Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Most Crucial 90 Seconds in Golf
A round of golf takes 4 hours to play but the number on your scorecard is determined in just a matter of minutes. Did you know that most pre-shot routines are 45 seconds long and the actually golf swing takes just over a second? Since physical performance accounts for only 90 seconds of the entire round, the rest of the round consists of mental and emotional management. Your ability to concentrate your mind inside your performance zone and manage your emotions during the round is as much a determiner of success as executing your swing. While it is next to impossible to possess absolute focus over the course of a 4 hour round, it is possible to train your mind to have intense, unbreakable focus during these crucial minute long intervals on the course.
Regardless of the skill level, every golfer deals with the same mental obstacles throughout the round. The only difference is the scratch golfer has learned how to concentrate their focus on more shots than the 20 handicap. Simple lapses in concentration result in wasted shots and higher scores. Examples of concentration lapses include: rushed pre-shot routines, talking to friends while in the performance zone, getting distracted by noises or other people, and worrying about shots you already hit. There are so many examples of how we let our mind’s wander during those critical 60 seconds that a book could be written on the subject. That is why having the ability to tune out all distractions for 1 minute is so crucial because just one lapse in concentration during a round can be just enough to let the win slip through your fingers.
So if you are ready to put an end to those lapses in concentration and wasted shots then the mental exercise you are about to read is perfect for you. This mental exercise only takes 2-3 minutes and can benefit golfers of every skill level. The results of this exercise are cumulative in nature so the more you practice this technique the better results your will get. Since your results will consistently improve with practice, this exercise should be practiced on a daily basis to get the maximum benefits on the course.
First, this exercise will train your mind to create more intense and unbreakable focus during your pre-shot routine and golf shot. This exercise trains your mind to block out all distractions and focus completely during your shot. Over time you will actually be able to use the distractions around you to heighten your level of focus during your shot. Learning to focus in this way is guaranteed to help you produce better results and lower scores.
Second, this exercise will help you improve your ability to execute your swing and strike the ball better on the course. Annie Plessinger of Vanderbilt University Psychology Department said “Many sports such as golf, tennis, and skating, not only require physical skills, but a strong mental game as well. Most coaches preach the line that sports are 90% mental and only 10% physical. Although it is not as beneficial as physical practice, visual imagery fairs better than no practice at all. Hence, a program with physical practice combined with mental training seems to be the best method. Virtually all studies show that mental training improves motor skills. Whether you are a recreational athlete or a professional does not matter. The benefits of mental imagery have proved successful at any level. So if you are a professional looking to break into the top, or a club player who simply wishes to defeat his/her friend, I recommend incorporating mental imagery along with physical practice. Not only can mental imagery improve specific motor skills but it also seems to enhance motivation, mental toughness, and confidence, all which will help elevate your level of play1.” This exercise incorporates the mental rehearsal of your perfect swing which will help you to execute your real one better on the course. By utilizing an exercise like this, you don’t always need a driving range to improve your game. You can make improvements simply by relaxing at home or any other time you have a few free minutes.
Third, this exercise will teach you how to rapidly relax your mind and body in a very short period of time. Practicing this drill will give you another competitive advantage over your opponent because you will have the ability to relax and stay loose any time you wish. This is an incredible skill for all golfers to possess because physical relaxation is essential to executing your best swing. I once heard that relaxation is the key to fix any golf swing because tension will dramatically affect the movements of the body. The exercise as described below is designed to take 2-3 minutes, however once mastered this exercise can be shorten and used on the course to achieve rapid relaxation.
Finally, this exercise provides many great benefits off the golf course as well. You will notice that this exercise will help you release daily stress, help you to sleep better at night, stay more focused at work, and increase your overall health and wellness.
The Peak Focus Mental Training Technique
Step 1: Find a quiet place where you can sit back and relax for 2-3 minutes.
Step 2: Begin the process of physical relaxation by taking a few slow deep breaths. Having studied stress reduction breathing techniques for years, I believe the easiest way to relax through deep breathing is by following what I call the 4x4 method. This simply means that you will breathe in, hold your breath, exhale the breath, and pause between breaths all to a count of four. Mastering this technique by itself can serve to be a valuable asset on the course for all golfers. It will help you control emotions, relax your body, and refocus your mind after a poor shot.
Step 3: After doing the 4x4 method for a few moments, close your eyes to block out distractions and let your body relax. With your eyes closed, begin to imagine as vividly as possible being all alone at your favorite golf course. Give your imagination the freedom to be child-like again and really make this experience as close to real life as possible. An easy way to tap into your imagination is by doing your best to incorporate as many senses as you can into the experience. Can you clearly visualize the course? What do you clothes look like? Is it a sunny day? Are you able to feel the sun on your skin or a cool breeze cooling the air? Can you feel the grip of your club or the ground beneath your feet? What things do you hear? Are the birds chirping? How does your swing sound? Can you smell the fresh cut grass? Every time you do this exercise, challenge your imagination to make it more vivid, detailed, and life like.
