| The game of golf can be broken down into two | | | | are like most of us, you have probably suffered from |
| parts: muscle memory and the mental game. Muscle | | | | an inter-dialogue on the golf course in which you |
| memory is simple. So long as you have a decent | | | | berate yourself for not performing the way you |
| swing you can lower your handicap by increasing your | | | | should. Not only is this a surefire way to ruin a good |
| muscle memory and you do that by, of course, | | | | time, it will have a tremendous effect on your stoke |
| putting in range time. By contrast, the mental game is | | | | average. Thinking too far ahead on the golf course |
| something that is as complex as the human mind | | | | can actually put you behind and will most certainly |
| itself and even professional golfers who have muscle | | | | throw you off your game. Perhaps the most |
| memory down could endure occasional breakdowns | | | | bankable skill possessed by great golfers is their |
| of their mental games. How, then, is an amateur like | | | | ability to quiet the mind. To them, every single shot is |
| you supposed to master the mental game? Well, a | | | | a new game of golf. This advice may seem |
| number of mental practices you can put in your bag | | | | contradictory to tips given the prior paragraph, but it |
| will shave more strokes off your game then any | | | | is not. On your rational surface level, you are |
| gimmicky golf ball. | | | | considering golf course management, but now you |
| The mental game has multiple layers of depth just | | | | are a level deeper in focus, the rational brain has said |
| like the human mind. First, let's discuss your rational | | | | its piece and you are focused solely on making the |
| mind and what it has to do with course management. | | | | shot. Just like all good decisions are born from a |
| If you don't play very often, or even if you do, you | | | | peaceful and focused mind so is all good shot making. |
| have probably noticed a heightened sense of | | | | However, none of these states of mind are |
| awareness on the golf course at times; not just | | | | achievable if they are not built on a solid foundation |
| when you notice the birds chirping or the wind | | | | of gratitude. What does that mean? Someone once |
| blowing - it's more than that. You get in a zone of | | | | said, "Golf is a good walk spoiled." It sure can be if |
| thinking like a pro. That means you know your exact | | | | you don't cultivate a mentality of gratitude. When |
| yardage, which way the wind is blowing, out of | | | | you get to the first tee box take a minute to |
| bounds is to the right, sand traps are short left, long | | | | appreciate all that is taking place; you are playing a |
| is bad, you have a flier lie, the air is heavy and last | | | | game with your buddies for a few hours, the air |
| time you hit a seven iron from the same spot you | | | | smells fresh, you have 18 holes in front of you to |
| came up short. Making this mental address to the golf | | | | make good shots and a 19th hole if you need to |
| ball is every bit as important as hitting the right club. | | | | drown a bad outing in a whisky sour. Regardless of |
| Smart folks say that what determines a decent | | | | anything, you are privileged to spend a few hours of |
| round is not how good your good shots are, but | | | | life playing one of the greatest games on earth. If |
| rather how bad your bad shots are; you must take | | | | you can truly achieve that feeling inside your body, |
| every measure to increase your chance of success if | | | | that my friend, is the fulfillment of your deepest level |
| you don't hit a perfect shot. | | | | - the golfer's soul. |
| Next, you have to tackle you harsh golf superego | | | | Read about bowling terminology and bowling tips for |
| and subdue its power. Often your golf superego can | | | | beginners at the Bowling Lessons website. |
| make you suffer from a "Tyranny of Shoulds." If you | | | | |