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

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

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

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

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

Top 5 Ways The Olympics Have Helped My Golf Game

Like so many people, I have enjoyed watching the Olympic Games for the past 17 days. I have enjoyed viewing them for many reasons, with a primary one being that it helps my golf game. Even though golf is not part of the Olympics at this time, there are still a lot of beneficial things to be learned from a mental and athletic standpoint that can be applied to golf. The ideas and inspiration from athletes in a variety of sports can successfully be applied to golf, and many other aspects of life for that matter. Here are the top five ideas that stood out for me in the past couple of weeks and served as valuable reminders and motivators for my mental golf mindset and golf improvement activities:

1. Look forward, not backward. Let go of misses and mistakes and look forward to positive possibilities and outcomes. Don't dwell on what went wrong because that will hold you back. The past is the past, period.

2. Take responsibility - don't blame. It comes down to you on the course, the court, the track, the pool, or wherever. Blaming mistakes or poor performance on other people or conditions (i.e. heat) does not help anything, because while you are blaming and complaining other competitors are not - they are focusing on things that help their performance instead, and it shows.

3. Don't get affected by limiting ideas about "age." Don't buy into common ideas and beliefs that you can't do certain things once you reach a "certain age." There were several shining examples of athletes past what is traditionally considered "prime competitive age" who blew people out of the water (no pun intended) with their attitudes and performances. These athletes weren't "superhuman," but they each had a super attitude that did not focus on what are "supposed" to be the "limitations" of age (i.e. You're old and stiff and "over-the-hill" past 40.) They really get the idea that "You're as old as you think."

4. Believe that you can do it. Time and again, the athletes who surprised with their performances, did the seemingly "impossible," or just stuck with it and went on to win expressed this can-do attitude in follow-up interviews. They showed us the supreme value of believing in yourself and knowing that, yes, you can do what you put your mind to when you absolutely believe in yourself. This applies just as much to achieving a goal in golf as it does to achieving an Olympics medal.

5. Always strive to improve. Here again, those shining stars on the court, the track, and in the pool make frequent reference to their continual efforts to improve, whether it be their form, their time, or their strength. Their years of preparation, out of the public eye of the Olympics, are filled with days and days of dedication to improvement. And they fully embrace the idea of improvement - watching videos, seeking feedback, building their bodies and their minds. They strive for practice that is positive and productive, not merely repetition. And yes, this approach is just as beneficial for golf improvement for the recreational golfer as it is for the Olympic athlete! Take the open, receptive, and persistent approach to improvement and stick with it!

These are the "Olympic ideas" that have re-charged me and my game. I would like to learn about the ideas that helped others. Feel free to add a comment to the blog...

Here's to great golf!

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

Small Changes Can Make A World of Difference

Two factors contributed greatly to Greg Norman's magnificent showing at last month's British Open. One of them he candidly stated when asked about leading after 54 holes. "Obviously I played well enough to put myself in this position," said Norman. "That comes from a good, safe, happy mind in a lot of ways. I'm very content in my mind..."

Naturally one needs to have the ability (which Norman had), but how we perform with our ability, at any level, is determined by our state of mind, which in turn determines our flow of thoughts. Sometimes we can use a little "reminder" of just how powerful and influential our minds are in our golf game. Norman's performance at Royal Birkdale was a shining example of this fact.

The other interesting factor was the small change Norman made in his set up. Moving closer to the ball wasn't something "new." It was a return to the way he set up in his "heyday." Another good lesson for the rest of us. With all the "swing information" floating around out there, we often tend (knowingly or unknowingly) to move away from things that have worked well in the past, in search of something better. A wiser choice, in many instances, is to return to the fundamentals and reunite with the ideas and feelings which inspired confidence and nice shot making on our "good days."

With a bit of mental effort, almost all of us can recall that, When I drove it well, I used to do this, or During those great putting rounds, I felt a certain way. Well, what are we waiting for? These things used to work, and they still will!

