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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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Using your imagination, visualizing your shot, being present, trusting and committing to your swing are all essential aspects to playing your best golf. But if I told you to relax more, not take the game so serious, and be okay with whatever happens – that this too leads to more fun, more outrageous joy, more WooHoo ‘I’m on fire’ kind of demeanor – and you’ll play better golf, would you believe me? When you let go and find relief and learn to go with the flow downstream versus struggling ever so mightily paddling against the current upstream – you will find The Zone and the freedom to more fully express yourself without getting in your own way. Learn to trust life and let life trust you.
Remember: “If you think you can, or if you think you can’t, you’re both right,” Henry Ford. Likewise, if you think what I am inviting you to experience works, or doesn’t work, you’re right. You can accept or reject anything. The mind is a very powerful tool that has been running your life like a computer on automatic pilot for many years now. This is your subconscious brain, which runs 95% of everything in your life, including your golf game. Want to change the way you play golf for the better? You’ve got to change your thoughts and deposit more and more beneficial beliefs into the treasury of your subconscious mind that will automatically allow you to play golf with your natural freedom of expression.
The answer and wisdom lies within you. Now, it is up to you and your own Divine Mind to let it happen. If you (your ego) “thinks” that you can figure it all out – good luck. I tried that approach for over 30 years learning to hate the game I love. Thinking and doing the same things over and over again from an ego’s perspective is not only insane (Albert Einstein), it keeps you in the same stuck pattern of mediocrity, self-pity, fear, limited beliefs, and negative juju. Acting as if it is so from a Divine Mind perspective allows you to have more fun, smile often, enjoy, and develop an attitude of gratitude for this marvelous game of golf.
The Power Lies Within YOU!
Always has been…and always will be.
What is your greatest ambition in life and for your golf game?
What kind of a golfer do you know yourself to be? What do you want?
I came to this decision after years of trying very hard to work on my game – with very little to show for it. If only I could find that magic swing. If only I could drop into the slot. If only I could stay behind the ball. If only I could finish my swing; not be so nervous; remember what I’m doing; be on plane; figure this game out… If only I…
One day while in the middle of an intense internal “spiritual processing” program I announced that while I was here to work on my own internal understandings about God and about Life I also stated that it would be nice to play better golf too! It was if I was too afraid to ask to become a better golfer, ashamed of my fears – hiding behind an insecure little boy. All those years of trying so hard to figure it out – beating one range ball after another. The thought of becoming a better golfer kept coming up and I couldn’t deny it any longer. It was like, hmmm… perhaps this is another reason why I am here as well? I finally asked one of my Life Coaches about it while walking downstairs in a hotel while going to another processing program. Jim asked me what’s holding me back? I said I guess it’s my fears and afraid to play like I know I am capable of. He said, “Can you be with that?” Wow, no one ever gave me that kind of answer. Can I be with it?
As the 33 straight days of intense Life Education Program ended I came back home from my little cocoon, and gradually integrated myself back into “normal” society. Whoa, what a trip! I probably felt a little bit like Ricky Williams, the Miami Dolphins running back when he was off doing his healing and cleansing at his retreat, not too mention what Tiger is going through right now. It’s about coming clean, being authentic, and open to new understandings about life. Anyway, I took in quite a bit of stuff, to say the least. I also learned or was reminded about The Power of Intention, and to trust the power of The Universe, which at one time might have seemed more like the genie with the magic lamp – airy fairy woo-woo stuff.
After all this, I was now “ready” to put this stuff into play. It felt kind of like a test, like okay let’s give this understanding a real life experience. Let’s set a powerful intention. Let’s announce and declare, express and experience, become and fulfill who I really am. The “announce and declare” stuff is what I did. “I’m gonna be a five handicap or less by July 4th.” It stunned me to say this out loud. These are my words, my declaration, and my intention. I knew that you don’t have to know HOW, or BE READY. You just have to set the intention, commit fully, and really trust. That whole summer became an incredible roller coaster ride that tested my resolve, my fears, my acceptance, my perseverance, and my trust. I simply noticed, observed, and allowed whatever to come up, come up. Needless to say, my handicap steadily dropped from a 10 to a 7 to a 4.3 by July 4th. I then proceeded to set a new intention, “Okay Universe, awesome, I’m grateful…now I’m going to be a 2 handicap by the end of the summer.” I ended the summer at a 1.2 handicap.
The trick is learning to maintain an unwavering focus
upon your desired end result, your completed dream, the “finish line,”
without insisting upon, or even contemplating, its means of attainment,
no matter how logical, obvious, or tempting it may seem.
–Totally Unique Thoughts
This was and is my reality and my truth. What works for you, will be your reality and your truth. I’m simply inviting you to get in the game in a new way versus trying so hard to figure it out. Or perhaps you think you’ve already got it figured out? Is it working? That feeling of surrender and letting go, and letting God is what it was like for me. I tried the “I’ll figure this out path for 35 years.” Remember: The Power lies within YOU!
Three levels of awareness: I also see how this evolution and growth works in everything in life, including our golf game. Where are you?
