Golf Question to Improve Your Game

As a follow-up to my previous post on 4 Questions to Improve Your Mental Game, I am inspired to add another question to that list. The thing that inspired me were some remarks made by Tiger Woods regarding his putting at The Barclays. In his remarks, he wanted to make it very clear that it was those tricked-up greens that led to his near miss in Jersey City last week, and certainly not the player holding the putter in his hands. "Not too many golf courses that you misread putts that badly," he said, adding, "This course is one." Steve Politi, the sports columnist for the Newark Star-Ledger pointed out that Woods "sounded like a shortstop blaming the infield grass for an E-6 or a goalie blaming the Zamboni for a bad goal." He went on to say that "Tiger is forgetting the simplest truth about golf: Everyone in the field plays the same course. And everyone else - or at least the ones on the leaderboard - seemed to handle the greens just fine."

The remarks by Woods are a classic example of using blame when one is experiencing less-than-desirable results in the game. The thing about blame is that it might help you justify the situation and feel better about it for a while, but in actuality it distracts you from focusing on the real reason for your golf problem. Spending mental time and energy on blame takes you away from spending that time and energy on the actual cause of the problem - what you are doing wrong - and thereby hinders you from correcting it and preventing it from happening again. Using blame is like a "crutch" and is not a practice that ultimately leads to positive golf experiences.

Tiger's remarks show that blame is a practice that even a player with a highly refined mental game can fall into without keeping it in check. It's a good reminder for any player to ask themselves the question: Am I using blame as a "crutch" in my mental game? Tune in to your own thoughts and remarks as you are playing and see if this is a mental practice you are prone to. If so, stop the blaming and start making some mental and physical changes. Go beyond the blame and get to the heart of what is really causing your golf problem and make the appropriate mechanical changes in your game. This "blame-free" approach is more certain to lead to better results and more satisfaction in the long run.

Here's to great golf!

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

4 Questions to Improve Your Mental Game

When mental golf practices don't seem to be helping your game, the tendency is to stop using them and chalk it up to mental golf not being right for you or mental golf not working at all. Before you throw in the towel and decide to stop developing and applying these skills, however, ask yourself these four questions:

1. Do I really believe mental golf practices work and can help my game?

2. Am I utilizing these skills consistently throughout each round (not just when the "going gets tough")?

3. Am I overwhelming myself by trying to change too many mental practices at once?

4. Am I putting too much pressure on myself to master these practices and get "instant results"? (This was one of my main tendencies when I was beginning the development of my mental game.)

Your answer to these questions can give you some very good clues as to why the application of mental golf skills isn't working for you. An answer of "no" to the first two questions and "yes" to the second two indicates some things that are blocking the success of using positive mental practices in your game. If you have been trying to develop your mental golf mindset this summer (or at any time) and have not experienced any improvement in your game, take a moment to reflect on these questions and the answers. It can be time well spent that gets you past the threshold of quitting and onto a new and more effective path. Changing your approach in any of these four areas (and certainly in all of them) can help to make a difference in your evolution as a successful positive golfer!

Here's to great golf!

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

A Mantra for Your Mental Golf

At first, a mantra doesn't sound like something that could be helpful to your golf game, but the more I study and practice mental golf the more I realize the value of tools like this. In its basic form, a mantra is a sentence or phrase that is repeated verbally or mentally to help focus the mind on an idea. This concept can easily be applied to your golf game and can in fact be quite helpful to your mental golf mindset in a number of ways. For one, it's a good way to develop the skill of being focused rather than having "scattered" thinking that is prone to distraction. Using a mantra can help to get you in the habit of consistently staying on track in productive mental golf thinking rather than frequently "switching gears" back and forth from productive, helpful thinking to distracting, unproductive thinking. Overall, using a mantra gives you some good practice in using a mental tool, which is a great way to get started with or expand on the use of mental golf practices.

I want to point out that the idea of using a mantra in your mental golf practice is something different than having swing thoughts. The concept of the mantra in this particular application os to help change a mental habit, like fear, and establish a better way of thinking, whereas swing thoughts are generally related to the physical mechanics of your swing. Also, when it comes to using a mantra for your mental golf, I'm not talking about "mindless" or rote repetition of a phrase, but thoughtful or "mindful" repetition with awareness and sincerity.