Step 4: Imagine that you are standing on the tee box and there is a bucket of brand new golf balls with the numbers 25-1 on them. As vividly as you can, imagine picking up the golf ball numbered 25 and tee it up. Next, visualize yourself executing your perfect swing and striking the ball right on the sweet spot. As you complete your swing and watch the ball get launched down the fairway, allow your mental and physical relaxation to increase. When you are ready, imagine picking up the ball numbered 24 and repeat the same process. Experience as real as you can, swinging your club perfectly and hitting another beautiful golf shot. Again, as the ball is catapulted down the fairway, double your mental and physical relaxation. Continue this process until you have successfully hit all 25 golf balls perfectly in your mind and have progressively doubled your level of relaxation.
Step 5: After mentally hitting all 25 golf balls, you will find yourself in a state of deep relaxation and will have a few options on how to end the experience. First, you can simply sit back and enjoy the deep relaxation you have created. If you have been stressed out at work or home then you will really enjoy this. The second option is to utilize this time of mental receptivity to give yourself positive suggestions and affirmations about your golf game. You might want to repeat a mantra like, “I perform without conscious effort” or “Everyday my golf game is improving.” In this relaxed state your mind will readily receive your suggestions so make sure your thoughts are positive. The final option is to take a few deep breaths to re-energize the body and simply open your eyes feeling refreshed and revitalized.
I know at first glance, this may seem like a very simple exercise however it can be much harder when it’s put into practice. Many will find their mind’s wandering around after just a few golf balls. If you find your mind wandering around during the exercise, the moment you do immediately go back to your mental course and pick up where you left off. Do this as much as necessary until you hit all 25 golf balls. Always be sure to finish the exercise even if it takes long than expected. The ultimate goal is to complete the entire exercise with absolute focus and concentration on every golf ball from 25 all the way down to 1. Once you have mastered this exercise and can do it without varying from the task in any way, begin to challenge yourself by learning how to do it with loud music playing or in a noisy environment all while maintaining total focus on the drill.
I believe in life simple things can most often be the most profound and this technique is one of those things. This technique works and will improve your performance on the course only if you put it into consistent practice. The beauty of this technique is you can enhance your game at anytime and anywhere.
Regardless of the skill level, every golfer deals with the same mental obstacles throughout the round. The only difference is the scratch golfer has learned how to concentrate their focus on more shots than the 20 handicap. Simple lapses in concentration result in wasted shots and higher scores. Examples of concentration lapses include: rushed pre-shot routines, talking to friends while in the performance zone, getting distracted by noises or other people, and worrying about shots you already hit. There are so many examples of how we let our mind’s wander during those critical 60 seconds that a book could be written on the subject. That is why having the ability to tune out all distractions for 1 minute is so crucial because just one lapse in concentration during a round can be just enough to let the win slip through your fingers.
So if you are ready to put an end to those lapses in concentration and wasted shots then the mental exercise you are about to read is perfect for you. This mental exercise only takes 2-3 minutes and can benefit golfers of every skill level. The results of this exercise are cumulative in nature so the more you practice this technique the better results your will get. Since your results will consistently improve with practice, this exercise should be practiced on a daily basis to get the maximum benefits on the course.
First, this exercise will train your mind to create more intense and unbreakable focus during your pre-shot routine and golf shot. This exercise trains your mind to block out all distractions and focus completely during your shot. Over time you will actually be able to use the distractions around you to heighten your level of focus during your shot. Learning to focus in this way is guaranteed to help you produce better results and lower scores.
Second, this exercise will help you improve your ability to execute your swing and strike the ball better on the course. Annie Plessinger of Vanderbilt University Psychology Department said “Many sports such as golf, tennis, and skating, not only require physical skills, but a strong mental game as well. Most coaches preach the line that sports are 90% mental and only 10% physical. Although it is not as beneficial as physical practice, visual imagery fairs better than no practice at all. Hence, a program with physical practice combined with mental training seems to be the best method. Virtually all studies show that mental training improves motor skills. Whether you are a recreational athlete or a professional does not matter. The benefits of mental imagery have proved successful at any level. So if you are a professional looking to break into the top, or a club player who simply wishes to defeat his/her friend, I recommend incorporating mental imagery along with physical practice. Not only can mental imagery improve specific motor skills but it also seems to enhance motivation, mental toughness, and confidence, all which will help elevate your level of play1.” This exercise incorporates the mental rehearsal of your perfect swing which will help you to execute your real one better on the course. By utilizing an exercise like this, you don’t always need a driving range to improve your game. You can make improvements simply by relaxing at home or any other time you have a few free minutes.
Third, this exercise will teach you how to rapidly relax your mind and body in a very short period of time. Practicing this drill will give you another competitive advantage over your opponent because you will have the ability to relax and stay loose any time you wish. This is an incredible skill for all golfers to possess because physical relaxation is essential to executing your best swing. I once heard that relaxation is the key to fix any golf swing because tension will dramatically affect the movements of the body. The exercise as described below is designed to take 2-3 minutes, however once mastered this exercise can be shorten and used on the course to achieve rapid relaxation.
Finally, this exercise provides many great benefits off the golf course as well. You will notice that this exercise will help you release daily stress, help you to sleep better at night, stay more focused at work, and increase your overall health and wellness.
