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NWO Golf Links
DO YOU HAVE A BEHAVIOR
on the course that tends to
sabotage your play? I don’t mean
an off drive or an unfocused
putt. I mean a lack of perspective
with your game. Perspective is a
foundation outlook that steers
our life on and off of the course
and it can have a direct impact
with our enjoyment and success
of the game.
Let’s just say that you miss two
short putts on consecutive holes.
You may be apt to start beating
yourself up and talking down
to yourself saying things like,
“You idiot! You’re terrible! That’s
the second one in a row. You
don’t even know how to putt.
You need a lesson. Why bother?
You’ll never improve at putting.”
etc., etc…
Have you ever heard of the
phrase, “negative thought
chain”? One negative thought
leads to another and another,
and pretty soon our minds are
running away in a self-loathing,
angry, tension built spiral to
disappointment! When thought
chains start, it is suggested to
visualize a big stop sign and
say the word, “Stop!” Many
people have used this type of
method on the course and it has
prevented golfers from getting
into emotional fits and helps
them gain perspective and move
on. Most importantly, it curbs
the tone of cranky self-talk and
criticism.
Now, it is also justified to validate
yourself and your frustrations
periodically.
We work really hard to be
successful at things in life
and when our achievements
are not measuring up to
our expectations, it can be
disheartening.
It is quite natural to be upset after
a bad shot or an embarrassing
round and want to let off some
steam. The key is to be aware of
the extent of your reactions and
keep reactions short-lived and
with perspective.
Once this happens, you can
actually learn fromyourmistakes
and strive for improvement
next time instead of convincing
yourself that things will never
get better.
This will allow you to do several
things--
including
staying
calm or quickly settling down;
figuring out what you need to
do differently (it may be to slow
down, check alignment, adjust
swing mechanics, etc.) and
then take new action as soon as
possible by applying the fix.
You will find that by keeping
your head up throughout a
round, you will actually have
more fun; appreciate the beauty
of the course, enjoy and engage
with your company; and feel an
overall satisfaction of the game
with a renewed competitive
spirit. .
So next time you’re on the
course, remember to keep your
head up. If your perspective
alone doesn’t make you
smile, the improvement of
your game will!
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP
to Keep Your Golf Score Down!
DR. DEITRA
HICKEY, PHD
When
thought
chains
start, it is
suggested
to visualize
a big stop
sign and say
the word,
“Stop!”