How to Win at Golf
What's the point of playing sport if you don't want to win? You may try to kid yourself that you're playing for the good of your health or because you enjoy the sport, both of which would probably be true, but the real satisfaction and joy comes from winning. If you don't believe me just study the attendance stats for a professional sports team which is on a run of poor results and near the bottom of the league table. Teams that win fill stadiums, losing teams empty them. People like to be associated with winning teams. We all like to win, it makes us feel better. This is about how to win at sport, any sport, but particularly about how to win at golf which is my game. There are certain actions and thinking patterns which are easy to learn which make a great deal of difference to any golfer's ability to win. In this article I will take you through the ones that I have found to be most effective. Preparation Can you imagine Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, or Phil Michelson arriving on the first tee without having spent a serious amount of time on the practice fairway to warm up? They also spend time on the putting green and probably check through their equipment with their caddie before they get to the tee. Serial winners prepare thoroughly. This is a major reason why they win so often. How much time do you devote to your preparation before you go out to play? Let's face it, most amateurs may take a few practice swings; they may even hit a few putts, if the practice green is conveniently nearby, but it is rare for them to go to the practice fairway before they hit their first drive. I think that your preparation should start long before you even get to the course. When I am really determined to win I start getting myself mentally ready during my journey to the club. In the car I start to think about how I am feeling that day. If I suspect that my feelings aren't 'right', perhaps I am feeling a bit apprehensive or tetchy, I set about taking charge of my feelings. There is no point in letting your feelings run away with you ? who knows where they will go? And, if you're not in charge of your feelings you will not play well. It is certain that you will not win. The good news is that your mind can control your feelings if you really want it to. After all, 'whose feelings are they?' If you created those feelings then you can also create a whole new set of feelings which will give you a much better chance of winning. It takes discipline to control your feelings. They often want to escape from your control, but you must not let them escape. You must be firm with yourself. If you find yourself feeling 'nervous' you must tell yourself to be 'calm'. If you're feeling tense, you must tell yourself to 'relax.' You may have to fight for mastery of your feelings but it is a battle worth fighting because if you win that battle you will probably win your round of golf as well. In fact I believe that most amateur golfers feel a bit shy about preparing too well. We don't want to appear over keen. But there's something even worse than that going on in our heads. We don't want to hit a bad shot and then have others laugh at us and say: "all that time you spent on the practice ground doesn't seem to have done you much good." And, there's something even worse than that going on in our heads ? we don't want to disappoint ourselves. We don't want to get ourselves all 'revved-up' and then go out and play badly. So we don't take a chance on the warm up in case it doesn't work. Let me suggest a few positive actions you can take in preparation for your round of golf which will help you a lot. They may even help you to win next time you play. First, make sure that you allow yourself plenty of time to get to the golf course. Enjoy the drive and enjoy taking charge of your feelings. Try to arrive at least half an hour before you are due to play. This will give you time to greet a few of your pals, have a drink, change and boot up. Spend 10 minutes on the golf range or in a golf net. Start with some stretching exercises. Then go through your golf swing in slow motion a couple of times. Hit a few shots concentrating on making a good swing with good tempo. Feel relaxed as you play your practice shots. Concentrate on accuracy rather than distance. Spend five minutes on the putting green. Start with short putts and gradually make them longer and longer. If you want to win you have got to sink putts. So make sure that you sink the short ones. Even if they're only a few inches it will help your confidence.Just try to get the long putts within a foot or two of the hole. Now that you've prepared physically and mentally all you need to do is step up to the tee, relax and fire the ball straight down the fairway. This is the first shot on the way to winning. About the author: David Ferrers is a respected Performance Coach and the author of countless articles on 'winning' and 'golf'. He invented The Academy of Winning, The Science of Winning at Golf and The 5 Fundamentals of Winning at Golf all of which are available as free downloads from his web site at http://www.Winning-Seniors-Golf.com
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
How Better Course Management Can Lower Your Golf Score
Whether you are just starting to learn golf, or you have been golfing for many years and you're just looking to refine your game, this will provide a good direction of focus for this season.
Golf Exercises - Improving Fitness for Power and Consistency
Perhaps one of the biggest changes in the golf world today is the increased emphasis on fitness for golf. Tour professionals and amateurs alike are practicing regular fitness routines specifically targeted for golf. The results are more powerful and stable golf swings. Needless to say, the scores are going lower.