The Peak Focus Mental Training Technique
Step 1: Find a quiet place where you can sit back and relax for 2-3 minutes.
Step 2: Begin the process of physical relaxation by taking a few slow deep breaths. Having studied stress reduction breathing techniques for years, I believe the easiest way to relax through deep breathing is by following what I call the 4x4 method. This simply means that you will breathe in, hold your breath, exhale the breath, and pause between breaths all to a count of four. Mastering this technique by itself can serve to be a valuable asset on the course for all golfers. It will help you control emotions, relax your body, and refocus your mind after a poor shot.
Step 3: After doing the 4x4 method for a few moments, close your eyes to block out distractions and let your body relax. With your eyes closed, begin to imagine as vividly as possible being all alone at your favorite golf course. Give your imagination the freedom to be child-like again and really make this experience as close to real life as possible. An easy way to tap into your imagination is by doing your best to incorporate as many senses as you can into the experience. Can you clearly visualize the course? What do you clothes look like? Is it a sunny day? Are you able to feel the sun on your skin or a cool breeze cooling the air? Can you feel the grip of your club or the ground beneath your feet? What things do you hear? Are the birds chirping? How does your swing sound? Can you smell the fresh cut grass? Every time you do this exercise, challenge your imagination to make it more vivid, detailed, and life like.
Step 4: Imagine that you are standing on the tee box and there is a bucket of brand new golf balls with the numbers 25-1 on them. As vividly as you can, imagine picking up the golf ball numbered 25 and tee it up. Next, visualize yourself executing your perfect swing and striking the ball right on the sweet spot. As you complete your swing and watch the ball get launched down the fairway, allow your mental and physical relaxation to increase. When you are ready, imagine picking up the ball numbered 24 and repeat the same process. Experience as real as you can, swinging your club perfectly and hitting another beautiful golf shot. Again, as the ball is catapulted down the fairway, double your mental and physical relaxation. Continue this process until you have successfully hit all 25 golf balls perfectly in your mind and have progressively doubled your level of relaxation.
Step 5: After mentally hitting all 25 golf balls, you will find yourself in a state of deep relaxation and will have a few options on how to end the experience. First, you can simply sit back and enjoy the deep relaxation you have created. If you have been stressed out at work or home then you will really enjoy this. The second option is to utilize this time of mental receptivity to give yourself positive suggestions and affirmations about your golf game. You might want to repeat a mantra like, “I perform without conscious effort” or “Everyday my golf game is improving.” In this relaxed state your mind will readily receive your suggestions so make sure your thoughts are positive. The final option is to take a few deep breaths to re-energize the body and simply open your eyes feeling refreshed and revitalized.
I know at first glance, this may seem like a very simple exercise however it can be much harder when it’s put into practice. Many will find their mind’s wandering around after just a few golf balls. If you find your mind wandering around during the exercise, the moment you do immediately go back to your mental course and pick up where you left off. Do this as much as necessary until you hit all 25 golf balls. Always be sure to finish the exercise even if it takes long than expected. The ultimate goal is to complete the entire exercise with absolute focus and concentration on every golf ball from 25 all the way down to 1. Once you have mastered this exercise and can do it without varying from the task in any way, begin to challenge yourself by learning how to do it with loud music playing or in a noisy environment all while maintaining total focus on the drill.
I believe in life simple things can most often be the most profound and this technique is one of those things. This technique works and will improve your performance on the course only if you put it into consistent practice. The beauty of this technique is you can enhance your game at anytime and anywhere.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Putt in a happy place; Golfers use hypnosis to break bad habits
Putt in a happy place
Golfers use hypnosis to break bad habits
BY PAUL A. SPECHT, staff writer
CARY - Richard Skinner has been golfing for more than 50 years.
To this day, he'll do anything to improve his game.
He has fancy clubs that are supposed to improve accuracy.
He has spent hours at the driving range or on the practice green.
And he obeys superstition: Never use a "water ball" because it encourages bad habits and possesses bad luck.
Despite all this, he can't putt consistently.
So on July 15, the White Lake resident drove 100 miles to Cary for a lesson. "If you don't try to get better you're wasting your time," said Skinner, 66, who plays golf at least once a week.
But during his four-hour stay at Prestonwood Country Club, Skinner never touched a club. And his instructor wasn't even a golf pro.
Instead, Skinner entrusted his technique with John Weir, a certified hypnotist who helps golfers shave strokes off their game.
People have long turned to hypnotists for help with overcoming some of life's toughest obstacles, such as weight loss and smoking cessation.
So it makes sense that more hypnotists are catering to those who subscribe to the tired, but true, cliché: Golf is played in the space between one's ears.
"Athletes perform best in a relaxed state," said Dorothy Taylor, a Cary hypnotist who helped organize the event at Prestonwood.
Golf hypnosis, while not exactly new, has enjoyed solid growth in recent years as more athletes discover the link between mental and physical discipline, said Dwight Damon, co-founder of the National Guild of Hypnotists in Merrimack, N.H.
"Only in the last 20-or-so years have we become aware of the mind-body relationship," he said.
The awareness has come as hypnosis in general has become a more accepted treatment. The cartoon misconceptions of swinging watches are fading, Damon says.