Small changes, even so small as a couple of inches this way or that, can make a world of difference - in our mind. We change the way we feel, and the feeling is directly impressed on our golf game. Keep this in mind when you are starting to think you need to do a "major overhaul" to fix your swing. Remember - small changes can make a world of difference!

Here's to great golf!

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

What Are You Hanging On To That Is Holding Back Your Game?

Did you know that hanging on to bad shots, bad golf moments, and general negativity is one of the most prevalent mental practices that weighs golfers down, holds them back, and leads to less-than-positive golf experiences? It permeates the entire mental golf psyche and distracts from focus, visualization, and awareness. In fact, all of those "could haves," "should haves," and "if onlys" take away from mental energy that could otherwise be put to good use on constructive thoughts that will help your game.

So what exactly is "hanging on?" It is a mental habit of actively keeping thoughts and memories of past negative actions and experiences in mind by dwelling on them, frequently recalling or "replaying" them, and allowing them to linger and fester and take the place of otherwise helpful thoughts and memories.

And what is it that golfers hang on to in their minds? The specifics vary from person to person, of course, but the common factors include:

Memories and thoughts of ---
- bad shots
- bad rounds
- bad tendencies
- mistakes and "flaws"
- "ruts" you have been or are stuck in

Plus negative mental habits and tendencies such as ---
- Fear
- Anger
- Frustration
- Worry
- Self-Doubt
- Self-Comparison
- Blame
- Dread
- Resentment/Envy
- Misconception that you need to try harder

"Hanging on" is a negative mental habit I have grappled with in the past, and it definitely affected my game. I would get so preoccupied with hanging on to the memory of a missed putt or errant drive that I would lose focus on my current shots and strategy, and then my game would suffer. I have known others who have hung on to bad shots for an entire round and even afterward, and they would keep talking about it. Thinking of your own game, you can probably recall some examples of "hanging on." What is it that you tend to hang on to? Maybe it's the memories of missed putts and poor shots like I did. You'll be doing yourself a favor by taking notice of this tendency, then doing something to curb it or cut it short.

A helpful tip that helped me to reduce my tendency for "hanging on" and is something I continue to practice is:

Consciously focus you attention on remembering the positive and letting go of the negative. Practice filling your "memory bank" with memories of good shots and positive outcomes and not "storing" thoughts of mistakes, problems, and poor shots. Think of it like putting thoughts of the negative moments in the trash. Leave your past in the past!

We'll have more practical tips on curbing this negative mental tendency for "hanging on" in our soon-to-be-released Positive Golf Handbook. Leave a comment on this blog about what you tend to hang on to on the course, and I'll email you some more of these tips.

Here's to great golf!

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

Positive Golf Improvement Project Update II

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Physical Practice #1: Lighten the grip pressure.

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

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

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

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

Here's to great golf!

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

Positive Golf Kudos

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

Here's to great golf!

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

Positive Golf Improvement Project Update

On January 1, 2008, I made a posting regarding my primary positive mental golf habit for practice in 2008. The one I chose was to improve my golf self-image. Even after many years of playing, with a lot of great rounds, a decent handicap, and several winning championships, I still don't have a consistently strong self golf-self image (how I see myself as a golfer). This heightens other negative mental habits, like self-doubt, self-comparison, and putting pressure on myself, and it also has a negative impact on my game. The negative golf self-image and its "cousins" tend to show up in my mind early in the season, just before a competition, particularly when I have been watching other golfers who are playing really well and comparing myself to them.

Last weekend was the Spring Medal event, which opens the season at the Club where I play. It was a good opportunity for me to give some focused attention to improving my golf self-image. I had noticed my old negative golf self-image tendency cropping up, and I was saying things to myself like, I'm a lousy putter, I'm not playing as well as I should, I'll never play as good as that guy, and I'm not good enough to win the championship again. And sure enough, this was all showing up in my practice and my playing, with tension and errant shots. The day before the event, I caught myself in this old habit and made a focused effort to practice the positive. I started by reminding myself that I do have good putting ability, which I have demonstrated before and I know I can do again. I went to the putting green with the conscious intention of having a positive putting practice (not with the dread of, I will probably putt badly again). I focused on the positive putting idea about myself (I have putted well before and I know I can do it again) and focused on getting in tune with some key putting feelings in my arms and hands that led to a smooth, relaxed stroke and accurate shots. It was a good practice, and I got myself in a good mindset to prepare me for the next day.

