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New Release
The Fairway Of Life
Simple Secrets To Playing Better Golf By Going With The Flow ~
Rand Scott Marquardt
Life & Mental Golf Performance Coach 
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FacebookThe 2009 Masters
What drama. What story lines. From the poor beginnings as a 10-year old caddy, Argentine Angel Cabrera emerges as The Masters Champion, his second major after winning the 2007 U.S. Open. Angel took pride in never needing a sports psychologist at his side. Instead, he opted for his trusty pack of cigarettes. There is more than one way to skin a cat. If Angel ever does get rattled it’s after some poor execution where he gets down on himself. On this day, for this occasion, he was the one left standing - for himself and perhaps - for the memory and honor of his fellow countrymen Roberto De Vicenzo.
The 2009 Masters began with some fireworks right from the get-go. The cool Texan, Chad Campbell, started off in record setting form opening with 5 straight birdies. Kenny Perry was playing on house money having accomplished more than he ever imagined with his golf. “Everything is a bonus,” he told us. He’s grateful and appreciative, a true gentlemen and sportsman. He set his goal to play in the 2008 Ryder Cup and now to win 20 times on tour and compete in majors. Everything is going along according to hoyle. It always does. The universe is always yielding to our desires and our asking; now it is up to us to allow it in. Anthony Kim found out he was taking his first round at Augusta National Golf Club way too serious. With the tragic death of Angel’s baseball pitcher, Nick Adenhart, it put it all into perspective for Kim. Life is a precious gift, “That could’ve been me,” he said with a somber heart. Kim set a Masters record with 11 birdies in his second round of golf, posting a 65.
Then came Sunday. First it was Phil to make a charge, next it was Tiger. The roars were deafening throughout the tall pines and magnolias, several groups ahead of the leaders. Everyone was following the two giants - the energy was maddening. The stage was set for a memorable Masters. Then Phil missed two short putts, and Tiger bogeyed…again. Soon after #’s 1 & 2 in the world exited the stage, three were left standing.
Besides the sheer exhilaration of just watching such an event, Nick Faldo provided extraordinary commentary into his own psyche, a past 3-time Masters Champion in 1989, 1990, and 1996. Personally, I resonate with his philosophy more than any other. On the inside I’m not too sure if Faldo’s philosophy is too much different than Cabrera’s mental mindset. It’s just a matter of what works and how we end up believing in ourselves, or not? Cabrera came from nothing but pure desire and sure will. He emerged from the caddy ranks onto the biggest stage of them all - winning a green jacket. Faldo had dreams too. He set intentions; he let his will and his belief in himself turn him into the champion that he is. He practiced training his mind. The key is to find out which way works for you.
Faldo says, “You really got to believe you will make everything. Today I will hole everything.” In order to pull off the shots you need:
Inner courage
Inner knowing
Inner self-belief
Faldo says, “What it takes is to be totally in the moment.” You need:
Creative visualization
A wonderfully def touch
And from high above the Georgia pines the golfing gods on your side
Faldo talks about meditating and how the new guys look at him and say, what’s that? He talks about how he used to meditate twice a day, which allows him to become more present, more peaceful, and helps set the tone and intention for his day and his round.
I write about all of these things in my book, The Fairway of Life: Simple Secrets To Playing Better Golf By Going With The Flow due out in mid-May. The best way is to find out what way works for you. Remember: my way is merely one-way and there are plenty of paths. Do you like what you are seeing with the results in your golf game? Are you making strides? What small action step can you take today that will make you a better you and a better player tomorrow?
Perhaps we can all agree that no matter what: life and golf is supposed to be fun!
Becoming a Better Golfer By David Zmikly
Hi Rand, I’m excited to share a breakthrough I’ve recently experienced. First, thank you for your commitment to yourself, the game of golf, and to this amazing website…I am inspired and it’s time for a change!
