| |
| |
|
Golf Information |
|
|
|
Do You Have the Confidence to Play Competitive Golf?
Competitive golfers are always in search of the elusive characteristic called confidence. For some, they had it and now have "lost it". Others, claim never to have had it, and aren't really sure what it is. Still more know what it is because they "see it in others", but don't think they have enough for themselves. Read about, watch, or listen to athletes as they talk about confidence, and how revered this trait is. The specific answer for optimal confidence is somewhat dependent on each person's own set of circumstances. Talent, opportunity, skill, luck, and many other factors can be plugged into the confidence equation. However, there are 4 steps you can use to instill the confidence of a championship golfer. 1. If you want to have the confidence of a champion, then begin training like a champion. Confidence comes primarily from optimal preparation and a sense of having all the requisite tools in the toolbox to adequately address the competitive situations that might confront you. This means work hard on your technical, physical, and mental preparation, or be prepared to face the inevitable consequence of self-doubt and worry when faced with difficulty when performing. 2. Catch yourself doing things right. Most of us, when asked, can recount a litany of things that we didn't do well the last time we were on the golf course. How many things can you recall that you did well? Most of us have expectations that we're supposed to do certain things when we compete, and fail to give ourselves the credit due when we do these (so-called) routine things. Every time you hit the drive into the fairway, make a four-foot putt, or hit a green in regulation is a positive accomplishment. How many deposits do you make in your confidence bank? If you're like most, you're certainly making plenty of withdrawals! 3. Strengthen your weaknesses. Make an honest accounting of where you believe yourself to be weakest and do whatever it takes to improve. This can be a physical or mental area, and addressing the "weakest link" will boost your confidence. Virtually every player with whom I've worked has a particular area of his or her game that feels weak relative to the rest, and few people are willing to put in the extra time and energy to overcome this. It's usually more enjoyable and less frustrating to work on our strengths. 4. Measure yourself against your own criteria. Many people allow their confidence to be shaken easily and quickly because of comparisons to others. How many of us have experienced the circumstance where we're feeling pretty good about our abilities, only to permit our egos to be bruised because someone else we see is faster, stronger, more consistent, or more proficient? This is toxic to our confidence, without regard to how we're performing. If, instead, we measure our performance based on our own realistic expectations and where we are developmentally, we are much less likely to be caught up in the race to be as good as someone else. Instead, we are in the race to improve ourselves and rely on our own standard to evaluate our gains and/or setbacks. Jeff Troesch, MA, LMHC is an internationally recognized expert in the mental side of golf. As the former Director of Sport Psychology for the David Leadbetter Golf Academies, Jeff has worked with thousands of golfers nationwide and brings a wealth of experience to seasoned golf professionals as well as the recreational golf lover. You may contact Jeff directly through his website, http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.
MORE RESOURCES:
Golf - Google News |
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
5 Golf Fitness Tips That Work If you have turned on the television to watch any golf tournament over the last couple of years, you obviously already know the strong role that fitness plays in improving your golf game. When you engage in a regular fitness routine, you're preparing your body for improved performance by building a lean, strong, fit physique capable of more control and consistency with your clubs. Golf Vacation Schools - Choose the Perfect Golf School Vacation for Your Game Golf Schools, like golfers, come in all shapes and sizes. Don't make the mistake of attending any golf vacation school. Are You Fully Benefiting From Your Golf Swing Training Videos The golf swing is so central and so important to the game of golf that any improvement tips and especially golf swing training videos are greatly desired and valued by golfers everywhere.Yet the question will often arise about just how effective these golf swing training videos are in improving golfer's drives on the course, let alone their scores. Master Flexibility Training And You'll Conquer The Playing Field In Golf Is it difficult to rotate your body through the full range of motion in your golf swing? Do you stop short on your back swing? Lack of flexibility can adversely affect not only your golf game, but your health as well. Different muscles are called upon at different points in the golf swing. Focus Your Focus - How to Ward Off Distraction During Your Golf Swing There is a great possibility to lose your mind when playing golf simply due to the constant shifting of focus. I think the brain doesn't like to change focus. Improve Your Putting By Developing Rock Solid Confidence On The Green All of us have missed a short putt before. It is frustrating to miss something you know you can make! And most often a missed short putt can cause a chain reaction of bad play. Golf Tips - Finding that Winning Grip and the Cures for Grip Related Problems The correct grip is a key fundamental component of a golfer's game and is required to have a consistently good straight game, giving you the ability to shoot low scores with ease.When the grip is faulty, poor shots often result along with an inconsistent and unreliable game. Golfing Products And What You Need To Know Before Purchasing In recent years, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of golfing products available in the market. Most notably golfing products that are supposed to dramatically improve one's game, virtually overnight. Power Golf The Easy Way Power golf is a game very few golfers can play. What I mean by that is?power golf takes a certain level of golf specific strength and flexibility. Golf Course History - You Could Play On The Worlds Oldest Golf Course The oldest golf course in the world.. How To Improve Your Golf Swing Timing Golf swing timing is a key factor in being able to repeat a mechanically sound swing for 18 holes. In fact it is true to say that correct timing is everything. How A Simple Golf Stretch Can Add 20 Yards To Your Drives To quickly improve your golf, stretch your golf muscles regularly!What's the difference between a "golf stretch" and an everyday stretch? The answer to this question may be your missling link to a great game and years of enjoyment instead of frustration and weak attempts at quitting the game.I know?you've considered it! I've been there many times. How A Female Golfer Can Quickly And Easily Improve Distance And Accuracy? Female golfers, like their male counter parts are looking for quick and easy ways to improve their distance and accuracy. I wish I had the "magic bullet" to accomplish this overnight, but that's not possible?even if you see it in an advertisement. Increase Golf Swing Speed Easily Golf swing speed is an elusive term for most amateur golfers. We've all heard of it and know it relates somehow to longer drives, but how can we increase golf swing speed quickly and effectively?Do you think it's swing harder? Have you tried that approach? What happened? I can take a wild guess. 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. Public Golf Courses - Making The Right Choice Chances are, if you're just starting out, you haven't decided to apply to a fancy country club yet so you can play their outstanding course, right? That's a very good idea, because there are probably several public golf courses close to you that are just as terrific and much cheaper too! Do you think Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson started out on private courses? I doubt it! Even though we can't all have the status of a Woods or Mickelson, we can make sure that we don't have an argument with our wallet every time we want to hit the course for some practice time on the driving range or to get in a leisurely round.Of course, the first thing you want to check at a public golf course is the course itself. Golf the Real Thing The grass is always greener on the other side. Not as green as I felt on the inside the day I decided to check out this golf lark. Myrtle Beach Golf - Quality and Quantity Myrtle Beach is the best of both worlds for every golfer, QUALITY and QUANTITY. The Grand Strand has over 120 courses designed by the best in the game: Dye, Jones, Nicklaus, Palmer, and Fazio to name a few. Secret 7 Necessities for Great Golf The game of golf can be difficult when you consider all of the individual elements. Most golfers are overwhelmed with information regarding which tips will benefit their game and which ones won't. 3 Myths About Golf Conditioning Golf has always been viewed as a game of leisure. But today's golfer is leaner, stronger, and fitter.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2007 |
