| Playing golf relaxed and confidently | | | | golfers, and to shut my mind against |
| makes for a much better game than being | | | | everything but my own game." |
| frightened at the thought of the | | | | Worrying about what others think may |
| hazards. Fear is not something that you | | | | make your game inconsistent. You are |
| should take along with you to the | | | | careful one second and aggressive the |
| driving range. | | | | next. |
| When a good player begins to have | | | | What is the key? You need to focus on |
| problems, they are usually mental in | | | | your target and not who you are with or |
| nature. Clear thinking should be your | | | | where you are at. Ignore everything |
| main goal in playing golf. When you | | | | around you. Concentrate fully on your |
| start to feel fearful, clear thinking is | | | | game. |
| not possible. If you can change | | | | Perfectionism can ruin your game |
| your thinking, you can help your game. | | | | enjoyment and cause ulcers. Great |
| There is no need to worry about why the | | | | players rework their skills each year. |
| ball went the way it did. Keep your | | | | They are always refining their game in |
| mind on the next shot and focus. | | | | little ways, which add up. You are not |
| A major problem for some golfers is that | | | | always going to play a great game and |
| they are worried what others will think | | | | you will never play a perfect game no |
| if they make a bad shot. If you are | | | | matter how many skills you master. If |
| concentrating on what others think, then | | | | you will work to improve the little |
| you are not concentrating on your shot, | | | | problems, then your golf game will get |
| the ball, your swing, or the basics. | | | | better and better. |
| Is it necessary to have the approval of | | | | Keeping a wide smile helps to relax your |
| others? Is hitting a bad shot going to | | | | face and will help to decrease anxiety |
| completely ruin your life? | | | | also. Make smiling a habit before you |
| It is the theory of some psychologists | | | | hit the ball instead of tensing your |
| that we become a composite of the five | | | | face. |
| people that we are with the most. You | | | | Mistakes should stay in the past. Tiger |
| may need to find more relaxed golfers to | | | | Woods even says, "I hit it and forget |
| play and practice with. | | | | it." Forget about the shot and move on, |
| If you play golf with a perfectionist, | | | | because you cannot go back and replay |
| this may not be very much fun. Why ruin | | | | it. |
| the golf game for yourself? Find people | | | | Keep your mind off what others will |
| to play with that enjoy the game. The | | | | think about your shots. If you can get |
| way you play will improve because you | | | | over that fear, then your game will |
| are having more fun, are less keyed up, | | | | definitely improve! When you play your |
| and are able to swing better. | | | | next golf game, keep a clear mind and |
| If you concentrate completely on your | | | | think confidently. |
| game, this can help you to beat your | | | | You will soon overcome your fear and |
| fear. Ben Hogan's key to concentrate | | | | become a master of golf! |
| was "to ignore the gallery and the other | | | | |