Mental Game
The game of golf is as much about the psychology of ball striking as it is the physiology of swing mechanics. I offer a four lesson mental game series of lessons for anyone wanting to go in depth with the mental aspects of proper shot making. In the upcoming months I will be posting helpful ideas that can be of significant help.
Living Golf Lesson 4: The Power of Mindset
May 3, 2012
Lesson # 4 The Power of Mindset
When we ask ourselves the question what is it that we really want and are willing to take the time to ponder what it is, we begin a process of opening our minds to our ultimate potential. It requires conscious focus to maintain our own directions and not simply follow the proven ways that it has always been done. External forces and an acceptance of the way it is will never allow for an expansion of thought processes that our spirit would like to achieve.
When we become enabled to set our mind on a positive open acceptance of what is possible, enthusiastic energy begins to support a powerful desire to move above and beyond.
The power of mindset will steer the direction of whatever it is that we want to accomplish.
Any successful endeavor starts with confidence that can be accessed through a proper mindset. After knowing and accepting this, the question remains. How do we accept this mindset to release what it takes to accomplish our heart’s desire? It is not just about positive thinking. If you tell yourself that you are positive that you will play a par round of golf, an immediate thought will be developed for all the reasons that it is not possible. Therefore, mindset must match the reality of current experience. Our thoughts produce the energy that is necessary to support the passionate desire to achieve whatever it is that we want. This wanting desire must, however be supported by a clarity of intent. A process must be developed, adopted, and consistently adhered to and rehearsed the mind will then be able to accept the potential of what it takes to achieve the desire of our will.
Living Golf Lesson 3: The Power of Intuition
April 1, 2012
Lesson # 3 The Power of Intuition
There exists within each of us a magical capability that transcends rational sensibility. It comes from a part of our being that emerges at just the right moments when we need it the most. It is our intuition. It provides an insight that has been built on experience, without any judgment from intellectual interference. It frees a spirit-filled connection to a belief in what can be accomplished. The freedom of flow is released through our heartfelt feeling of what is the right way.
The intellectual willful desire that imposes a responsibility to be successful is replaced with an ability to naturally respond.
This response ability allows for experiences that expand an awareness of what is possible. New visions of what we are capable of achieving sharpen a focal point of a spirit-filled capacity with a clarity of intent. What not Go Fore It? Now we will.
When we hear that voice in our head, vision in our brain, or feeling in our heart we need to trust and take action in our bodies. This is the moment when we are overcome with unexplained feelings of elation. We just seem to know what action must be taken. At these moments we must exercise the faith that we can and the trust that we will, resulting in a fore gone conclusion. Now we must let go, let it happen.
Living Golf Lesson 2: The Power of Subconscious Acceptance
March 4, 2012
Lesson # 2 The Power of the Subconscious Acceptance
The conscious and subconscious mind has a distinct function when assessing and executing any stroke to be played in golf. The conscious mind is where we are able to conceptualize the requirements of play. The subconscious mind is where the stroke comes from. It perceives and senses the feel of what it takes. While the subconscious mind is objective and analytical the subconscious is subjected to whatever the conscious accepts for perceptive understanding.
We must train ourselves consciously to conceptualize and put into practice the process step by step until it eventually seeps into the perceptive abilities that are accepted by the subconscious mind.
Process must become automatic and somewhat routine. Belief and attitude will become habitual. Once the subconscious mind becomes accepting, then faith that we can and trust that we will carries out the necessities imposed by our conscious awareness. At this moment of connection we reach the flow zone of execution.
Living Golf Lesson 1: Power from the Heart of Consciousness
February 1, 2012
Lesson # 1 – Power from the Heart of Consciousness
To play golf from the heart of the game is to come into alignment with a concentrated conscious connection to what it is all about. This is accomplished when we train ourselves to stay in a state of focus with the clarity of our intent and at the same time be accepting of a heartfelt, intuitive desire. Integrating the analytical mind with instinctive intelligence of the heart elevates capability to new levels of achievability.
We must not be distracted for a moment by reflections of past experience that we impose on the task. By breaking through these patterns and reactions we will become more response-able.By shifting from the head to the heart we become accepting, non-judgmental and begin to come into alignment with the truth in the consciousness that we seek.
We are now getting to the “heart of the matter.” Powerful, congruent alignment is now achievable through the mind, body, and spirit providing the gentle guidance of a rhythm from the heart.
