Preparing for PGA Q-School

I’ve had a couple of great experiences at Nationwide Monday qualifiers. They are helping me to keep my game sharp in preparation for PGA Q-School.

In one instance, I was well on my way to making the cut when a butterfly started swirling around my head. Just as I swung, it landed on my ball. If I’d been Tiger, I would have stopped my swing. Now I know better as my ball went out of bounds.

In the other qualifier, I missed three putts inside of four feet, something I almost never do. That was a wake-up call never to neglect in practice what I am good at.

I’ve been focused on my long game a lot. It’s coming around. I’m feeling good about it. But, I sure know now that, in a pinch, it’s my short game that has saved me in the past and will in the future.

Figuring Out How to Get the Golf Ball in the Hole Faster

I spent an awesome day with sports psychologist Rick Jensen from the Performance Center at the PGA National Resort and Spa, Palm Beach, Florida (http://www.pgaperformancecenter.com/tigertank.htm).

I learned so much about myself. For example, how I think during my short game that gets me good to great results most of the time. How I haven’t used these thinking skills well enough for my long game. Where I can sharpen my “champion’s thinking”.

My biggest “aha” is to focus more on “out there” (the target) and less on “in here” (the mechanics). I knew it before but needed someone to show me practical ways to get myself out of the way. I couldn’t do it without Rick’s help in identifying what about me was in the way! It’s not easy to see yourself.

I feel more positive and confident. I now know better how to practice and to be my own self-improvement coach both on and off the golf course.