Mind Training For Golf - Golf Tip No.36 http://www.MindTrainingForGolf.com Email this page The Best Time For Good Golf - And 2 Modes of Thought To Avoid! There is only one time you will ever play great golf - and believe it or not, that time is right now. No, I am not telling you to grab your clubs right now and go down to the course! (more's the pity, really!). I am saying that your best golf will mostly occur when your mind is not focused upon either the past or the future - and this only leaves you: the present moment! In golf, most self-sabotage - which is the most common reason for a bad round - comes from thinking about the past or future shots, instead of being in the present moment. Thinking about the past shots is almost synonymous with becoming 'dwelling on the negative', whilst thinking about the future, if not carefully monitored, can easily slip into having negative expectation about future shots to come. So generally the best way to keep your mind positive during your round is to ensure you keep your mind in the present moment, and off the past or future strokes. Interestingly, this is supported by the fact that we generally only click into the powerful mental state known as the "The Zone" (the mental state which produces our best possible level of play) when we happen to be in the present moment, which happens very rarely when we are worrying about past or future shots. And this is the same in almost every sport, not just golf. Of course, there is nothing to prevent you from using the past and future to your own golfing advantage - if you can manage to do it! This can be achieved by consciously extracting only the memories of your earlier good shots (which is fabulous positive reinforcement), or projecting positive images about your next shot (a form of moving visualization) - but you almost need to force your mind to do these tasks, as your mind can easily slip back into working against you unless it is closely monitored. As the great tennis player Arthur Ashe once said about tennis ("it's not a game where you have the luxury of thinking cumulatively"), and golf is very much the same, in that you cannot really afford to think too much about the past, or future - otherwise the present moment can become extremely unpleasant if you make a bad shot! So the easiest way to ensure your mind remains positive - and free of self-sabotage - is to use that ancient Zen principle - "be here now". By focusing on the now throughout your round, you will be ensuring that (once you're back in the clubhouse) the past round will be looking pretty good too!     "The Mind controls the body, and the mind is unlimited". The best of success, Craig Townsend       To take your game to the next level, use the Mind Training for Golf Program *Special Article - The 4 Major Beliefs for Golfing Success 1. Access Your Sleeping Giant Within 2. The Yips - Why Practicing (alone) Will NOT Fix It 3. The Enormous Power Of Visualization *** 4. Monitor Your Thoughts On The Course 5. The Zone 6. Classic Danger Times On The Golf Course 7. Use Slow Motion Segments In Your Visualization for Technical Problems 8. Controlling Negative Thoughts On The Course 9. The Key To Lasting Concentration 10. Dwelling On Past Shots Can Help Your Game! 11. Using 'Damage Control' On The Golf Course 12. You Never Have The Luxury Of Thinking Cumulatively 13. Make Mental Training Part of Your Round 14. Practicing Great, But Struggling In Competition? 15. Your Greatest Enemy On the Course 16. Overcoming Uncontrollables 17. Achieving Consistency 18. Try Some Reverse Psychology On The Golf Course 19. Less Is More: Why Trying Hard Can Cause Errors 20. Discover Your Peak Emotional State 21. The Mental Differences - Between Excellent and Average Golfers 22. Control Outside Influences Using Your Mind 23. Accelerated Learning in Golf: Master New Changes Quickly 24. Overcome Golf Injuries Faster 25. Play Within Your Comfort Zone 26. Being In Control Whilst Letting Go 27. Your Best Golf May Appear At The Most Unusual Times 28. Never Hit A Shot When This Happens! 29. Rehearse For Competition Golf 30. Make 'Tunnel Vision' A Part Of Your Game 31. Keep Your Game Insulated From Your Playing Partner 32. How to Never Stop Improving 33. Classic Mental Mistakes To Avoid 34. How To Stay In 'The Zone' Once You Get There! 35. Improvement - By Avoiding Self-Induced Pressure 36. The Best Time For Good Golf - And 2 Modes of Thought To Avoid! 37. How to Gain More Distance In Your Shots         Home Mental Training Archive Mind Training Program Custom Hypnosis Contact / Bio Motivational Golf Quotes FAQ      © Copyright 2000 - 2014 Craig Townsend - It's Mind over Matter A mental training golf instruction site for golf improvement including books, videos and and DVDs on tiger woods, golf psychology, jack nicklaus, ben hogan, mind relaxation, confidence, putting secrets,. on golf psychology, relaxation, yips info, confidence, mental training, sports psychology, motivation, golf courses, golf lessons, PGA, equipment, shafts, confidence, relaxation, visualization, visualisation, positive thinking, hypnosis, mental, mind, golf clubs, masters, australian, strokes, tips, world rankings, advice. Birthday and gift ideas.