"It's being picked up at hospitals more and more," he said, adding that guild membership has grown 70 percent to 12,000 in 70 countries during in the past six years.
In a banquet room at Prestonwood, Weir walked confidently between tables populated with 10 serious golfers who had paid $75 for his three-hour seminar. They listened intently as he talked about the human psyche and the origins of frustration.
"Relaxation is the key to fixing your golf swing," Weir said between PowerPoint slides that featured images of golfers and the human brain.
A person's habits, he said, are a reflection of the golfer's self-image and that self-inflicted pressure can hinder a player's confidence, performance and enjoyment.
Whether a golfer becomes tense before putting for birdie or pulls out a "water ball" before attempting a shot over a pond, negative thoughts undoubtedly change the course of one's game. "It can become a case of the mind not getting out of the way of the body," said Weir, who wore a gray suit and power tie.
To break bad habits, Weir encouraged participants to breathe deeply, relax their muscles and imagine the best shot they ever hit.
"Think about that shot. ... What did it feel like?" Weir said calmly to the participants, whose eyes were closed in the dim room. "Visualize that swing."
Weir told them to play it over - again and again - in their minds. The goal, he said, was to bypass the self-critical thoughts and establish acceptable, positive, selective thinking in the subconscious mind.
Poor mental mechanics are what brought Roxanne Hicklin to Weir's seminar.
The Raleigh resident won the Ladies Club Championship at Prestonwood in 2008. But she still struggles with negative thoughts while standing over short putts.
"I'm more likely to make a 20-foot putt than a 5-foot putt because there's not as much pressure," she said.
Hicklin said it got to the point where she didn't expect to make the short putts anymore because she became tense while trying not to miss.
"The lessons hadn't done any good for me," she said.
Which is why she turned to Weir.
"I'm not desperate," she said. "This is just something I haven't tried. So, why not?"
On Thursday, she took to the green for some putting practice at Wildwood Green Golf Club in Raleigh.
She read the breaks, gripped her club, lined up the putt, took her time and swung smoothly.
She sunk the 15-footer.
aspecht@nando.com or 919-460-2600
Cary News
Reposted by:
John Weir is an award winning Board Certified Hypnotist, golf improvement specialist, and creator of the Mental Caddie. To improve your golf game using hypnosis visit www.hypnosisaudiomall.com and get your Mental Caddie program today.
Golfers use hypnosis to break bad habits
BY PAUL A. SPECHT, staff writer
CARY - Richard Skinner has been golfing for more than 50 years.
To this day, he'll do anything to improve his game.
He has fancy clubs that are supposed to improve accuracy.
He has spent hours at the driving range or on the practice green.
And he obeys superstition: Never use a "water ball" because it encourages bad habits and possesses bad luck.
Despite all this, he can't putt consistently.
So on July 15, the White Lake resident drove 100 miles to Cary for a lesson. "If you don't try to get better you're wasting your time," said Skinner, 66, who plays golf at least once a week.
But during his four-hour stay at Prestonwood Country Club, Skinner never touched a club. And his instructor wasn't even a golf pro.
Instead, Skinner entrusted his technique with John Weir, a certified hypnotist who helps golfers shave strokes off their game.
People have long turned to hypnotists for help with overcoming some of life's toughest obstacles, such as weight loss and smoking cessation.
So it makes sense that more hypnotists are catering to those who subscribe to the tired, but true, cliché: Golf is played in the space between one's ears.
"Athletes perform best in a relaxed state," said Dorothy Taylor, a Cary hypnotist who helped organize the event at Prestonwood.
Golf hypnosis, while not exactly new, has enjoyed solid growth in recent years as more athletes discover the link between mental and physical discipline, said Dwight Damon, co-founder of the National Guild of Hypnotists in Merrimack, N.H.
"Only in the last 20-or-so years have we become aware of the mind-body relationship," he said.
The awareness has come as hypnosis in general has become a more accepted treatment. The cartoon misconceptions of swinging watches are fading, Damon says.
"It's being picked up at hospitals more and more," he said, adding that guild membership has grown 70 percent to 12,000 in 70 countries during in the past six years.
In a banquet room at Prestonwood, Weir walked confidently between tables populated with 10 serious golfers who had paid $75 for his three-hour seminar. They listened intently as he talked about the human psyche and the origins of frustration.
"Relaxation is the key to fixing your golf swing," Weir said between PowerPoint slides that featured images of golfers and the human brain.
A person's habits, he said, are a reflection of the golfer's self-image and that self-inflicted pressure can hinder a player's confidence, performance and enjoyment.
Whether a golfer becomes tense before putting for birdie or pulls out a "water ball" before attempting a shot over a pond, negative thoughts undoubtedly change the course of one's game. "It can become a case of the mind not getting out of the way of the body," said Weir, who wore a gray suit and power tie.
To break bad habits, Weir encouraged participants to breathe deeply, relax their muscles and imagine the best shot they ever hit.
"Think about that shot. ... What did it feel like?" Weir said calmly to the participants, whose eyes were closed in the dim room. "Visualize that swing."