My game has been the same for 10 years or more, as you know, pretty stagnant. Sure, I’ve had a few decent rounds, but for the most part I’ve hovered around the low to mid 90’s. Through your guidance however, I’ve chosen to step out of myself to observe who and how I’ve been being, on and off the course. Like most, I’ve always wanted to score better, but I can see now that my approach to the game is what has hindered me. Every time I’ve played in the past, I’ve gone to the course carrying my baggage (not my golf bag); fear, doubt, worry and pride. “What if I play bad? I don’t want to lose money! Will people get upset if I suck?” Sometimes I could hide these inevitable landmines, and begin with a couple pars, possibly even a birdie, but sooner than later the demons would surface and get the best of me…all because of my ‘concern’ of being able (or not) to shoot a low score. The focus of my game was always the score, never on really enjoying myself, the comradery of friends and being grateful for the beautiful surroundings. Even when I tried to tell myself to relax and enjoy, my subconscious was constantly talking about score, score, score! I had to ‘look good’ and thought I could only be happy if I played well. Consequently, every bad shot, bad hole and bad round left me disappointed, again.
I remember playing an outing with 8-10 guys at Pine Knob, and being so disgusted with my game that afterward I got in my car and left without a word to anyone…what a loser! Another round I threw my 4-iron into a 40 ft. pine tree surrounded by junipers, and never found it. I couldn’t have been a good sport if I tried.
The last couple years though I’ve found peace with letting go of worrying about the outcome, even when I knew I wanted to ‘look good’ but couldn’t. My mind was made up that “My score is my score, so I’ll just accept it.” This did give me relief, although it didn’t lower my score. I simply resigned myself to the fact that I sucked no matter how hard I tried, so I might as well get used to it and enjoy myself anyway I decided to just give up on even trying as soon as my game went to hell (which was ususally on the front nine), and drink away my misery on the back.
That was then, this is now. As we talked about last night, I’ve never been so inspired and excited about my game. Your guidance and wisdom hit me like a brick Rand, and I got it. I got that ‘Going With the Flow’ means going with the flow of life, realizing and understanding that we are all connected to the omnipotent Energy of the Universe/God, and by virtue of the Law of Attraction and Deliberate Creation, we are creating our own reality every day! Our thoughts, words, feelings and emotions are all energy, so that which we radiate draws back to us an equal energy in response. So, I get now how I can harness this amazing power that we all have, and use it to my advantage in my golf game, as well as in life. I’m vibating like crazy, knowing now that I can go out to the course with confidence, and play a game with myself, inside of my game and actually have fun
I heard Jack Nicklaus say during an event a few weeks ago something I had never considered in my 25 years of playing, something you’ve also suggested. He always first visualized the end result of every shot, and then the flight or roll of the shot, and then let the picture create the swing. Wow, what a concept. I’ve felt that my visualization was good, but I never let go and surrendered my swing. I always tried to control it, and there in fact was the problem.
I had an epiphany, in realizing the problem and understanding the power of the solution. Never before have I had the genuine confidence to say that I could break 80, and now I know that I can and I will, this summer. The idea for me is to play a game with myself, within my game. I’m excited knowing that all I have to do is let go of the ’score’ and trust that my visualization and alignment with Well-Being will lead the way. In this knowing, I accept that I will have good shots and bad, I am where I am and it will take time to improve…and I will! So each round will be a game for me to become aware and observe myself in action, focus on each shot (not even the hole), accept the outcome without attachment and practice being grateful, for my friends, the surroundings and my growth. Feeling good and accepting the results will naturally lead to a better game, and the better it gets the better it gets. I already know it’s going to work because I remember clearly instances in the past when I called shots beforehand (being cocky), and to my amazement they manifested…instantly! Had I only understood the power that’s been harnessed and patiently awaiting to assist…but that’s okay, I’m perfectly fine with it. I’ve come to the realization that being happy is more important than being a ‘low score’ whether I accomplish it or not, so my key to enjoying golf and life, is to unconditionally accept my game exactly as it is, and exactly as it is not. And for that, I am grateful.
Thanks my Friend, you’re the best!
David Zmikly
“The will is greater than the skill!”
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