"Every stick has two ends"
A positive mental attitude is a fundamental factor in enjoying a fun game of golf. Choosing a perspective to evaluate one's performance while still retaining the balance of enjoyment with seriousness is the fine line good golfers walk. One author states "there are three bones in golf, a wishbone, a funnybone and a backbone".
Golf, perhaps more than any other sport exposes our humanness. As a game of mistakes, it becomes crucial that one retain their cool regardless of the results. Fear of not conforming to an expectation is perhaps the greatest fear in golf. Decisiveness and trust in action will help overcome this fear, but only persistence and perseverance will defeat it. People play for different reasons, but in the end, it is to have fun.
| The Minds Eye |
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"Everything becomes what you treat it as"* *even if it takes a while.
A positive, honest frame of mind provides a reason for events that happen. Maintaining that things happen for a reason allows one to at least feel somewhat in control of the conditions of the situation. Taking responsibility for ones actions and not judging oneself too harshly creates the relaxed but focused atmosphere in which good golf is played. |
The Rite Time
Developing a standardized ritual of setting up the address position will allow the conscious part of the mind to play its role in the golf swing. Athletic moves are best made the the athlete tis totally absorbed in what they are doing. This implies that the conscious thinking part of the brain has allowed a flow of motion to occur. It is easy to keep something moving after it has been put into motion.
The setup routine is a process of which the swing is a part of. All determinations and calculations are made before the setup routine is begun. This pattern should be used on each and every shot. Once begun, the routine is a rhythm and feeling from beginning to finish.
Concentration
Concentration is the product of intended involvement to any given situation. The basis of concentration is selective attention. Being able to focus on one element at a time to the exclusion of everything else is the most notable attribute good players carry with them. By placing oneself in an attentive listening attitude, the mind can be relaxed.
Next Chapter: The Game Plan