Weir told them to play it over - again and again - in their minds. The goal, he said, was to bypass the self-critical thoughts and establish acceptable, positive, selective thinking in the subconscious mind.
Poor mental mechanics are what brought Roxanne Hicklin to Weir's seminar.
The Raleigh resident won the Ladies Club Championship at Prestonwood in 2008. But she still struggles with negative thoughts while standing over short putts.
"I'm more likely to make a 20-foot putt than a 5-foot putt because there's not as much pressure," she said.
Hicklin said it got to the point where she didn't expect to make the short putts anymore because she became tense while trying not to miss.
"The lessons hadn't done any good for me," she said.
Which is why she turned to Weir.
"I'm not desperate," she said. "This is just something I haven't tried. So, why not?"
On Thursday, she took to the green for some putting practice at Wildwood Green Golf Club in Raleigh.
She read the breaks, gripped her club, lined up the putt, took her time and swung smoothly.
She sunk the 15-footer.
aspecht@nando.com or 919-460-2600
Cary News
Reposted by:
John Weir is an award winning Board Certified Hypnotist, golf improvement specialist, and creator of the Mental Caddie. To improve your golf game using hypnosis visit www.hypnosisaudiomall.com and get your Mental Caddie program today.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
The Evolution of the Pre-Shot Routine
The best golfers will tell that you that a doing a pre-shot routine before every shot is crucial to high level performance on the course. Effective pre-shot routines help golfers to relax their bodies, focus their minds, and visualize the success of their present shot. Jack Nicklaus was quoted saying “I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp, in-focus picture of it in my head.” The problem is a pre-shot routine only stresses the importance of positive thinking and visualization prior to the shot, but overlooks the importance of what a golfer does after the shot. If the shot was a poor one and the golfer allows themselves to entertain negative thoughts and feelings, this negativity has the potential to destroy the possibility of hitting the next shot well or worse it could create a chain of events that destroy the round. To maximize performance on the course, a shift needs to be made from thinking about doing pre-shot routines into performing full-shot routines.
Every golfer has experienced the devastating effects of negative thinking during a round of golf. Negative thinking affects golfers in two major ways. First, negative thinking creates tension in the body which inhibits the body from swinging freely and rhythmically. Second and most importantly it takes the golfer out of the present moment and disrupts the ability to put full concentration on the current shot. So how does one begin to overcome negative thinking on the course?
One way to overcome negative thinking is to constantly your mind of two simple yet powerful truths in the game of golf. The first truth is that golf is not a game of perfect. I once heard the expression that the person who plays the best is the one who misses the closest. When the idea of hitting every shot perfect is released, a golfer will notice a decrease in the negative thoughts that typically flowed during a round.
Another significant truth in golf is that the most important shot of any round is the one that is being taken. The best performing golfers are the ones who can play consistently in the present moment and focus fully on each shot. In order to stay fully present and concentrated on the shot at hand, a golfer needs to train their mind to accept and release all thoughts good or bad about their previous shots.
One of the easiest ways of staying more in the present moment is by evolving your pre-shot routine into a full-shot routine. A full-shot routine takes into consideration that what is done after each shot is equally important as what you do before. In my opinion the missing piece in the equation for most golfers is the element of accepting their shot regardless of its outcome. Reluctance to accept the outcome of a shot is one of the key differences in the mentality of a pro versus the average golfer. When the mind is trained to accept the outcome and immediately release the energy of each shot then the ability to stay in the present moment and devote our full attention into the next shot greatly increases.
To help golfers achieve acceptance and release, I encourage them to adopt a full-shot routine by performing a technique called a Pattern Interruption after each shot. A pattern interruption is a technique used in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (or NLP) that is designed to interrupt old patterns of thoughts and feelings. This is any behavior that is outside of normal mode of doing things that would disrupt your old patterns such as clapping your hands or jumping on one foot. Think of a pattern interruption as something that would cause the music playing on a CD to skip. Too many scratches on a CD ultimately will prevent it from playing all together. This is the goal of pattern interruptions, to disrupt the old patterns so much that they can’t play in the mind. So here is how it is applied to golf and a full-shot routine.
First, make the commitment to doing a full-shot routine every shot. Next, after each shot regardless of the outcome, perform a pattern interruption or any unique behavior to release all emotions connected to the shot and keep your mind present. What I teach my golfers to do is after taking a shot, allow whatever emotion comes up to flow but limit your emotional response to 5 seconds. So whether you get excited, angry, or upset give yourself permission to experience it for a few seconds and then perform a pattern interruption as a way to signal the shot is over and to clear away the emotion. In my opinion, one of the best pattern interruptions is simply clapping your hands, wiping your hands clean, and affirming in your mind “the shots done.” After doing that, put your club back into the bag and forget about the shot. Once the club goes into the bag, it’s time to shift your focus from the past and focus on how you will make your next shot successful.
This simple technique should be added to your shot routine and performed every time. When you do this you will find yourself improving performance by staying more in the present moment and by releasing any negativity right away. Put this technique to the test. Your golf game will thank you.