1. Hope – I hope to make a thing happen, but it might not. I sure hope it does.
2. Belief – I have faith a thing will happen. I feel certain it will. I have faith in the outcome.
3. Knowing – I know a thing will happen. Knowing is a statement of fact. The energy of knowing is more powerful than any other energy in The Universe.
* Golf: I love it when I know I will sink this putt, stiff this shot, or hit a great drive!
Be as you wish to seem!
Putting To Nowhere
When you are playing or putting your best there is an almost magically effortless stroke. It is as natural as walking or driving your car without thinking. The same can be said about drinking a glass of water. There is no conscious effort to pick up the glass, hold it in your hand, lift your arm, tilt your head, or even swallow, and then to set it down on the counter softly. No, it’s completely natural and effortless. And believe it or not, when you are putting your best you’re not even thinking about it.
Remember when Hardy made the putt in Bagger Vance in the scene at night? He simply let it happen. I’m inviting you to practice more of the same. Obviously, you’ll read your putt. You’ll see the line. You’ll feel the distance. You will take in all the elements such as grain, speed, break, conditions, etc. – your body will process this in a matter of seconds. You’ll go through your normal practice routine. You’ll align your putter blade…and (here’s the secret), just prior to executing…relax, be present, and simply putt to nowhere, which also stands for now here. While the wisdom of your body will be putting to the target, the feeling is a putting to nowhere, giving your best effort, but effortless. All your focus is in the now - head down, eyes over the ball, feeling the line, and distance, shoulders, arms, and hands swinging naturally, almost pendulum like. There’s no flinching or sudden jerk, or any kind of tension whatsoever, just as natural as rolling a ball.
Putting to nowhere and now here are both one and the same. I am putting effortlessly feeling like I am putting to nowhere – even though my mind, body, and spirit have already calculated in everything in perfect harmony. All you have to do is get out of your own way and let it happen. Because if you try too hard to make it happen and want it so badly (too much future and result-oriented process), most likely peeking and coming out of your putt, you will end up pushing it further away. Likewise, if you have past thoughts of previous failure you are also out of the present moment of now. Playing present golf means you are now here in this moment, the only moment you will ever have. Here are the three keys to successful putting:
1. Seek joy first
2. You are now here
3. Putt to nowhere
Practice and remember these three concepts, especially integrating the concept of seeking joy and having fun first, and all the growth you could ever imagine will come joyously and abundantly into your life. Stop taking it so serious, and start having more fun! I guarantee your putting will improve and after it is all said and done so will your scores. Embrace watching your handicap drop. In fact, set an intention to play better golf (stretch your comfort zone) and you will.
Dialogue With Golf Enthusiast John Rowe
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
You Say You Want To Become a Better Golfer?
…what are you more committed too?
You say you want to become a better golfer? Have you asked to become a better golfer? You have haven’t you? Do you really, really want it? Is thinking about it kind of scary, wondering if you really could improve? How much time, effort, and energy are you putting into it? Are you visualizing on a daily basis? Are you focusing upon what you prefer? Are you working on those areas you can improve upon? Have you set an intention? Do you have a dream? What are you more committed too? In other words, what are you really doing with your time? And I’m just not talking about your work, your family, your home, etc. I’m talking about those free moments where you could be practicing more mental techniques, more putting exercises, more visualizations, more alignment with good feeling thoughts. How committed are you? Or are you just venting?
Most likely we will find that we really aren’t as committed as we thought we were. Most likely we find that we are just venting our own frustrations with our own poor me self-judgment about ourselves. Perhaps we somehow thought we could fool ourselves? Perhaps we thought if I can only understand my swing…then perhaps I would improve? Look, it’s not my job to give you advice…I’m here to inspire and remind you that the answer and wisdom, lies within you. What do you think it takes to improve, to become better, to be what you desire to be? Here’s what I think: it takes commitment 24/7 training our subconscious minds into becoming the champion we all know ourselves to be, to keep on reaching for better feeling thoughts giving our focus and energy upon what we prefer. And this work that we do to ourselves can really be an enjoyable experience…and it’s supposed to be fun. Life and golf are supposed to be fun. Now if you are happy with where you are then so be it. Just remember nothing stays the same and becoming better, becoming what you desire to be next begins just outside the confines of our own limited and self-imposed comfort zone. We’ve settled for less. Most of us have settled for mediocrity. Ouch!
Now, if you truly desire to become a better golfer…you will be shown the way. You’ve just got to make that inspired commitment…and if your goals don’t scare you, then they are not big enough. The three steps to this process are: 1) You ask, 2) Source Energy (God) / the universe answers, and 3) You align vibrationally with your asking allowing it in and expecting it to happen. Ask and it is given…expect it to be so. You act as if it is so. It’s your work to clear the doubts, the yeah buts, ifs, and I can’t. These kinds of negative programming kill the whole deal. The way we clear our negative programming is to think new thoughts that are in alignment with what we desire - giving more airtime on this…gradually the negative will begin to fade. It’s why the Dalai Lama says, “It is essential to think strongly and forcefully, I can do it,” without boasting or fretting.