A couple of examples of this concept in practice will help it make more sense. One example is a mantra that my wife has used to help her game. As a beginning golfer, a challenge she was facing was a lot of tension, which led to a lot of problems with her swing. This tension was rooted in her over-concern for what people were thinking regarding her swing and her abilities. It would almost paralyze her on certain holes and in certain situations. To address the problem and help her focus on more helpful thoughts, she used the phrase from a popular quote, "what other people think of me is none of my business" as a mantra, repeating it to herself frequently throughout a round. Here again, it wasn't mindless or forced repetition but thoughtful repetition done with sincerity and focus. It proved to be very helpful in re-orienting her thoughts and diffusing her concerns and ultimately reducing the tension that wreaked havoc with her swing. Another example of an area where I know this mantra tool has been used with success is in helping to change the habit of hanging on to thoughts of poor shots and other mistakes and developing the habit of letting go and staying in the present. A mantra that has worked for other golfers in this situation is, "It's all about this shot and this moment," repeated in the mind over and over with increasing belief and conviction.

A mantra is another tool that I recommend adding to your mental golf "bag of tricks." It's something you can get started with right away. You have to be sure to stick with it though. Just like any of the mental golf tools, being persistent and consistent pays off. Here are some other areas where using a mantra can help get you on the road to making some changes in your mind and your game:

- changing the habit of frequent anger about your game
- changing the habit of ongoing self-doubt about your abilities
- changing the habit of using over-effort and trying too hard
- changing the habit of putting pressure on yourself
- changing the habit of regularly using "what if" thinking and dwelling on worst-case scenarios while playing

One more tip: When choosing a mantra to use, pick something that is succinct, has good flow, and makes good sense to you about the issue at hand. It may even be a popular quote or a catch phrase. Avoid using "not" phrases, such as "I am not angry. I am not angry..." as this actually puts more focus on the problem at hand rather than away from it.

This idea of a mantra can be put to use right away to change and strengthen your mental golf mindset. Try it out, and give it a chance to "sink in" and work (practice it in multiple rounds, not just one time). I welcome comments about your experience.

Here's to great golf!

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

How Long Does It Take For Mental Golf Techniques to Work?

In my work with Positive Golf, I get a lot of questions about the hows and whys and the nuts and bolts of using positive mental techniques for golf improvement. It's great to receive these questions because it tells me that a person is taking an extra step to get insight and guidance into techniques that can help their game. We have started to include coverage of these questions in our Positive Golf newsletter in a periodic column titled "Positive Golf Q & A." When we started running this column, even more questions started pouring in! Occasionally, I will include some of these questions and answers in this blog because the topics are universal to so many players and so vital to success with the mental game. If you would like the benefit of seeing Positive Golf questions and answers more often, as well as other real-life insight, tips, and drills to promote positive golf improvement, then check out the details about our free Positive Golf Newsletter. I also invite you to submit a question by posting it on this blog or sending me an email through our website at TheHeartofGolf.com. In the meantime, here's a question from a golfer in Illinois who voices what a lot of other players have wondered about:

Q: Last summer, I started working on my mental game by trying visualization, but it didn't work. How long should it take for mental game techniques to make a difference in improving my game?

A. The short answer to this question is that it takes as long as it takes. It is going to be different for everyone because everyone's mindset, with all of its habits and tendencies, is different. Everyone's belief and acceptance of new ideas and techniques is also different, and this will also affect the speed and effectiveness of change. The good news is that it is possible for positive change in your physical game to begin with just a few rounds of using new mental game techniques. You may start to experience more consistency, better tempo, less frequent slicing of the ball, or better putting, for example, with continual game improvement as you continue to practice new mental techniques more consistently and effectively.

It may be the case, however, that improvement in your physical game is slow to occur or does not seem to happen at all as a result of changing your mental practices, leading you to think that the mental techniques don't work or that mental golf is "just not for you." A delay or total lack of results with mental techniques like visualization doesn't mean they don't work, but it does mean that something is interfering or getting in the way of their effectiveness. Some common things that get in the way of mental golf techniques "doing their job" and producing results include the following:

1. Inconsistency in using the techniques, i.e. trying them here and there, such as just when "the going gets tough," OR using one technique such as visualization in a positive way while at the same time using another technique such as self-talk in a negative way.