John Weir is a board certified hypnotist, NLP master practitioner, and peak performance coach. He is the creator of the Mental Caddie which is a 6 disk audio program proven to condition the subconscious mind for success on the golf course. If you are interested in learning how to use your mind to lower your score this year go http://ping.fm/yLMs3 for all the details. To learn more about John Weir and his other services please visit http://ping.fm/xf4qy
Check out The Mental Caddie blog at http://bit.ly/mentalgolfblog
Become an affiliate of the Mental Caddie at http://bit.ly/golfaffiliate
Every golfer has experienced the devastating effects of negative thinking during a round of golf. Negative thinking affects golfers in two major ways. First, negative thinking creates tension in the body which inhibits the body from swinging freely and rhythmically. Second and most importantly it takes the golfer out of the present moment and disrupts the ability to put full concentration on the current shot. So how does one begin to overcome negative thinking on the course?
One way to overcome negative thinking is to constantly your mind of two simple yet powerful truths in the game of golf. The first truth is that golf is not a game of perfect. I once heard the expression that the person who plays the best is the one who misses the closest. When the idea of hitting every shot perfect is released, a golfer will notice a decrease in the negative thoughts that typically flowed during a round.
Another significant truth in golf is that the most important shot of any round is the one that is being taken. The best performing golfers are the ones who can play consistently in the present moment and focus fully on each shot. In order to stay fully present and concentrated on the shot at hand, a golfer needs to train their mind to accept and release all thoughts good or bad about their previous shots.
One of the easiest ways of staying more in the present moment is by evolving your pre-shot routine into a full-shot routine. A full-shot routine takes into consideration that what is done after each shot is equally important as what you do before. In my opinion the missing piece in the equation for most golfers is the element of accepting their shot regardless of its outcome. Reluctance to accept the outcome of a shot is one of the key differences in the mentality of a pro versus the average golfer. When the mind is trained to accept the outcome and immediately release the energy of each shot then the ability to stay in the present moment and devote our full attention into the next shot greatly increases.
To help golfers achieve acceptance and release, I encourage them to adopt a full-shot routine by performing a technique called a Pattern Interruption after each shot. A pattern interruption is a technique used in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (or NLP) that is designed to interrupt old patterns of thoughts and feelings. This is any behavior that is outside of normal mode of doing things that would disrupt your old patterns such as clapping your hands or jumping on one foot. Think of a pattern interruption as something that would cause the music playing on a CD to skip. Too many scratches on a CD ultimately will prevent it from playing all together. This is the goal of pattern interruptions, to disrupt the old patterns so much that they can’t play in the mind. So here is how it is applied to golf and a full-shot routine.
First, make the commitment to doing a full-shot routine every shot. Next, after each shot regardless of the outcome, perform a pattern interruption or any unique behavior to release all emotions connected to the shot and keep your mind present. What I teach my golfers to do is after taking a shot, allow whatever emotion comes up to flow but limit your emotional response to 5 seconds. So whether you get excited, angry, or upset give yourself permission to experience it for a few seconds and then perform a pattern interruption as a way to signal the shot is over and to clear away the emotion. In my opinion, one of the best pattern interruptions is simply clapping your hands, wiping your hands clean, and affirming in your mind “the shots done.” After doing that, put your club back into the bag and forget about the shot. Once the club goes into the bag, it’s time to shift your focus from the past and focus on how you will make your next shot successful.
This simple technique should be added to your shot routine and performed every time. When you do this you will find yourself improving performance by staying more in the present moment and by releasing any negativity right away. Put this technique to the test. Your golf game will thank you.
John Weir is a board certified hypnotist, NLP master practitioner, and peak performance coach. He is the creator of the Mental Caddie which is a 6 disk audio program proven to condition the subconscious mind for success on the golf course. If you are interested in learning how to use your mind to lower your score this year go http://ping.fm/yLMs3 for all the details. To learn more about John Weir and his other services please visit http://ping.fm/xf4qy
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Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Golf isn't a perfect game but it's possible to improve performance by shifting your body language learn how http://bit.ly/mentalgolfblog
Lower Your Golf Score By Shifting Your Body Language
Just about every golfer battles negative emotions on the course and one must learn how to overcome these emotions for peak performance to occur. In my opinion, golf is a mental and emotional game not a physical one. A round of golf boils down to 90 seconds of physical performance versus 4 hours of mental and emotional management. So it is your ability to control your mind and emotions that are perhaps the biggest determiners of success on the course. Most golfers understand that negative emotions can destroy a round but few actually know strategies to overcome the negativity once it sets in.
One of the easiest and most powerful ways to shift from negativity to optimism on the course is by changing your body language. The way you hold and use your body greatly influences the way you think and feel. This article is going to breakdown how body language affects you mentally and emotionally as well as will provide you a simple yet very effective exercise that you can do at home that will increase your level of performance on the course.
An important thing to understand about the mind-body connection is the principle of congruency. The principle of congruency means that your subconscious mind is always striving to make your thoughts, emotions, and body language congruent with each other. Here are two very simple examples to demonstrate the principle of congruency. During times in our lives when we are laughing and smiling it is impossible to feel depressed. The opposite is also true. If you are frowning and hanging your head it is impossible to feel good.
