Using
'Damage Control' On The
Golf Course
Minimizing
the 'fallout' from a
bad shot or hole is essential
if you are to finish
with a good round. This
is a big part of golf
psychology, and there
are several ways to do
this.
First
of all, whenever you do miss
an easy shot (and everyone
does some time), it's
important to lessen
the emotional impact of
the negative thoughts that
go through your mind. This
helps reduce the fallout
and stops your emotions
ruining the remainder of
the round. The way to do
this is to choose words
which are less potent,
using cute words which
have no harmful qualities
whatsoever.
For
instance, one golfer told
me that he has a friend
who, instead of saying
#@&%!!!
after missing a shot, says
(with the very same amount
of conviction and annoyance
in his voice) "you
donkey!".
Now, it's difficult to
take a comment like that too seriously!
This means that the emotional
impact of
the statement has been
diminished, and this allows
you to get back on track
for your next shot with
a clear mind.
Secondly, don't
worry about
the fact that you are
getting annoyed -
it's perfectly natural,
and will not affect
the rest of your round
as long as you observe
a couple of important
things: ensure that
you diminish the negative
thoughts with less
harmful words, and
then, most importantly, move
on.
Get over it - leave
it behind, erase it
from the memory bank,
and then, re-focus
upon the next shot.
Re-focusing
upon the next shot is vital,
as this takes your mind
off the last shot - and the annoyance
of the last shot will not go
away until you do this. It's
fine to get upset, but
don't stay upset,
move on and forget about
it, and this will ensure
you can still play with
a sound and clear mind.
So
remember that it's fine
to blow up after a bad
shot, but reduce the fallout
by using some different
words, which reduce
the importance of
the situation, and hence
the anger. Then, move
on -
and re-focus your mind
onto the next shot. This
system will never steer
you too far from the winner's
circle.
"The
Mind controls
the body,
and the
mind is
unlimited".
The best of success, Craig Townsend