2. Incorrectly using the techniques, i.e. visualizing the results you do want to experience while also still mixing in visualizing the results you do not want to experience. (Even if you don't mean to do this or aren't doing it "on purpose," it still has an impact.)

3. Impatience at not experiencing better or faster results, thereby leading to mental tension, frustration, or even anger.

4. Lack of total belief or trust in the potential benefits of mental golf practices, thus sowing the seeds of doubt that detract from the effectiveness of such practices.

5. Doing too much at once, i.e. trying too hard to boost your mental game by changing or improving too many mental golf practices all at once which can dilute their effectiveness compared to improving them step-by-step one or two at a time.

Tuning in to your tendency to do one or more of these practices can help you nip some things in the bud and get you on a mental golf pathway that is more positive and productive in yielding the changes in your physical game that you have been hoping to see.

Here's to great golf!

Rick Semple
Positive Golfer and
Co-Founder
TheHeartofGolf.com

A New Book to Boost Your Golf Improvement

Two things that are key to successfully building a strong mental game and realizing consistent golf improvement are organization and persistence. Organization refers to an organized approach in setting your positive goals and the positive plans to achieve those goals (see blog post from April 4, 2009 for more on positive goals and plans) as well as organization in your practice to make it a more effective "smart practice" or "positive practice." Persistence refers to the stick-to-itiveness to stay with your plans and practice, day after day and week after week. These are the "nuts and bolts" that are at the core of productive change for players at any level. While seemingly basic and simple, they can truly make the difference in whether or not you achieve success. Many a desire for golf improvement has been "lost in the shuffle" of inconsistent thinking and efforts and the lure of the easier path of giving up.

I have learned about a handy new tool to help you stay on track with your organization and persistence and help increase the likelihood of your success in golf improvement. It's called The 20th Hole, Stat Book and Log for Golfers, by Matt Gullo, USGTF Teaching Professional. This recently published book is designed to help you in the analysis and development of your overall game, from statistics to swing thoughts and strategies. Matt's background as a teacher and a player dedicated to golf improvement really show through in this book. It's packed with practical charts and forms to fill out with scores and notes about your lessons, practice sessions and rounds. For example, the Practice Session/Lesson Notes pages provide sections to fill in your notes on parts of the game you worked on, tips to remember, drills to remember, and swing thoughts to remember. These sections act as "prompts" to get you on your toes and keep you on your toes in thinking about these crucial subjects. Anyone who has done training or teaching knows that the act of writing things down helps to reinforce the ideas and keep them fresh in your mind. Having the forms all ready for you in this book makes it even easier for you to do this. The Statistics Pages are also set up in a convenient format for recording your score as well as the number of putts, fairways and greens you hit, and up and down and sand save opportunities. Plus there is an area to record strengths this round, areas for improvement, swing thoughts for the next round, strategies next time you play the course, and what to practice most before the next round. This gets you to think about a lot more than your score and helps give you detailed insight into both your physical and mental tendencies, which is a productive and effective way to improve your game. Another tool in the book which will help your game is the Set and Achieve Your Golf Goals Pages, with sections to write your goals, your plan of attack, the date to be accomplished, and the outcome. Here again, it keeps you on your toes and on-track. The book also offers some good practical tips on swing thoughts, course management, pre-shot routine, how to practice more effectively, and golf in the off-season.

Altogether, this is a practical, insightful and highly usable book that is a great tool for effectively identifying strengths, weaknesses, and trends in your game, which is a critical step in golf improvement that is often glazed over or even overlooked. It also helps with the critical step of looking ahead and developing both mental and physical game strategies, all of which increases the likelihood you will achieve your goals. As an advocate of the "blended" (mental and physical), mindful, organized Positive Golf approach to the game, I give this book a thumbs up for format, content, and usability and encourage other Positive Golfers to consider it for helping with organization and persistence in your golf improvement. You will be more aware of your tendencies and more tuned in to your game! For more details, check it out at www.the20thhole.com.