How Different Courses Can Help You Become a Good Golf Player
Golf is an fulfilling and absorbing sport but, even so, there is a risk that you may become stale or bored if you do not change the place where you play. This makes golf different from other games, but the reason for this is the very nature of golf. To become a really good golf player, one needs to play according to the unique nature of every course, which in turn means that more than one course is ideal for the maximum development of your game.
Balance Your Checkbook and Golf Swing
We all search for it. Balance in our daily lives. Balance while riding a bike. Politicians are always debating a balanced budget in Washington, and most of us could use a little balance in our checkbooks. Balance is a term used in golf quite often as well. It's a "buzzword" and almost a cliché when it comes to the golf swing. I am sure you have heard numerous times from swing coaches that "you have to stay balanced when swinging your club." Others phrases that I hear when we talk about golf and balance are the following: "When it comes to a sand shot, dig your feet into the stand so you can stay balanced," "If the ball is on an uphill lie and above your feet, make sure you swing through the ball, and stayed balanced," and "Stay balanced when hitting the driver and get to the finish position in perfect balance." The list could go on and on, and I am sure all of you could probably add to the short list above.
Women?s Golf And Exercise
While golf is long overdue to benefit from the application of fitness, thanks to women like Annika Sorenstam, women are now realizing strength training and flexibility conditioning aren't just for men. The benefits on the golf course are well worth the effort of sticking to a regular golf fitness regime.
The Real Secrets Of Golf
Secrets of golf! Most golfers will do absolutely anything to improve their golf game and this is the reason why most are constantly in search of golf secrets to improve their game.
What Causes Golf Back Pain?
Why it that back pain is such a common complaint in golf and amongst golf players on any course?
The Beginners Game of Golf
A professional should give beginner golf swing instruction. In this way, you will learn to correct way to grip your clubs, stand, and swing. They will concentrate on the three fundamentals grip, stance, and posture so you will have the basic foundation to play the game.
Improve Your Golf Game With Perfect Golf Swing Drills
Perfect golf swing drills will help your golf game improve dramatically.
A Valuable Golf Exercise In Your Office When You Have A Moment
Golf exercise is not necessarily in a gym. Getting creative with what you have can make all the difference and have a very positive impact on your game.
Appreciating Your Core Golf Strength Will Improve Your Game
The core golf strength, unknown to many enthusiasts of the game is the conditioning and strengthening of the muscles in your body, which you use to play golf. The weaker and unprepared this core golf strength is, the weaker your game of golf will be.
Golf Specific Core Exercises Improve Your Drive Distance
What if I could give you three important exercises for golf and you were able to hit the ball further than you've ever hit it before? What if these exercises could be performed with a minimal investment of time and required no equipment. How about if I made it so simple and convenient you could simply perform them in the evening in the comfort of your own living space? What are you waiting for?let's get started.
Beginner or Novice Golfers: Start with a Pre-Owned set of Golf Clubs
As a beginner or novice golfer, you want to avoid the expense of purchasing a "New" set of golf clubs, and concentrate your efforts on finding a good set of "Used" golf clubs (also know as "Pre-Owned".)
The Golfing Greats - Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer, General of Arnie's Army, was speaking of golf, but he could have been describing his own life when he said, "Success in golf depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character." His sense of fairness, kindness toward everyone, and dry sense of humor have made him one of the most popular golfers to ever play the game. And he was pretty darned good at the game, too!
The Power of A Golf Training Club
Some golfer's idea of a golf training club is using their usual set of clubs to hit balls on the course the whole day.
3 Ways To Maximize On The Effectiveness Of A Golf Instruction Video
Golf instruction videos featuring techniques and tips from leading world class players are very common these days.
What Can A Golf Exercise Routine Do For Those Who Are Happy With Their Game
Can a golf exercise routine be useful to a golfer who is happy with the current quality of their game?
A Golf Fitness Tip Must Focus On The Golf Swing
There is no way that you can separate a good golf fitness tip from a good well executed golf swing. The golf swing is the most strenuous aspect of the game and a good golf fitness tip is one that helps you improve on your golf swing.
Golf Instruction Is Only Part Of The Equation
Golf instruction is critical in understanding the mechanics of the golf swing. I am a firm believer in golf instruction. However, golf instruction is not the ONLY component to optimal golf performance.
How A Golf Trainer Can Take Your Game To The Next Level
Having a golf trainer in your corner to give you guidance, motivation and ongoing, cutting-edge golf fitness information will put you leaps and bounds above your playing partners and competitors.
|
