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Mind
Training For
Golf - Golf
Tip No.35
http://www.MindTrainingForGolf.com
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Improvement
- By Avoiding Self-Induced Pressure
A
vast amount of
the common problems
in golf are caused
by mental
pressure (eg.
playing a poor
18th, the yips,
missing easy
putts etc) -
yet interestingly,
probably the
most common
form of
pressure is self-induced, or
stress that we
have placed upon
ourselves to
play well.
The
good news is that
this means that
most golfers have
an incredible scope for
further improvement
- if we can only reduce the
amount of self-induced
pressure which
causes our game
to self-destruct
when the heat is
on.
Of
course, there are
also pressures
that are not self-induced
- however it's
better for us to
focus upon those
pressures which
we can control,
as this frees up
our resources to
deal with these
other pressures.
Self-induced
pressure can be
applied in various
ways, but mainly
through the thoughts
we think, and the
words we use. Some
classic pressure
thought examples
are listed below
- plus some possible positive ways
of dealing with
the same situation:
- Pressure
Thought 1:
"Now that I've birdied
those two holes, I must stay in front
and protect this lead".
(This is trying to protect a lead - which is focusing upon your
playing partner's score - an uncontrollable - and trying to maintain instead
of better your lead over them).
The Positive Approach:
"I'm going to continue focusing upon my own performance, and move even
further ahead!"
(This is focusing upon something which is within your control ie.
your own game - instead of the uncontrollable, your opponent's game).
- Pressure
Thought 2:
"What
a shocker of a first hole, I've blown
the whole round already!"
(Getting frustrated and mentally giving
up after just one or two early bad
shots - and continuing to focus upon those
bad shots as you move further into your
round).
The Positive
Approach:
"That's just one shot - I'm not going to let it affect my entire round by
focusing upon it - I need to focus upon my next shot instead".
(Reminding yourself that it is only one
shot, and that in order to isolate the
fallout from this shot, you must not dwell
upon it any longer, but get on with the rest
of your of your round and focus upon each shot
as they arise).
- Pressure
Thought 3:
"I must birdie this hole if I'm going to shoot 80".
(Putting pressure upon your immediate performance,
warning that it must be of a certain standard
- and focusing upon the final outcome instead
of each individual shot, a classic recipe
for stress-induced failure and frustration).
The Positive
Approach:
"I'm going to focus on one shot at a time, and the score will take
care of itself".
(Putting focus back on the now instead of the final outcome
- reducing the pressure placed upon each shot and allowing yourself to
hit each shot more freely and in a more relaxed state).
- Pressure
Thought 4:
"You
complete &*^%$ idiot, how could
you possibly miss that shot?!!"
(Very emotionally rebuking
oneself for a poor performance, and continuing
to focus upon this shot for 5-10 minutes
- increasing the pressure upon
your future shots, and the likelihood
that this one shot it will negatively affect
the remainder of the round).
The Positive
Approach:
"OK, that was a dumb shot! But I've got to let that go now - it's
history - and focus upon each shot coming up, I can't afford to let this shot
bother me".
(Admitting to yourself that it was not
what you wanted - with a little emotional
release which is fine, as long it is kept
short and contained to that one
shot - and not dwelled upon for longer
than a few minutes, or carried into the remainder
of your round).
These
are just 4 of the
more classic examples
of self-induced
pressure which
get regularly applied
each day on a golf
course - there
are plenty of other
examples but these
were just mentioned
to highlight these
important facts:
a) We do in fact put a great deal of pressure
upon ourselves
b)
We can choose
to react differently and
take a different
course of action,
and
c)
We must constantly
be aware of observing
our thoughts,
words and actions on
the course, to
ensure that we extract
the utmost from
our game by reducing
these self-induced
pressures.
So
try the experiment
of cutting
yourself a little
slack -
you may be surprised
at just how well
you may play!
"The
Mind controls the body, and the mind is unlimited".
The best of success, Craig Townsend
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