Using the Strengths of My Mental Style

I took a “Mental Golf Workshop” test after finishing my last tournament. What an eye-opener!

My coaches since I started golf have always talked to me about things I can do to get better at the mental side of golf. I have grown over the years, such as worrying less about the score and more about the shot I have to make. I’ve tried to stay positive too and control my emotions in the moment. But, I have known all along that there’s much more to the “mental game of golf”.

In many ways, it’s been hard to figure out what to do. I like concrete ideas. The mental part is not that way. So, the great thing about the test is that it’s explained the mental part in more detail and it gave me practical ways to improve.

Take the competitive part of my nature. It came out as really dominant. That’s good especially for pressure situations. On the flip side, I can try too hard and create tension that hurts my performance.

I also learned something I’ve known for a while: my results orientation and aggressiveness on the course can lead to wasted shots.

The great part about the test is that it spelled out specific practices for four important areas of the game: goal-setting, pre-round preparation, mental tendencies over the ball and course management.

I’ve got a break now in the Gateway Tour. I will use it to try out the tips from the test.

One of the big ideas is about positive energy and positive self-talk. The test advised me to “gear down”. When my competitive nature tells me “you should have done better”, turn it into “what can I learn from this”? or just let it go. The positive fuel creates positive energy.

Overall, the suggestions focus on managing tension. My competitiveness increases tension. So, I’m going to work on some practices that help me relax more while I keep my competitive focus.

Going on Right Track

I’ve settled down, playing more conservative, smart golf. I’m still looking to win. I know that I’ve got to use good judgment about how to get there.

My putting is better. I’m making longer putts based on what I learned in December from one of my coaches.

My hitting is still a work in progress. I’m not comfortable yet with my hitting average.

The Gateway Tour has a solid record of preparing golfers for the Nationwide and the PGA circuit. So, I’m focusing on practicing and playing.

I’ve made many friends who play regularly on the Gateway. That’s a real plus.

Mental Lapses

My coach from Kent State, Herb Page, would have some expressions for what I did this week on the golf course. But, I can’t put them down in print!

I didn’t do well, not because of technique. I wasn’t using my head. I forgot all I’ve been teaching myself: stay in routine, do the same thing at the same pace, keep my mind quiet and in the moment and focus on what I want for the shot.

Instead I veered from my routine: I tried some experimenting, letting my analytical self interfere. Herb knows all about this. So does Steve.

I was aggressive on too many holes when I should have played conservatively. There are just too many hazards on the course to be taking chances. Once things started getting disastrous, I couldn’t stick to the moment. Nasty!

Live and learn. Those mental lapses can sneak up and take over. I let my mind play tricks on me and my judgment went out the window.

I am going in the right direction though and feel good about how I am progressing. Next week, I’ll have a chance to get back into routine.

A Good Start for 2007

I played decent today in my first tournament for the year. On the plus side, my putting is better. But, my shots off the tee are still not consistent enough.

Over the holiday break, I learned that I had two problems with my putting---acceleration and timing. After hitting the ball, I was not letting go but pushing more. On timing, for the total putt, I was taking way too long on my back swing. I learned this from my new putting coach who has some great machines that give you brutal feedback.

He compared my putting to Tiger’s. Based on time to release, I was still on my back swing when Tiger had finished both the back and the front swing.

It’s been interesting. I am working on slowing down my follow through and speeding up my back swing.

I could feel the difference these last three days. It’s helping me on distance control where speed is more of a factor in accuracy to the hole.