Practice Visualization

November 25, 2009 · Filed Under Golf Tips, Mental Golf · Comment 

It takes zero effort when visualizing upon your hearts desire, and your natural state of being. It’s completely natural and effortless when you simply allow yourself to be who you really are. The only thing in your own way is you. On the course if you let results get in the way, embarrassment issues get the best of you, believe you can’t, or any number of other foolish self-sabotaging, limited beliefs run your life then you will absolutely draw more of those unwanted experiences into your life on the golf course.

Instead visualize upon every shot, meditate and set intentions before every round, let joy be your new measure of success and let your imagination become your most familiar vibration. Focus upon what you want, upon what you prefer. Dream and you will gravitate towards the picture you are painting. Stop looking at “what is” and start looking at what you “prefer.”

“Imagine your ideal future. Your imagination is your preview to life’s coming attractions.”

—Albert Einstein

I invite you to visualize and imagine more and therefore look around less. Focus on what you prefer, visualize where you see the ball going. Most are looking around and responding to what they are seeing, i.e. bad shots, trouble on the course, embarrassment of looking bad, fear of playing bad, scared of losing, bogeys and worse, missed putts, all taking you on a downward spiral. Many do not like what they are seeing, which only draws more of those kinds of thoughts – I want that not…I don’t like that…I hate missing that putt…I suck. We get caught in the proverbial catch 22 and there is no place to run, and no place to hide. Visualization upon what you prefer helps pave the way in being your best.

Look, it takes zero effort to feel compassion for a loved one with a health issue. It takes zero effort to feel romantic with a loved one watching a romantic movie. It takes zero effort to play your best golf because it’s outrageously fun.

Therefore, instead of looking at “what is” turn your attention to “what you prefer.” Visualization is the key to playing your best golf. “I never stroked a putt that I hadn’t already made in my mind,” Jack Nicklaus. What’s that called? Visualization! Get yourself into that state of being and you will find yourself in The Zone more often than ever before. You will ultimately play better golf when you let it happen versus trying too hard to make it happen.

Jack Nicklaus pre-shot routine

1. I never hit a golf shot without having a sharp picture of it in my head.
2. First, I “see” where I want the ball to finish.
3. Then I “see” it going there, it’s trajectory and landing.
4. The next “scene” shows me making the swing that will turn the previous images into reality.

Simple Secret Reminder: The shot produces the swing, not the other way around. Most will have a hard time letting go of this trying to control the shot versus just letting it happen…naturally, less arduously, and with zero effort. Visualize, visualize, visualize!


Dialogue With Golf Enthusiast John Rowe

November 9, 2009 · Filed Under Golf Tips, Mental Golf, Success Stories · 1 Comment 

There is nothing more thrilling than a willing student!

John Rowe came to see me personally this past summer upon reading the article in the Petoskey News-Review regarding the releasing of my new book, The Fairway of Life. He just had to have an autographed copy and connect with me personally. I am so grateful he did. As it turns out he remembers my dad from many years ago. I recently received an e-mail from him and asked him if I could share it with all of you. I also provide some of my own feedback and questions back to John. Thanks John! Here’s to keeping on…

Rand,

I finally finished, “The Fairway of Life”. The delay was due mostly to a great September for golf! For the first half of the book it seemed a little like one of my pastor’s sermons; I found myself saying, “I get it, I get it!” Then for the rest of the book, I couldn’t get enough because I REALLY did get it! This is a must read for any golfer whether he’s there already or has lots of room for improvement.

John, interesting that you mention the part about a pastor’s sermon. That’s exactly what I thought I would be asked to become when I fully surrendered to God. I went on to ask John if in his opinion everyone could benefit from the messages in the book, including say a Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson?

As for Tiger and his peers, if there is such a thing, it seems to me that ANYONE can benefit from a continuing education. That is to say, if they live with an open mind, then they are receptive to new and enlightening concepts; much like rereading the Bible or other spiritual writings. NO ONE got it all the first time through! And surprisingly, many of these very talented athletes will mention a book about their field they have recently read. Phil Mickelson is taking, as well as giving, short game lessons; doesn’t that indicate a continuing desire to learn and teach? My answer is a resounding YES, to your question!

A good teacher teaches what they need to learn even more. Practice the Infallible Formula: cause another to become that which you desire to be even more. Phil does this with his short game video, and Tiger with his clinics.

As a result of reading your book, I have developed for myself 4 main thoughts in anticipation of playing a round:

1) SEE THE BALL, BE THE BALL!
This encompasses all the various swing thoughts such as grip, setup, alignment, spine angle, clubface angle, etc.

2) LET IT HAPPEN!
For me, this replaces my “slow the tempo” thought, which I need when I start to rush my backswing because of a previous miss hit.

3) I AM LIVING THE DREAM!
This a “warm fuzzy” thought on my way to the course to tell myself I am the luckiest guy in the world! It is also a great “comforter” on the course should I begin to doubt why I play the game.

4) I AM A CHAMPION!
The use of this phrase is self-explanatory!!

I put these to use the other day as I played Hawk’s Eye with friends and it really does work! The weather was windy and 45F; why go to Scotland? I played some of my best golf although my score wasn’t great. I three-putted too often.

Just got back from playing 18 at Little Traverse Bay today (10/18) 46F and breezy; my partner was very impressed with my game and I did not tell him of your book yet, because I didn’t want his unsolicited observation tainted. He says something wonderful has changed in my game. As a note to you for future reference, his name is R** L********; just so you know a name of a real person who didn’t know before hand what he was seeing!!

Thanks for the walk,

John Rowe


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