The universe always hears our asking, always answers and yes God does work in mysterious ways…most often we will be shown the awareness of the opposite of what we desire to be first. Just remember that in order to understand being calm and relaxed we must first experience being tense and uptight first. In order to understand being with an acceptable and embracing mental mindset attitude we first experience being frustrated and impatient. In order to understand joy and going with the flow, we first experience anger and struggle. How do we go about this business of changing the way we see ourselves? Life is always showing us about life itself. Are you open to hearing the message knocking on your door? The best place to begin is exactly where you are right now. Surrender to this voice, this Source Energy, God within, and let go, allow it to be, just be your self and let it be. This is the moment where things begin shifting. It’s what many spiritual beings call a paradigm shift – you see life through a new lens. The moment you understand that I’m not there yet, but I am at least pointed toward it…I am where I am…is the moment you make peace with yourself and begin your new journey of living the life of your dreams.
The formula is to first have a dream, then you take action, next you will be shown how, then you’re on your way to living the life of your dreams…from ambition and desire to meaning and manifestation. It all starts with your surrendering to your God Source within and in your commitment to playing full out. It’s really about allowing the Well-Being in, being connected, and going with the flow instead of resisting, being out of alignment, and paddling against the current. All emotion is about where you are standing in the stream of life. You are either allowing the Well-Being in or you are resisting it. It’s as simple and as complex as that!
What this takes is an awakening, an appreciation and a connection with your higher (authentic) Self. Connecting with your higher Self is what all champion’s eventually come to grips with. It’s about becoming who you really are. It’s about connecting with this incredible being that your soul already knows itself to be. It’s about getting yourself up to speed with who you are now becoming. Golf and life takes on a whole new perspective and paradigm shift once we awaken and connect more fully to this incredible power within. What is your soul after? What the soul is after is the highest expression of who you really are.
What are you more committed too? Isn’t it about time to get back in the game? I invite you to enjoy the gap from exactly where you are right now eagerly anticipating where you are going next? Begin closing that gap all the while embracing and being happy now. Reach for the best feeling thoughts you can and with enthusiasm and passion desiring to become better than you used to be. It’s about feeling good. The sooner you start feeling good without trying to control all of those exterior circumstances outside of your self, the sooner you will be on your way. So, go ahead and start feeling good right now before you even play…and all the good things in life will come into your experience. Most think that they will feel good when they play well. It doesn’t work that way. You’ve got to feel good no matter what. Soon the better it gets…the better it gets. It’s why champions are tuned in, turned on, and tapped in more often than they used to be. Be a champion! You too are meant to win just like Tiger!
The Magic Formula
Want to play your best golf? It all starts here, right now. It all starts with a thought. We become what we think. A thought is the start of something bigger. Call it whatever you wish. A thought can be a goal, an intention, or a dream. Thoughts bubble up through our asking, which come through our dreams, our prayers, or our meditation. We all are asking beings with new desires. Living the life of our dreams is why we chose to come forth into this magnificent world filled with all kinds of ingredients to choose from.
Tiger first dreamt about being the best golfer in the world. That’s step #1. So, the magic formula works this way.
1. Have a dream and envision the end result first. Really involve all your senses.
2. Start now – take action. You don’t have to wait until you are ready. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to know how. You just have to take the next logical step. Commit to taking action – NOW! The how’s will come to you. Try on this quote largely attributed to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe:
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
3. The how’s will come as soon as you fully commit and take action from the thoughts, which have given life to having a dream.
4. Manifestation is living the experience in which you created. One day you simply wake up realizing you are living your dream. It is as simple and as complex as that!
5. Remember the Magic Formula for success, which is absolutely the amount of joy that you feel:
Dream (end result) + Action (commitment) = How’s (Providence – divine inspiration) + manifestation (perceived understanding from the eye of the beholder that you are actually living your dream).
Remember you are brilliant, worthy, and magnificent just exactly as you are. Be who you really are. Align with the abundant stream of Well-Being. That’s what this “The Zone” stuff is all about. Go with the flow!
All successful people practice this formula whether they are aware of it or not. They harness the power of intention and commit to a goal or a dream and move forward—and you can do this too! We all have the same chemistry makeup and ability to succeed with the gifts and talents within us. And it’s all relative to each one of us. We all have our own unique gifts to offer humanity. What we are really asking for is the freedom to fully express ourselves to our full potential. This magic formula will set you on your way.
So, instead of just watching your heroes on television and saying, “I wish I had what they have,” which is a form of projection, focus, lock onto the moment, become mentally strong, and be it and do it yourself! We all are modeling something, we all can dream. Instead of thinking wistfully about the accomplishments of Tiger or Lorena (Ochoa) or any other exemplary person or athlete, choose to model who they are and what they do. Or decide to become something entirely new, on your own, that you envision yourself to be. You have the power within you. Take back your own power – Espavo.
Follow your bliss. Keep on keeping on.
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