As we discover more about what “it” is that lies within the heart of the game, we come to realize that “it” is not about the “doing,” but rather, allowing “it” to be done.
Living Golf – Introduction
January 1, 2012
Lessons from the Heart of the Game
The majestic nature of golf, a truly, remarkable sport, captivated my imagination and I began discovering what it is about golf that transcends the final score.
The spiritual sense of the game inspired me to begin an enduring search for the deeper meaning of life and its relationship to the nature of my game.
I have been led down a path, and find myself in a totally involved commitment, sharing my feelings and knowledge with as many people as possible. My passion has never been stronger and the purpose has never been clearer. Now, the process has become part of me, reaching new levels of efficiency and dedication. I can only hope that the ongoing intensity of the pursuit, coupled with the strength of my unfailing efforts establishes a legacy that will live on. I am blessed to share what this game has given to me and pay it forward. The process now supports passion and frees my heart’s desire in the pursuit of a true pre-destined purpose.
Holistic Connection
October 1, 2011
In the study of quantum physics experts, have discovered the scientific support for the theory that we exist in the form of pure energy, both kinetic (in motion) and potential (at rest). So too does all of the substance that surrounds us. Energy provides a versatile dynamic and powerful part of who we are.We are provided with pure potential for whatever we wish to attract. This concentrated energy constitutes the very spirit within us. Our bodies, thoughts, and emotions are all outward emissions of the dynamic expended energy. How we direct this energy dictates the limitations of the positive outcomes that we achieve.
The clarity of desire will ultimately influence the joyful quality of the life we chose to live.
When the energy is obstructed by fear, anxiety, or worry, it becomes misdirected into defensive, manipulative, or protective postures. Our spirit is susceptible to discontent, illness, and lack of holistic connection with the life force. When we fully realize the power of the force within us, the experiences of golfing adventures continue to expand. An energy release becomes a conscious part of our everyday play, expanding exponentially. Properly focused, we witness the infinite potential hidden within finite existence.
Optimal Achievement
June 1, 2011
Choice in life is one of the greatest attributes to human capacity. How we direct our thinking can be chosen.
If we can learn to direct our thinking toward the outcomes that we desire, we will be able to remain focused on purpose.
Due to a seemingly inherent human condition to be protected from danger, our minds tend to focus more on what we want to avoid. In the game of golf the mind can be set in one of three patterns.
Developing a well supported belief we are able to actively focus our imaginative posers on what is ultimately possible. The result that we are wishing for is at risk of being unfulfilled unless we begin to accept the probability of outcome. However, our thoughts and emotions are not as tangible as the actual, physical aspect of the experiences that we witness as we play. In order to have our mind power, control our outcome requires a heightened level of awareness that comes from the depth of our senses.
Winterizing Your Golf Game
February 1, 2011
During the long, cold winter there exists a marvelous opportunity to expand your capability as a player of the game you love. This can be accomplished by studying the least understood and most underutilized aspect of the requirements of skillful play: the mental game. During my many years of playing, teaching, and thinking golf, I have developed a comprehensive, but concise lesson series on the mental game.
If you choose to accept the challenge, this will open you up to a whole new world of capacity that lies within you.
It will inspire a childlike renewal of enthusiastic anticipation and passion for the upcoming season.
Through the magic of the internet, I am able to offer this course of study to anyone, anywhere through Skype. Just go to www.skype.com and take it from there. We’ll be able to converse while seeing each other if you have a webcam. Of course, if you live reasonably close, this can also be accomplished in person.
I am going to introduce you to some of the basic concepts of the course in this post and you will find detailed information about the four lesson golf mental game series that is now available on my golf instruction page. Hopefully we can connect and I will share what I have learned about golf and life over the last 57 years.
Golf in the Mind's Eye
July 23, 2010
The Purpose
After 30+ years teaching recreational golf, I have come to realize the significant importance of helping my students understand all of the aspects of the game. The understanding and complete enjoyment of golf can be more fully realized if we embrace the game from a philosophic, psychological, sociological, as well as the obvious physiological aspects.
My curiosity in all of these segments of the human condition has provoked an ongoing inquiry into the most elusive of these aspects, the psychology of shot making.
Recently, I have been studying visualization processes in the “mind’s eye” and how it can be deliberately managed to increase a positive effect on golf results.
