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How to Play Fearless Golf
By Staffan Moritz
The person who is relaxed and confident plays a better game of golf than one whose knees are shaking at the thought of sand traps. Fear is one thing you never want to take with you to the driving range.
Before we begin, know that my goal is to give you as much useful information as I can fit in this article.
One of the biggest problem every golfer has to face is the mental aspect. Thinking clearly really is the name of the game. And thinking clearly is not possible when fear reigns.
So if you change the way you think, your game will change. Don’t worry why the ball flew where it did. Just keep your focus on the next shot.
Some golfers constantly worry what others will think of them if they make a bad shot. If you’re thinking about how someone else is going to perceive you, you’re not focusing on the ball, on your swing, on the basics.
Who cares if others don’t like your game. In the grand scheme of life, is hitting a bad shot truly a disaster you can never overcome?
Psychologists tell us that we tend to become a composite of the five persons we spend the most time with. Maybe you need to find some more relaxed friends to practice with.
If you constantly play with perfectionist you will not enjoy the game as much. Find friends you can play with just for the sake of having fun. Your game will likely improve as you’re less tense and able to swing more freely.
Ben Hogan wrote that “to ignore the gallery and the other golfers, and to shut my mind against everything but my own game” was key to his success.
Worrying about what others think creates inconsistency. You’re overly aggressive one second and overly conservative the next.
So what is the key?
Focus on the target, not the situation. Ignore the stakes. Just concentrate on your game. Sounds simple? well, it is.
Even top players have to refine their skills every year. They’re making small improvements in little ways that add up. You’re not always going to play your best game, and you’ll never play a perfect one – no matter how skilled you are. Focus on correcting little faults and your game will gradually get better and better.
Forget about your bad shots. As Tiger Woods says, “I hit it and forget it.” You can’t go back in time and change a shot, so just forget about it and prepare for your next shot.
You’ll soon become a master of fearless golf!
S² Tip
Focus on the target, not the situation. Ignore the stakes. Just concentrate on your game.
Success Story
Congratulations to Henrik Stenson on winning the PGA Tour Playoffs. Two years ago Stenson was outside of the top 200 in the world! Way to stay focused and keep fighting Henrik!
In Another’s Words…
“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.”
– Arnold Palmer, golfer