Here are some mental golf ideas that I practiced focusing on the day of the championship to keep me on the track of a positive golf self-image and a positive game:

1. I focused on my own game - my own abilities, my own targets, my own strategies - rather than focusing on others and how I was playing compared to them.

2. I focused on the things I can do, and I was doing well, rather than dwelling on weaknesses and mistakes that would erode my confidence.

3. I focused on playing the game to the best of my ability, rather than putting the pressure on myself of thinking, "You've won this before and people are expecting you to win this again."

These mental practices helped me to be more relaxed and confident than I had been so far this season, and I played better than I had so far. I was pleased with my putting too. Did I win the Spring Medal? No, I didn't, although I did tie for second in low gross, and I made sure to focus on the positivity of that (rather than dwelling on what I had not accomplished).

I am glad to be off to a good start this season, and with more practice on my positive golf self-image, blended with my repeatable swing drills, I am looking forward to a summer of great golf.

Here's to great golf for you too!

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


P.S. To learn how you can use other Positive Golf ideas like this to improve your game, check out our Golf Improvement Super Special - six e-books for a super price until May 15!

Positive Golf Kudos

This week, I am inspired to give Positive Golf Kudos to Tiger Woods in relation to his winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill. Tiger plays all aspects of the game so brilliantly, but of particular note is the strength of his mental game, which paves the way for the rest of his performance. This week gave us another prime example. As you know, he was tied with Bart Bryant coming in to the 18th hole, a high pressure situation for a golfer of any caliber. In preparing for the shot, it was what Woods thought - which led to what he did - that was so positive, productive, and powerful. Rather than cave in to negative, doubtful thoughts that would lead to tension, tightening, and quickening in his body, Woods kept telling himself, "I've done it before and I can do it again." This is how he described it: "I was so into the moment of the putt going in and winning the golf tournament. I kept telling myself, 'I've done this before.' I did it against Phil. And this time, it's a little bit deeper into the green, and the putt has a little more break, and it has a little more grain. I've done it before and I can do it again." He was referring to Phil Mickelson in 2001, the last time Woods made a birdie on the 72nd hole for a one-shot victory. And as we know, Woods made that 25-foot "miracle putt" at Bay Hill for a one-shot victory.

"I did it before and I can do it again" is a perfect example of utilizing the mental practice of remembering the good shots to help boost your confidence, something I referred to in my previous posting. The mental techniques that Woods uses are not, in and of themselves, "miraculous" or reserved for the "upper echelon." They are techniques that every golfer can use. The key is that Woods utilizes them so consistently and with such feeling and belief. He sets a superb example for utilizing Positive Golf mental practices that lead to outstanding Positive Golf experiences. Kudos to Tiger and kudos to all who strive to practice positive mental skills with diligence, belief, and enthusiasm!

Here's to great golf!

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

Positive Golf Tip - Remember the Good Shots

In my posting on January 1, 2008, I shared the "Primary Positive Mental Habit" that I had selected for extra practice in the coming year, and that is "Improve my golf self-image." I promised to give some ideas and tips that helped me in my practice throughout the season. Today, I'm sharing a tip from our forthcoming Positive Golf Handbook. The tip actually appears in the section of the book on Reducing Self-Doubt, but it is just as helpful for Improving Golf Self-Image (which has a lot to do with reducing self-doubt!). Here's the tip as it appears in the book. This is something that you can begin to practice right now when you are on and off the course. It really is the "little" things like this, when practiced consistently, that add up in a BIG way to boost confidence, self-image, and your entire golf mindset. Try it out...

