| What is mental toughness? Is it being able to grind | | | | feel and how I'll perform, not the other player or |
| out a good score when things aren't going so well on | | | | what might be happening around me." MacKinzie |
| the course? Or is it the mental ability to stay strong | | | | Kline's mindset is the epitome of what mental |
| and committed in spite of distractions and on-course | | | | toughness is. |
| circumstances? | | | | It's almost routine to watch some frustrated whiner |
| Of course it is both of these things and more. Yet | | | | on the course toss his club 20 yards down the |
| mental toughness isn't something you simply acquire | | | | fairway after a bad shot. Or complain about all the |
| in the spur of the moment or when you "think you | | | | bad breaks they get, why the bunker wasn't raked |
| need it." No, it's more of an overall mindset. A | | | | properly, how the cup wasn't cut right, and on and |
| perspective on the game that allows you to tap | | | | on. Player after player, when faced with some |
| another level within your mental game. | | | | adversity, fold like a cheap suit and succumb to the |
| Mental toughness is developed and built over time. | | | | inertia of their own inner weakness. |
| Once you have a degree of mental toughness, | | | | And then there's this 14-year-old girl with only three |
| access to it when it matters becomes easier and | | | | valves in her heart with more character and heart |
| easier. Like any new skill it habituates over time. An | | | | than any of us could hope to have. |
| increased inner resolve that generates consistent, | | | | Mental toughness is a state of mind that keeps your |
| confident swings. | | | | attention on each task. Each shot. Each moment. |
| Do you have the mental toughness of a | | | | MacKinzie Kline is committed to her mental game. She |
| 14-year-old-girl? I don't think even Tiger does. | | | | is committed to herself. |
| Seriously. Is your golfing mindset solid and committed | | | | She accepts complete responsibility for her results |
| in the many scenarios that unfold in your game? Do | | | | and places no blame outside of herself for her |
| you have as strong a mind as young MacKinzie Kline, | | | | circumstances. Amazing. Most everyone would agree |
| the 14-year-old golfing phenom? She is incredibly | | | | she has a right to feel self pity. That doesn't happen |
| mentally tough. | | | | with her for even a moment. Her diminutive stature |
| She was born with only three valves in her heart and | | | | disguises a towering mental game giant. |
| her kidney was on the wrong side of her body. | | | | She chooses how she'll experience herself on the golf |
| Having gone through several operations in her life, | | | | course. Knowing mental toughness is a decision. A |
| she built a toughness. She went on to qualify for the | | | | commitment to an inner ideal that is bigger then the |
| Women's Amateur at the age of 14. She's already | | | | outcome of any one shot, or game. She chose to |
| had three aces - and one of them was caught on | | | | accept ownership of her internal state and how she'll |
| film! | | | | perform. |
| Yet as she continued to play she began to feel | | | | Tiger is unquestionably the dominant force in the |
| extremely short of breath. She was forced to take | | | | game and is so mainly because of his mental |
| an oxygen tank with her as she played and use it | | | | toughness. Yet I would place young MacKenzie Kline |
| between holes. Nothing would stop her from | | | | along side him any day if forced to choose the |
| competing. Imagine lugging an oxygen tank around | | | | mental game giants in golf. |
| the course with you and remaining focused on each | | | | It sure makes our own weakness on the course |
| shot! | | | | seem pathetic, doesn't it? |
| Concerned, the doctors investigated what might be | | | | Wade Pearse is a Peak Performance Coach who |
| causing her shortness of breath and discovered she | | | | spent 7 years applying the most advanced mental |
| had a hole in her heart which they had missed some | | | | game strategies in golf with his clients and in his own |
| time before that. So she underwent another | | | | game with phenomenal results. His website is filled |
| operation. | | | | with mental game resources and is 100% focused on |
| She has a mental toughness that keeps her in her | | | | developing the inner game. |
| game and completely centered in each moment. | | | | Wade Pearse |
| Regardless of the circumstances. She has decided to | | | | Keeping you on target! |
| play with a mindset that says, "I determine how I | | | | |