Here is a free golf lesson as we ask the question, “Does mental training actually work?”

YES, it works like you wouldn’t believe. The mind controls the body which means if the mind is off, the body doesn’t have a chance.

I just had to write this post today after my dad fired his best score in years. Read on to see what he shot.

He was three over at the turn and then proceeded to shoot 2 under on the back 9 for a one over par score of 73! I was so fired up. My dad has been working hard lately on his mental approach to the game and I love seeing the results. He read a great tip in a book by Jim Flick last week that really brought everything together. Here is the tip; You have to become your own best friend on the golf course.

Is that well said or what? When your best friend hits a poor tee shot, what do you say? Do you tell them how lousy of a person they are and how they’ll never play the game well so why even try. Of course not. You immediately encourage them to hit the next one well? Why then do you beat yourself up when you hit a bad shot? Isn’t that a good question?

This game is hard enough. Don’t let your own mind make it worse. You have got to become your own best friend on the course. And even beyond friend, become your own coach. Your mind has the unique ability to encourage itself if you train it to do so. Your brain is so powerful, it can have a thought, then think about that thought, and then decide what to do with that thought. Is that cool or what? No other creature on the planet has this ability. Make it your secret weapon. If you will simply become intentional about which thoughts can stay and which have to go, your game will go places you never imagined.

Next time you duff one off the tee, you will be faced with a choice; beat yourself up or pick yourself up. I’m telling you that one of those options is infinitely better than the other. Take a different mental approach with you to the first tee next time and see what happens. You may just have  a “lowest score in years” headed your way. Will you give it a shot?

Homework Assignment: Make a tee time and decide that your only goal for the entire round is to be your own best friend and coach. Make score irrelevant for the entire 18 holes. Talk yourself through each and every shot only using words that a great friend and coach would use. I promise it will make a difference.

And way to go Pops! You have many, many more fantastic rounds to come and I hope I’m there for every one. It’s a blast to watch.

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure and check back soon.
  Mike

1 more great thought - you should tell all your golfing buddies about my web site. I thank you in advance for the referrals!

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