Let’s take these examples one step farther. I am positive that if I were to ask you to describe to me how a confident person holds their body that you would be able to provide a very accurate description. Your answer would probably describe something similar to this. The confident person would be standing tall, with their shoulders back, their head held high, and so on. If I were then to ask you how they move, I am confident that you would be able to accurately describe this as well. You would probably answer that the confident person moves with a sense of purpose and determination. They make powerful and confident gestures, and walk around with an aura of authority.
On the flip side of things, if I were to ask you to describe a person in a negative state of mind I am confident that your answer would be totally different. You would more than likely describe someone with their head down, slumped shoulders, scowl across their face, and moving around in a sluggish, lethargic way. If a person carries themselves with this type of body language it is virtually impossible for them to feel good due to the congruency principle. Thoughts and emotions must always be congruent with the body.
The easiest way to shift out of a negative state is simply by changing your body language. By deliberately changing the way you are holding and using your body, you simultaneously change the flow of emotions. It is very important while on the course to be monitoring your body language to make sure it is congruent with a state of confidence and self assurance. By doing this and making adjustments when needed, you will notice an increase in your confidence addressing any shot, your ability to execute at a higher level, and elevate your enjoyment of the round.
Now that you have an understanding of the importance of your body language in controlling your emotions on the course, let’s take this understanding into the next level of learning; integration. Here is an exercise that you can do at home that will give you a personal experience into how your body language affects your emotions and to help you determine your ideal body language for peak performance on the golf course.
Step 1: Find a place where there is plenty of space to move around, and somewhere you can be alone and free to be yourself.
Step 2: Pretend to be an actor for this exercise. Give yourself full permission to really get into this exercise and play the role. The more you get into this exercise the more you will benefit from it.
Step 3: Act out the role of a confident person. Pretend you are filming a movie and you are playing the part of a person with unlimited confidence. Start by adjusting your body in the standing position to reflect that of a confident person. Ask yourself questions like these and align your body appropriately:
• How does this person stand?
• How do they hold their head?
• How do they hold their shoulders?
• How do they breathe?
• How would their face look?
• What do they do with their hands?
Once you have adjusted your body to reflect this confident person, begin moving around the room as this person would. Ask yourself questions like these to get into the role:
• How does this person move?
• What speed do they move at?
• What gestures do they make?
• How do they express this confidence in themselves?
• What are their movements like?
Give yourself at least 5 minutes to act out this role of a confident person and become aware of the way it makes you think and feel. Notice that as you stand and move around as this person that it naturally causes you to feel more confident, powerful, unstoppable, and in control. If you are struggling to feel this then get more into the role and make bigger shifts in your body language.
Step 4: Act out the role of a negative and defeated person. Again, pretend you are filming a movie and you are playing the part of a person with a pessimistic attitude. Start by adjusting your body in the standing position to reflect that of a negative person. Ask yourself questions like these and really get into the role:
• How does this person stand?
• How do they hold their head?
• How do they hold their shoulders?
• How do they breathe?
• How would their face look?
• What do they do with their hands?
Once you have adjusted your body to reflect this negative person, begin moving around the room as this person would. Ask yourself questions like these to get into the role:
• How does this person move?
• What speed do they move at?
• What gestures do they make?
• How do they express this negativity in themselves?
• What are their movements like?
Take at least 5 minutes to act out this role and become aware of the difference in your emotions as you play this part. Keep yourself in this pessimistic body language and try to feel confident and positive without changing your body in anyway. It is impossible.
Step 5: Shift your state back to confidence by doing a pattern interruption. Clap your hands together forcefully, make a power gesture that the confident you does, and dramatically shift your body language back into alignment with the confident self. Once you do this and shift your body language, keep yourself in this position and notice how easy it is to now feel positive, confident, and self assured.
If you let yourself get into this exercise then you have just learned something extremely valuable about yourself. You have identified the body language, postures, and gestures that you use when you are confident versus pessimistic as well as that you can shift your emotions using a pattern interruption like clapping your hands together and altering your body language. This information will serve you tremendously on the golf course. First, it has given you the blueprint to how you need to be holding and using your body on the golf course to be congruent with confidence and peak performance. Second, it will give you the awareness when you shifted to a negative state by monitoring your body language. Finally, it gives you the ability to shift your emotions on the course by breaking the pattern and shifting back to body language that reflects confidence. Put this knowledge to the test. You will be amazed at the difference it makes in your level of performance and your enjoyment of the round.
John Weir is a board certified hypnotist, NLP master practitioner, and peak performance coach. He is the creator of the Mental Caddie which is a 6 disk audio program proven to condition the subconscious mind for success on the golf course. If you are curious about how to use your mind to lower your score this year go http://ping.fm/lBPHn for all the details. To learn more about John Weir and his other services please visit http://ping.fm/5Zxb4
One of the easiest and most powerful ways to shift from negativity to optimism on the course is by changing your body language. The way you hold and use your body greatly influences the way you think and feel. This article is going to breakdown how body language affects you mentally and emotionally as well as will provide you a simple yet very effective exercise that you can do at home that will increase your level of performance on the course.
