Golf starts in the brain
We live in an amazing area that trains and promotes the sport of golf. Golf has become a pride and joy of where we live.
Q A player has hit the ball in an unintended position. What would your advice be in order to refocus for their next shot?
1. Slow Down. Players should never rush on the golf course.
2. Address the ball without a club in your hand. This will help you visualize all possible shots.
3. Look in all possible directions and trajectories. Don't get locked in to looking only forward and up.
4. Choose the shot you want to hit. Make sure in this selection that you consider potential trouble if the balls comes out "through" or "long" on your intended line in case the ball comes out great or "hot".
5. Pick a specific target once you have chosen your shot. Don't just "punch out". Punch out to a specific target in the fairway.
Q What can a player do to maximize their golf game?
There are a lot of ways to answer this question. Let me start by saying you don't have to hit 310 yard drives every hole, make four 20 foot putts every round, or hit towering 4-irons over water to a tucked pin. Are these possible? Yes! Are these fun? You bet. But they don't guarantee great golf. Great golf is about being extraordinary at the ordinary things. Great golf is about not wasting shots.
Here is a list of a few things I call the 5 No's of the game:
1. No penalty shots off the tee.
2. No 3-putts inside 40 feet.
3. No bogeys with a wedge from your approach to the green.
4. No bogeys on a par 5.
5. No doubles or worse.
If you can accomplish these 5 things, you will shoot a 75 or better each round!
Q I work with many professionals and frequently get asked, "What are the pros thinking of when they tee off?"
Well, like you they are thinking they want to shoot a low score or break 70 (maybe 80 or 90 for you) or get off to a good start or some other result. But unlike you, that's not all they are thinking - they are focusing on the keys that will lead to those results.
A "key" is something that you believe will help you play well. It is a controllable action that leads to desired results. Examples of a key are great separation between shots, commitment before you walk into a shot, or walking slow all day to keep and even tempo.
So thinking about the result you want is completely normal, it's just incomplete. It doesn't tell you what to do. It's way more important to focus on the keys that will produce the result than the result itself.
Q What are some productive key thoughts from some of the PGA players?
1. Compete. Compete. Compete.
2. Tempo. Tempo. Tempo.
3. Nothing! Nothing will stop me today.
4. Invite the challenge.
5. Play the course. (Not the score)
6. Win the internal battles, wait on the external results.
7. Play, think, act like a champion today.
8. Simple = Success
9. I overcome. I don't complain or whine. I overcome.
10. Commit. Execute. Accept. Repeat.
Dr. Morris Pickens is an accomplished Sports Psychologist and Performance Enhancement Specialist at the Sea Island Golf Performance Center. He is also the author of Learn to Win: One Shot at a Time, Learn to Win: A Major, and The Winning Way in Golf and Life. In addition to coaching athletes, Dr. Pickens offers performance advice to a wide variety of corporations. His mission statement is to glorify God by helping others passionately pursue their dreams.