Here's to great golf!

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

Positive Golf Improvement Project for 2009

While I continually practice using mental golf techniques and other Positive Golf ideas in all aspects of my game, I also pick one area for particular focus as my Positive Golf Improvement Project for the year. This practice gives structure and focus to my improvement efforts and helps to keep me from getting overwhelmed and "scattered" with too many improvement activities. It also helps me to stick with it and stay on track throughout the season. My wife, a beginning golfer, also picks a Positive Golf Improvement Project for particular focus each season as well. You can read about our previous projects in the archives of this blog. This approach has helped both of us experience more success in achieving our desired changes and improvements to our games than when we took a less formal approach of just saying what we wanted to improve but not having any structure to it. I have referred to the term "smart practice" in this blog before, which is practice with structure and purpose; a similar term of "smart improvement" can be applied to the approach of using a Positive Golf Improvement Project.

As we have chosen and carried out these golf improvement projects eash season in recent years, the format has evolved into an approach that incorporates all the key elements of Positive Golf that assure more effectiveness and success, including Positive Goals and a Positive Plan that incorporates both mental and physical elements. You can download a template for this approach by CLICKING HERE. Here are the Positive Golf Improvement Projects for 2009 put together by my wife Christy and me using this template. I will post updates on our progress throughout the season and include any new insights and ideas we have learned along the way. We encourage other golfers to use this approach as well and we invite you to share your feedback and experiences on this blog. When you implement a Positive Golf Improvement Project for one key area of your game, you are sure to see the "ripple effect" of positive improvements showing up in other areas of your game as well!

My Positive Golf Improvement Project for 2009:

Positive Goal:

To achieve a greater degree of balance throughout my golf swing so that I have more solid impact.

Positive Plan:

Physical Elements---

- Practice using better posture in the address position, with straighter, cleaner angles.
- Practice placing the ball a couple of inches back in my stance, so that my hands are more ahead of the clubhead.
- Practice feeling a consistent level of weight pressure on my left foot during my swing.
- Practice moving more weight to my left side by shifting my head, upper body, and hips (as a unit) an inch or two to the left so that I feel an increse of weight pressure directly over my left foot.
- Practice the "rotation drill" to get the feel of the preferred motion that promotes balance.
- Practice the high right hip/right leg "stability post" position by first swinging in slow motion. Strive to feel like my midsection is rotating up to the hip rather than on to the leg.
- Practice in front of a mirror to compare what I'm feeling with what I'm seeing.

Mental Elements---

- Continue to practice letting go of the idea that I need to use extra effort to hit at the ball.
- Practice tuning in to the feeling of a stable lower body foundation as I swing down to impact.
- Practice using the mental image of a totally connected elastic body.
- Remind myself that all motion is primarily rotational in nature, as opposed to lateral or sideways.

Affirmations---
- I tune in to feeling the movement of my hips and legs.
- I allow myself to rotate my weight as I follow through in the swing.
- I trust that my swing is held on a set track that is in harmony with my body rotation.
- I tune in to feeling a stable lower body foundation.

Positive Golf Improvement Project for 2009 for my wife, a beginning golfer:

Positive Goal:

To develop a tempo in my swing that is smooth and consistent, versus a jerky hitting at the ball that results from trying too hard.

Positive Plan:

Physical Elements---

- Practice swinging in slow motion.
- Pratice the "playground swing drill" to get the feel of an effortless swing rhythm.
- Check the grip pressure before each swing and tune in to keeping it consistent without extra tightening.
- Practice the "gravity drill" of letting the hands and arms drop down from the backswing with no extra effort and no extra grip pressure.
- Practice using a consistent pre-shot routine that includes one or two relaxed practice swings.

Mental Elements---

- Practice reducing self-doubt and putting "distance pressure" on myself.
- Practice letting go of the idea that I need to try to hit the ball with extra effort and focus instead on the idea of allowing the natural swing to happen.
- Practice tuning in my awareness to noticing and remembering the feel of the effortless swing motion.
- Before swinging, think "relax, slow down, swing smooth."

Affirmations---

- I release the need to control the club.
- I release the idea that more physical effort alone creates more power.
- I release the belief that I must keep trying harder to hit the ball farther.
- I am tuned in to a greater awareness of a natural swinging motion.
- I relax, let go, and let it flow.

