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