Self-Talk on the Course Decides if You Win…or Lose!

How well do you remember the first time you held that club in your hand? Perhaps, your first memory of golf was, the smell of the early morning dew or, the mulch that the groundskeepers had just layed around the course. You weren’t truly nervous, the first time, because you had no great expectations of yourself. Golf was a new and exciting hobby that would allow you to break away from the norm. Whether your first time was on the driving range, the course or, in your own back yard; you chose to swing because it excited you. Putting wasn’t your first intention…it was the feel of driving that ball as far as you could that would make your heart race.

As the years go by, and our game improves, we find ourselves getting frustrated when we don’t sink the put or, when we land in the ruff. But, what if it isn’t your swing that is the issue. Perhaps, it’s not even your club or the ball you are using. I find that most golfers tend to blame everything except the one constant element in the game…the golfer!

When you step up to the tee, what is the first thought that dwells in your mind? Is it that you want to drive that ball as far as it will go or, is it to merely make it on the green? Maybe you are even thinking about what it could feel like to shoot your best game and have all of your friends pat you on the back! There’s nothing wrong with these thoughts, but are they the thoughts that you shoud have in your mind while you’re playing?

Many times, ameteurs and professionals alike, we tend to let these thoughts take control of our success. This may sound odd to the average golfer, but golf is much like personal development. There is an aspect of the human nature that holds true throughout any activity that we take part in, and that is self-talk. Self-talk can be good when you are affirming to yourself how successful you have the capability of being, but it can also become detrimental to yourself when you are doubting your abilities or, thinking to deeply on a simple task.

Take your club in your hands; don’t tee the ball yet, just feel the club. It is very much a part of you. Wrap your hands firmly around that leather grip and take a few practice swings. Don’t clutter your mind with your technique, don’t think about the game, don’t allow yourself to think about past mistakes…just allow yourself to feel that club as an extention of your arms.

Now, remove that ball and tee from your pocket and place the tee in the ground. Close your eyes and breath, when you open your eyes, without thinking, just find your stance swing back and drive that ball as if your entire body is a muscle attached to that club. When you make contact with the ball watch every movement that it makes. Keep your eye on it as it disapears into the bright spring time sky. Walk forward abit, as if the ball is pulling you along with it. Now feel yourself travel with the ball. Do you feel that?

That, my friend, is the feeling of freedom. Do you remember that feeling? When you were a kid, the very first time you took a ride on your bicycle and put your feet out to the sides, put your head back and released the handle bars. You had no idea the direction that bike was going to take you, nor did you care. Your only thought was the feeling of freedom, within you, that made you feel as if the wind was carying you.

It is in this moment of clarity and freedom that, you will find your ability to achieve great success, whether it be in golf or, life. Golf IS a game of skill, but it is also a vehicle toward freedom. Instead of going out there and competing, chose to go out there and seperate yourself from the normal trappings of life…and chose to allow the game to free your soul and your mind. At this moment, you will find that your game will improve, and so will your peace of mind.

Once again, this is Joe Pagano with your Pro-Golf Skills Official Tips. If you haven’t done so yet, please sign up for my monthly newsletter and free 7 day E-course where I will share lessons and golfing event updates with you that will enhance your experience with this sport, just go to The Official Pro-Golf Skills Newsletter with Joe Pagano .

Also, if you’d like to find out what all the buzz is about throughout the golfing industry and the PGA, why don’t you see what the big secret is that the pros are using to improve their stance and swing: go to The Power Stance Now!

Now get out there and enjoy the freedom of the game; and remember, Practice Right, Play Right, ThePowerStance.com