Here's to great golf improvement!

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

Getting Rid of the "Demons"

Mental Golf Tidbit: The road to meltdowns is usually filled with mental "demons," and the road to hard-fought success is usually filled with the battles of conquering these demons.

It was great to see Phil pull through and win the Northern Trust Open at Riviera over the weekend. More than one report pointed out that he had to "bury some demons" along the way in order to achieve his success. One of these demons was, of course, the meltdown two years ago when he had a one-shot lead until making a sloppy bogey on 18 and then losing in a playoff. There have been other demons along the way as well, including other unfortunate scenarios and some powerful mental golf challenges like self-doubt that eroded his mindset and his physical game.

It's really motivating to see a pro like Phil, or any player for that matter, achieve success after sticking with it and working through their "mental stuff." I was fortunate to be at the 2004 Masters, right there on the approach to 18 when Phil sunk his putt and leaped into the air in absolute relief and joy at burying some long-time demons and making the way for the thoughts, feelings, and actions that took him to the pinnacle of the success of winning the Masters.

Every player has "demons," and every player can overcome them. In either case, you don't have to be a player on the Tour. Phil is a great example but not an exception that shows it only happens with the elite players. Every player reading this post (and the one writing it) has one (usually more) "demons" that interfere with the effective mental and physical flow that supports your game. There is no doubt - "demons" interfere with your game - they distract you, they hold you back, and they keep you from playing your best. The "demons" may be a chronic negative mental habit or a negative golf experience you can't let go of. Below is a list of some common "demons." Look it over and see if anything sounds familiar or reminds you of something else not on the list. Then, go "tackle" this demon with a new awareness and clear it out of your mind. Be persistent and stick with it, and you too can be smiling like Phil at moving past some "stuff" and enjoying some great positive golf experiences.

Some "Demons" That Interfere With Your Game:

1. Hanging on to (dwelling on) previous poor shots.
2. Hanging on to (dwelling on) previous meltdowns/collapses/bad rounds.
3. Habitual and persistent self-doubt.
4. Freezing up on the first tee out of fear others are watching and judging you and you might hit a poor shot.
5. Freezing up on pressure shots out of fear others are watching and judging you and your might miss it.
6. Getting angry at poor shots and holding on to that anger for additional holes or even throughout your rounds.
7. Habitually comparing yourself to others and how your game measures up to theirs.
8. Habitually trying to hard and using "overeffort" to hit better and play better.
9. Habitually distracted with judgement - judging how you are playing and/or wondering how others are judging your playing.
10. Habitually thinking you are too old, too inflexible, too..., etc. to play a decent game.

For some more tips on identifying and conquering these "demons" that intefere with your game, check out the soon-to-be-released Positive Golf Handbook. It will help you "clear out the clutter" in your mind and play the game more effectively. Here's to getting rid of those "demons" and having a lot more positive golf experiences!

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

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

Must-Read Mental Golf Books

"What are the best books to read on mental golf?" I get asked this question a lot, and it's a good one. It tells me that a person is receptive to new ideas and a greater understanding, which are good qualities for a Positive Golfer. You can get mental golf ideas a lot of places (blogs and websites are certainly two of them!), but I still encourage the use of books as a primary source, whether printed or digital, so you can read and re-read the ideas, let them sink in, and then easily go back to them. This reflection and re-visiting are helpful when learning about so many aspects of the game, including the mental side. Books are a great way to build the initial foundation of an understanding of the key concepts of mental golf, and also to expand and enrich this understanding as you progress in your development. Improvement of the mental game, along with the physical game, is a continual evolution whatever your level of experience and achievement. Books were enormously valuable in my early study of the mental game, and they continue to help deepen my understanding, heighten my awareness, and learn new insights and approaches to this day. Here are some of my favorite mental books which I consider "must-reads" for anyone seeking to improve their mental and physical games. There is a good mix of classics and newer titles. I still go back to these for periodic refreshers and reminders:

