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

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

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

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

Positive Golf Kudos

This week, I am inspired to give Positive Golf Kudos to my cousin Carol Semple Thompson. On Monday, November 10, Carol is going to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement Category. I am truly bursting with pride at this recognition, not only because she is my cousin but because she is such an exceptional example of a supreme golfer and a fine human being. She truly shines both on and off the course. Her accomplishments are many and include competing in 109 USGA events (winning seven of them), qualifying for 32 U.S. Women's Opens, winning two Mid-Am titles, winning four Senior Amateur titles in a row, competing on a record 12 Curtis Cup squads, and becoming one of only 11 women to win both the U.S. Women's Amateur and British Ladie's Open Amateur. Most recently, she captained her second consecutive Curtis Cup team to victory over Great Britain and Ireland in May 2008 at the Old Course at St. Andrews. Off the course, Carol has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the USGA and was the recipient of the 2003 Bob Jones Award, which is the highest honor given by the USGA in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf.

Whether Carol is on the practice range or in the midst of a competition, she truly embodies the qualities of a Positive Golfer. She has long been a believer and practitioner of positive mental golf, regularly using the skills of relaxation, visualization, and positive expectation. Her focus is superb, her senses of feel and awareness are fine-tuned, and her tempo is smooth and consistent - there is no forced trying and over-effort in her swing. She exhibits a great respect for herself and other players, and it is a true joy to play a round with her. Many people, myself included, are inspired with a renewed can-do attitude after such a round.

Monday, November 10 is a great day for the game of golf and the principles of Positive Golf that we strive to practice and pass along, which are expressed so greatly by my cousin Carol Semple Thompson. I encourage you to watch the Induction Ceremony live on the Golf Channel from 9:00 to 11:00 PM on that date. Carol will be inducted at that time, along with other inductees in the class of 2008, including Bob Charles, Pete Dye, Herbert Warren Wind, Craig Wood, and Denny Shute. It's quite a group, and quite an opportunity to honor them and honor all aspects of the game. CLICK HERE for more details.

Here's to great golf!

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