Remember the Good Shots---

Confidence is invariably rooted in prior experiences, so we need something to draw on. - Dr. Gio Valiante in FEARLESS GOLF

A quality of successful golfers who practice mental habits that cultivate, rather than diminish, confidence, is that they remember the good shots and focus on these successes, rather than dwell on failures. So, it is not only that they positively interpret and "frame" obstacles and mistakes in a productive way, but it is also what they give focus and attention to as they move forward. The key is that successful golfers look at these mistakes in a productive way and learn from them, then they move on. Rather than continually looking back at these mistakes and filling themselves with fear and doubt, they focus on remembering the good shots they have hit, especially in challenging situations, and this gives them the powerful memory of success to draw upon. As the quote by sports psychologist Gio Valiante given above indicates, you need something positive to draw upon to help fuel confidence and the can-do attitude, and remembering the good shots (rather than the bad ones) does just that.

In the book EVERY SHOT MUST HAVE A PURPOSE, authors Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott tell us that, "One obstacle we all must overcome is that it is easier to remember our bad shots than it is to remember our good ones. Strangely, we all seem to have a tendency to not put enough value on what we do right..." If you are striving to reduce self-doubt and build confidence for you golf game, it is vital that you practice making it easier to remember the good shots and allowing these images to strengthen your belief in your ability to play golf. Here are some positive pointers to help you:

1. Consciously practice filling your memory bank with images and feelings of good shots. When you make a good one, tell yourself, "I'm going to remember that one."

2. Practice recalling your "good shot memories" as you drive to the course and prepare to play. Remind yourself, "I have the ability to make good shots."

3. Practice recalling your "good shot memories" when you are in a situation on the course where you feel fear, pressure, doubt, anxiety, or tension. Remind yourself, "I have the ability to make good shots."

4. After a mis-hit or errant shot, practice a positive interpretation of it and determine what you have learned that will help you move forward. Then, instead of dwelling on what you did wrong, practice recalling some "good shot memories" and remind yourself, "I have the ability to make good shots."

5. When you get to a point on the course where you recall making a mistake in a prior round, recall some good shot memories related to this same kind of shot and remind yourself, "I can make great golf shots. I can do this!"

Here's to a great golf mindset and a great game!

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

Positive Golf Tip - Practice Discipline and Consistency to Help Develop New Habits and Lasting Improvement

While watching the coverage of the Mercedes-Benz Championship over the weekend, I listened with particular interest to some remarks the commentators were making about Mike Weir on Saturday. They repeatedly pointed out that he is "incredibly disciplined" in his practice, his routine, and his fitness program. It is often Tiger's discipline that we hear more comments about, and it is Tiger who commonly comes to mind when there is talk of a disciplined approach to the game. But discipline is an essential aspect of the approach - and the success - of so many other tour players as well, including Mike Weir. This discipline isn't reserved only for the "upper eschelon" of players, however. It can be practiced by players of any level, including beginners who are starting at square one. If you want to make positive changes and improvements to your swing and your game, you too can not only practice discipline to help create change - you must practice it if you want the change to last!

By "discipline," I mean the focused, consistent practice of new ideas, new attitudes, new swing thoughts, and new swing techniques. It is the consistent practice of these things that leads to the establishment of new habits and permanent change. The discipline is what gets you to not only "just do it," but to keep on just doing it - day after day, week after week, month after month. This is what gets results. So, in choosing new mental and physical habits to develop in 2008 (see the previous post for what I chose), keep in mind the stick-to-itivenes that it takes to "habitualize" these new habits that will make a difference in your game, and stick to it! That's what works for Tiger, Annika, Mike Weir, and other disciplined players, and they are great examples and inspiration. They can do it, so can I, and so can you! We all have the potential for discipline and consistent, ongoing practice - we just need to call it up inside ourselves. Along those lines, here are a couple of great quotes from great people who accomplished great things:

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. - Thomas Edison

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing. - Abraham Lincoln

If you want some tools to help you with discpline and consistency, CLICK HERE for a great website with a bunch of articles and recordings that will help you stick-to-it for success, including the MP3 recording, "Persevere to Succeed."

