Every golf shot starts in the mind of the golfer. Before we ever
pull the club out of the bag, we have made numerous decisions regarding
lie, slope of ground, distance to target, wind direction and strength
of wind, firmness of green, visualization of shape and height of
the shot. We know that the ability to score well on any course is
our ability to control our ball. The ball is controlled by the clubface,
and clubface is controlled by the player's body, and the body is
controlled by the mind. Again, we arrive at the same point-the importance
of the mind in playing golf. Therefore, it is critical to know how
the golfers mind works.
No two golfers play the game the same way just as no two golfers
learn in exactly the same way. During my 25 years of working with
the best golfers in the world on the PGA, LPGA, and Senior PGA Tours,
I have consistently been fascinated by how differently these world
class golfers received and processed the information I was presenting
to them. However, I have been equally as interested in observing
high handicap golfers with whom I have worked in seminars and clinics
at golf courses around the country. I have learned something from
every student even if it is only what will not work in any given
teaching situation. Therefore, I work very hard to find a different
way of presenting the same concept to different learners.
The basis paradigm that use in working with golfers can be represented
by the formula:
Performance = Potential - Interference
This formula is simple without being simplistic. It
clearly shows that in order for your performance to equal your potential,
you must eliminate interference. Each golfer has his / her own unique
sources of interference and it is important that each golfer identifies
these sources of interference. For example, one of the more common
sources of interference for many golfers is fear, both fear or failure
as well as fear of success. Actually, if you examine the dynamics
of these two fears, you will find that frequently one is merely
the flip side of the other. For example, most people develop a fear
of success because they are afraid if the perform at a high level
once, they will be expected to perform at this level consistently
and they fear that they can never live up to this standard. Therefore,
fear of failure quite often is the genesis of fear of success.
There are many other sources of interference, which
prevent golfers from reaching their potential. For example, unrealistic
expectations, limited self concept development, disruptions in personal
life, fatigue both physical and mental, loss of perspective, and
lack of concentration skills are just a few examples of interference
experienced by many golfers.
It is critical for each golfer to identify his/her
consistent sources of interference and develop strategies to eliminate
as many of these interference's as possible. I am excited that the
format of GolfLink.com will allow the opportunity to present information
in an individual and instantaneous manner. This allows each golfer
to take the initiative in improving their own game and the quality
of the "faculty" assembled by GiolfSpan.com is the best available
in the profession. Let's go to work.
