“All great contests at some point become head games. It does not matter if it is Politics and elections, military campaigns or sporting events, in the end it is about keeping your head and your heart for the fight.”After watching South Africa’s 2010 Soccer World Cup, Bill Clinton spoke to the media.
What is the purpose of playing golf? Are you trying to outdo the other players or for the competitive element? Do you want to push yourself, see what you can do? Are you simply looking for fun? Are you a performance-oriented person? If so, how do you feel about your enjoyment of your performances?
It doesn’t matter how motivated you may be, you will find yourself a happier person if your play improves. Everyone wants to have fun and play easily without worrying about embarrassing or making mistakes.
Next time you’re playing, try this strategy. You don’t need to play 18 holes. Don’t even consider playing just one hole. The holes don’t have any numbers and there aren’t holes. It is just a walking path along which you can hit your ball one at a time.
1.Standing over your shot, pick the exact point on the fairway you wish the ball to land. Visualize the trajectory, flight and bounce of the ball at that exact point. Describe the shot internally to yourself, as if you were hitting it. You should be realistic. Only pick shots that you feel confident hitting.
Step 2These are your options. ExactWrite down your thoughts. These words will be written down until they are mastered. “I do not care if the ball does not do exactly as I have imagined the perfect shot to be. I will completely accept the shot and be happy even if it does not finish exactly where I have planned. I play this shot merely for enjoyment and for the personal interest and challenge of just this one shot.”
Step 3Make a practice swing to replicate the swing you think you will need in order for the ball to reach your target. Look at your targets and go through your set-up. Then, swing the ball away and focus in on the back.
Step 4Take a look at where the ball is going and, if so, congratulate your self. It is possible to even use the word “congratulations” “YES!”Feel the emotion. If it’s a good shot, you should celebrate it. Next, forget about it. Then, recompose. Only one shot is needed, the next one is yours. It is not a game. There are no holes, pars, or birdies. You can only play one single golf shot and it will be your turn.
Important Alternative Step 4. If your shot is not what you intended. Don’t be discouraged if your shot doesn’t go as planned. Once you have put the club back in your bag, try to imagine everything going completely neutral. Consider what is more important in life than playing the game of golf. Instead, listen to music and chat with someone. It is just one shot, and the next is yours. You will soon be able to play the next one, there is only one shot, and that’s it.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 until you reach your ball. Keep going until your ball is out of the hole on the green.
This is possible. Is it possible to learn how to take each shot one at a while and remain fully present? Are you able to ignore results and the meanings they may have? Can you play just for the thrill of playing golf and seeing how focused you are on one shot at a time? These are the things that will help you improve your ability to stay focused on one shot at a given time.