Here's to your success!

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

Pick Your Positive Habits for Golf Improvement in 2008 ---

Positive mental habits are a fundamental aspect of enjoying more Positive Golf experiences. These positive habits go way beyond the practice of "thinking positively." They are more focused and specific, which helps them to be more powerful and effective in making your golf improvement a success. There is a wide array of these positive habits, ranging from reducing self-doubt and pressure on yourself to improving your focus and expectations. The most accomplished golfers practice many of these habits concurrently as a whole "mental package," not just one or two. That's the key to success, a "varied portfolio," if you will. At any one time, however, those more accomplished in mental golf habits may be giving particular attention and practice to one or two of these skills to strengthen and develop them even more. The Positive Golf Kudos I have posted in this blog throughout the year give examples of how some of the pros do this. On the other hand, those new to the deliberate practice of mental golf habits may also choose to give particular attention and practice to one or two of these skills at a time so they can strengthen their mindset in a stepwise fashion without feeling overwhelmed.

At TheHeartofGolf.com, my wife an I are continuing to develop and strengthen our "portfolios" of positive mental habits. While we have been aware of their value to Positive Golf experiences and have practiced some of them for several years, we are continuing in our "growth mode" to add new mental skills and strengthen the ones we have already started to build. To that end, we have each chosen one primary positive mental habit to give particular focus to this year (while continuing to practice the others). I have listed our choices below, and will provide updates related to developments in our practice and the related Positive Golf experiences that occur throughout the year.

Rick's Primary Positive Mental Habit for Practice in 2008:

Improve Golf Self-Image - Golf self-image is how you really view yourself, deep down, as a golfer. You might not be totally aware of how you view yourself, but it has a definite impact on your game nonetheless. It slips out in what seem like "subtle" ways, but believe me, it affects you. You might say or think things like, "I'm a lousy putter," or "my short game stinks," or "I"m an okay golfer," and that's what tends to "outpicture" for you. For me, I know I played on the golf team in college, won some championships, and had other accomplishments over the years, but deep down right now I don't have a consistently strong golf self-image. I'll catch myself thinking, "I'm not playing as well as I should," or "I'll never play as good as that guy," or "I'm not good enough to win that championship again," and that is what comes to pass. So, this year, I am going to practice developing and maintaining a positive, strong golf self-image (which will help improve other mental habits like self-doubt and putting pressure on myself). Maybe this mental golf habit sounds familiar to you too. I"ll be passing along tips and tools that help to improve this mental skill and lead to improvement in my game.

Christy's Primary Positive Mental Habit for Practice in 2008:

Improve Golf Self-Talk - Golf self-talk is that "inner dialogue" or "inner conversation" that goes on in your mind when you are playing and practicing. Sometimes, it is verbal too, when you say something out loud to yourself. When she started paying more attention to this mental skill, my wife was surprised to realize she had the habit of negative self-talk, with phrases frequently popping up in her mind like, "I'm not very coordinated," "I can't ever get the right tempo," or "I'll never fix this swing problem." Sometimes she would say these things out loud. Christy has realized that she is talking herself into negative outcomes with this kind of self-talk, and thereby limiting her improvement. Even as a motivational trainer that helps others, this is a deeply ingrained habit that she is working on with herself. This year, she has chosen to give particular attention and consistent practice to changing and improving this mental skill so it helps her rather than hinders her.

I encourage you to pick a mental habit for your golf improvement in 2008 as well. Our soon-to-be published Positive Golf Handbook can help you in choosing and practicing these habits for improvement. It's packed with pointers, checklists, and worksheets that you can use to practice positive mental skills on and off the course, and make changes that will transform your game. More details coming soon!

Here's to great golf in 2008!

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