- The Inner Game of Golf, by W. Timothy Gallwey
- Fearless Golf: Conquering the Mental Game, by Dr. Gio Valiante
- Extraordinary Golf: The Art of the Possible, by Fred Shoemaker and Pete Shoemaker
- The Golfer's Mind: Play to Play Great, by Bob Rotella
- The Game Before the Game: The Perfect 30-Minute Practice, by Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson
- Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game, by Joseph Parent

In the near future, I look forward to adding our soon-to-be-released book on the mental game to this list - The Positive Golf Handbook: 101 Tips, Exercises, and Techniques to Improve Your Outlook, Your Game, and Your Life. It is a how-to, hands-on, honest-to-goodness handbook to help you put the mental game concepts you have read about in the books into real-life practice. In the meantime, keep reading the mental golf books and staying receptive to new ideas!

Here's to great golf!

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

Positive Mental Golf Practices for the "Off-Season"

One of the great things about the mental game is that you can easily practice skills to strengthen it, even when you aren't on the course, including during the days, weeks, or even months between rounds, which may be the case right now for some people in colder climates. The real key, however, is not just that it is fairly easy to do this mental practice in the "off-season," but it is also essential if you want your mental game, and in fact your entire game, to be in good form when you get back to the course. Having your mental game strong and tuned up is also essential if you desire any kind of golf improvement. Positive changes in your mindset are at the root of positive changes in your game. You're not going to get consistent improvement in your putting, for example, if you don't pave the way with a mindset free from excess pressure and over-effort and consisting of strong focus, positive expectations, and a keen awareness tuned in to the "feel" of the body and motion. These skills don't just conveniently "show up" at the moment you need them, no matter how much you want them to. Trying to call upon a mental skill "out of the blue" that is "rusty" from infrequent use is not the most effective approach. These skills need to be cultivated and practiced beforehand so they are natural, consistent, and well-developed. The best way to achieve this is to continually practice them on and off the course, including the "off-season" when you might not be playing for a while. This practice is more than reading or occasionally thinking about mental golf! There are some things you can do in your mind during this time to build and strengthen your Positive Golf mindset, and ultimately your entire game. Here are some key activities that will help:

1. Remember the good shots. Recalling and dwelling upon poor shots reinforces what you did wrong and what you think you "can't" do - it doesn't help you to move forward to new and better shots. Instead, practice remembering and "seeing" (in your mind) the good shots you have made in the recent past, and it will help to strengthen your confidence and "can do" attitude.

2. Stop comparing yourself to others. Here again, when you compare yourself to others, you often end up reminding yourself of what you can't do or what you should be doing and aren't doing. You end up feeling inferior and eroding your sense of confidence. While you may have a passing thought of comparing your abilities and results with others, especially when you read golf magazines or talk golf with other players, strive to focus on your own abilities, goals, and developments and the progress you are making compared to yourself. Remember, it's a game between you and the course!

3. Take note of how you "label" yourself. How you think and speak about yourself as a golfer, either in your mind or out loud in conversation with others, has an impact on how you end up playing. It's the old "self-fulfilling prophecy" concept. If you continually think of and speak of yourself as "just a hacker," "a lousy putter," or "a chronic slicer," this focus and mental energy can't help but continually show up in your physical game. Practice thinking and speaking of yourself and your game in a more positive way that is oriented to your potential rather than your shortcomings. As an example, you aren't "just a hacker," your are a golfer who loves the game, and right now you are focused on fine-tuning your tempo.

4. Tune in to the sense of feel. Effectively using the sense of "feel" is absolutely critical to playing your best golf, and it is touted by the best teachers and players. A lot of recreational players still overlook this valuable skill, however, choosing instead to focus on pounding it or sinking it, rather than the finer mental points of how to actually achieve that. Developing and using the sense of feel takes mental awareness and focus. You can use off-course time to remind yourself to take note of tuning in to the physical feeling in your hands, arms, shoulders, and legs when doing everyday activities. This will help to make it much more natural and easy to tune into feel when you are holding a club and striving to use it in a positive and effective way to achieve positive and desirable results.

The dedicated and regular practice of these mental activities in the "off-season" is sure to pay off in a stronger mindset, better preparation, and better playing when you get back to the course. As always, I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with us here on the Positive Golf Blog.

Here's to great golf!

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