An important thing to understand about the mind-body connection is the principle of congruency. The principle of congruency means that your subconscious mind is always striving to make your thoughts, emotions, and body language congruent with each other. Here are two very simple examples to demonstrate the principle of congruency. During times in our lives when we are laughing and smiling it is impossible to feel depressed. The opposite is also true. If you are frowning and hanging your head it is impossible to feel good.
Let’s take these examples one step farther. I am positive that if I were to ask you to describe to me how a confident person holds their body that you would be able to provide a very accurate description. Your answer would probably describe something similar to this. The confident person would be standing tall, with their shoulders back, their head held high, and so on. If I were then to ask you how they move, I am confident that you would be able to accurately describe this as well. You would probably answer that the confident person moves with a sense of purpose and determination. They make powerful and confident gestures, and walk around with an aura of authority.
On the flip side of things, if I were to ask you to describe a person in a negative state of mind I am confident that your answer would be totally different. You would more than likely describe someone with their head down, slumped shoulders, scowl across their face, and moving around in a sluggish, lethargic way. If a person carries themselves with this type of body language it is virtually impossible for them to feel good due to the congruency principle. Thoughts and emotions must always be congruent with the body.
The easiest way to shift out of a negative state is simply by changing your body language. By deliberately changing the way you are holding and using your body, you simultaneously change the flow of emotions. It is very important while on the course to be monitoring your body language to make sure it is congruent with a state of confidence and self assurance. By doing this and making adjustments when needed, you will notice an increase in your confidence addressing any shot, your ability to execute at a higher level, and elevate your enjoyment of the round.
Now that you have an understanding of the importance of your body language in controlling your emotions on the course, let’s take this understanding into the next level of learning; integration. Here is an exercise that you can do at home that will give you a personal experience into how your body language affects your emotions and to help you determine your ideal body language for peak performance on the golf course.
Step 1: Find a place where there is plenty of space to move around, and somewhere you can be alone and free to be yourself.
Step 2: Pretend to be an actor for this exercise. Give yourself full permission to really get into this exercise and play the role. The more you get into this exercise the more you will benefit from it.
Step 3: Act out the role of a confident person. Pretend you are filming a movie and you are playing the part of a person with unlimited confidence. Start by adjusting your body in the standing position to reflect that of a confident person. Ask yourself questions like these and align your body appropriately:
• How does this person stand?
• How do they hold their head?
• How do they hold their shoulders?
• How do they breathe?
• How would their face look?
• What do they do with their hands?
Once you have adjusted your body to reflect this confident person, begin moving around the room as this person would. Ask yourself questions like these to get into the role:
• How does this person move?
• What speed do they move at?
• What gestures do they make?
• How do they express this confidence in themselves?
• What are their movements like?
Give yourself at least 5 minutes to act out this role of a confident person and become aware of the way it makes you think and feel. Notice that as you stand and move around as this person that it naturally causes you to feel more confident, powerful, unstoppable, and in control. If you are struggling to feel this then get more into the role and make bigger shifts in your body language.
Step 4: Act out the role of a negative and defeated person. Again, pretend you are filming a movie and you are playing the part of a person with a pessimistic attitude. Start by adjusting your body in the standing position to reflect that of a negative person. Ask yourself questions like these and really get into the role:
• How does this person stand?
• How do they hold their head?
• How do they hold their shoulders?
• How do they breathe?
• How would their face look?
• What do they do with their hands?
Once you have adjusted your body to reflect this negative person, begin moving around the room as this person would. Ask yourself questions like these to get into the role:
• How does this person move?
• What speed do they move at?
• What gestures do they make?
• How do they express this negativity in themselves?
• What are their movements like?
Take at least 5 minutes to act out this role and become aware of the difference in your emotions as you play this part. Keep yourself in this pessimistic body language and try to feel confident and positive without changing your body in anyway. It is impossible.
Step 5: Shift your state back to confidence by doing a pattern interruption. Clap your hands together forcefully, make a power gesture that the confident you does, and dramatically shift your body language back into alignment with the confident self. Once you do this and shift your body language, keep yourself in this position and notice how easy it is to now feel positive, confident, and self assured.
If you let yourself get into this exercise then you have just learned something extremely valuable about yourself. You have identified the body language, postures, and gestures that you use when you are confident versus pessimistic as well as that you can shift your emotions using a pattern interruption like clapping your hands together and altering your body language. This information will serve you tremendously on the golf course. First, it has given you the blueprint to how you need to be holding and using your body on the golf course to be congruent with confidence and peak performance. Second, it will give you the awareness when you shifted to a negative state by monitoring your body language. Finally, it gives you the ability to shift your emotions on the course by breaking the pattern and shifting back to body language that reflects confidence. Put this knowledge to the test. You will be amazed at the difference it makes in your level of performance and your enjoyment of the round.
John Weir is a board certified hypnotist, NLP master practitioner, and peak performance coach. He is the creator of the Mental Caddie which is a 6 disk audio program proven to condition the subconscious mind for success on the golf course. If you are curious about how to use your mind to lower your score this year go http://ping.fm/lBPHn for all the details. To learn more about John Weir and his other services please visit http://ping.fm/5Zxb4
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