Mental Training for Golfers: Attitudes that Sabotage Commitment
Plateaus in performance sometimes occur when you don't see any measurable improvement in score even though you are working hard. "I'm practicing more than ever, but I don't seem to be shooting better scores," many players tell me in frustration. Thus, when you don't see gains in performance or have a coach pushing you daily, it is difficult for golfers to stay committed to their training. In this issue of Peak Performance Golf Insights, I discuss how golfers lose or sabotage their own commitment to training and ideas for how to increase commitment.
What is commitment? Commitment is a type of motivation. It is the ability to stick with a program, method, or philosophy and apply it daily over a long period even in times of adversity. How do you stay committed to your practice plan and goals? By reminding yourself of your dreams and performing the daily tasks you need to reach your goals.
The first step to improving commitment is to identify beliefs or distractions that sabotage your motivation. Armed with this information, you are in a position to change your attitude for the better. Here are seven ways people get sidetracked or sabotage their own commitment.
1. Impatience with improvement. Probably the number one form of sabotage. Golfers want a quick fix, something that works immediately, and if it does not work fast, they are prone to throw it away and not try it again. This may be true of both the mental and physical parts of the game. This is why a golfer jumps from one instructor to the next looking for the quick fix.
2. Rationalizations that sabotage your success. Rationalizations are excuses people use to avoid doing something. A smoker rationalizes why smoking is not harmful to smoke (smoking won't hurt me, I' don't inhale deeply"), for example. Golfers sometimes rationalize or justify why they should not go practice, take regular lessons, or work on their mental game. Some players think they will be ready to improve mentally when they are finished working on their swing. When are golfers ever finished with their swing?
3. Fear of trying and not succeeding. Are you afraid of going after your dream and not succeeding? There are no guarantees that if you work harder and put all your energy into getting better your game will improve. But some players can't stomach the fear of not reaching their goals if they give it their all.
4. Distracted by Others. Do others distract your from your mission? Do your friends ask you to go party every night? Are others giving you advise that contradicts what you are trying to do with your coach? If you said yes, then you are letting others distract you from your mission.
5. Over-load Syndrome. Warning: Too much information can be dangerous to your golf game. A few golfers I know actually sabotage their commitment to getting better by listening to every instructor and guru in golf and trying to integrate everything anyone has said about the golf swing or mental game. This person usually ends up more confused, wonders why he is not playing better, and then gives up trying.
6. Over-training Syndrome. Are you a candidate for burnout? Training too much can also cause you to spin your wheels because you are mentally and physically exhausted and are bothered by nagging injuries. Working 15 hours a day on your golf game will not lead to success. Marathon runners don't run 25 miles a day to prepare for competition. Your body needs rest, your mind needs a break. Yes, it is possible to work too much. There is a term for it in the workforce-workaholic.
7. Know-It-all syndrome. This is more rare with the players I work with, but one that should be mentioned. If you "know it all," then others, even experts, can't help you get better. The "know it all" is not teachable-he believes he already has the information to be successful.
Other forms of sabotage exist that limit a golfer's ability to commit to a program-whether that's a fitness program to improve strength, a swing training program to hit the ball better, or a mental game program to improve attitude-but these are the most prevalent. The fist step in making positive changes is to identify self-sabotaging beliefs, rationalizations, or behaviors that cut short your motivation to be successful. Then you will be ready to change your behavior to increase commitment.
Dr. Patrick J. Cohn is a master mental game coach who works with athletes of all levels including amateur and professionals. Visit Peaksports.com to gain access to over 500 exclusive mental game articles, audio programs, and interviews with athletes and coaches to enhance your athletic potential: http://www.peaksports.com/membership/ or call 888-742-7225.
Latest News
 GolfDigest.com | Kim, Villegas lead charge for PGA Tour's young stars USA Today - Actually, Garcia arrived on golf's grand stage at 19 when he nearly chased down Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA Championship and a month later was 3-1-1 as the ... Golf-Singh to miss next four Tour events due to knee surgery PGA Tour Commissioner Finchem to appear on Golf Channel tonight Golf Channel HD Kicks Off With PGA Tour |
 Slippery Brick | How Can a GPS Help Your Golf Game? Ask Garmin PC Magazine - The only thing caddies have to do is carry the bag. by Craig Ellison LAS VEGAS—If you want to slice a few strokes off of your golf game, Garmin's new ... New Garmin GPS unit helps your golf game Garmin® Goes Golfing with Approach™ G5, New Touchscreen GPS Device ... |
Disc golf referendum might face legal question MSNBC - CHICO -- A referendum seeking to keep disc golf courses in upper Bidwell Park faces a legal issue that could potentially allow the Chico City Council to ... City Council Changes Mind About Disc Golf City Council Votes To Restore Disc Golf In Upper Bidwell Park Council takes on disc golf again |
Xerox Golf Classic Won’t Run This Year 13WHAM-TV, NY - (Rochester, NY) – Xerox has decided to drop its sponsorship of the PGA this year, and move those marketing dollars into other areas. ... Xerox Classic golf tournament goes on hiatus Xerox Classic goes on hiatus for lack of sponsor |
Area golf calendar Dallas Morning News, TX - To submit tournaments for the area golf calendar, send the information to texasgolf@dallasnews.com or via facsimile machine to 214-651-0580. ... |
 Times Online | Palmer, 79, is still the King San Jose Mercury News, USA - By Eric Pinkela Even at 79, more than 20 years removed from his last victory on any tour, nobody can justly claim that the game of golf has passed Arnold ... The Long Shot Rough Putting: Five Things To Watch In 2009 Tiger may defend Match Play title in Tucson |
 GolfDigest.com | Golf-Recovering Seve targets return as Royal Trophy captain Reuters.uk, UK - BANGKOK, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Seve Ballesteros is planning to return to golf next year as captain of Europe's Royal Trophy team after starting rehabilitation ... Olazabal: European skipper Olazabal wary of Asian threat in golf showpiece Europe urged to win for Seve |
Troubled Collins Hill Golf Club open, but with ‘skeleton crew’ Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - By PATRICK FOX The Collins Hill Golf Club is still open, but things are no better than they were last month when the governing board asked the county to ... |
 Arizona Republic | 16th Hole to be "Stadium Golf Hole" KTAR.com, AZ - This year the hole will have a different look, as it will become the sport's first "stadium golf hole". There are now an additional 3000 general admission ... FBR officials watch closely to see if recession affects golf fans The 16th Hole At TPC Scottsdale To Be Fully Enclosed For FBR Open PGA Tour Schedule |
Man found dead in Grover Beach near Pismo State Beach golf course ... San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA - Bickford’s body was found just after 5 am Wednesday near the golf coursen entrance at the end of Grand Avenue near the beach, according to the Sheriff’s ... Body Found Near Golf Course Body discovered on the Pismo Beach State Golf Course Dead body found near Pismo Beach State Golf Course |
Resources
-
The Simple Golf Swing
Unlock Your Hidden Potential by Discovering the Golf Swing that is Delivering Consistent, Accurate Distance to thousands of golfers world-wide.
-
Golf Options: Hit Fairways Your Way.
New Golf System that Explains How Setup and Swing Factors Affect Ball Flight and Solutions to Common Golf Problems.
-
Golf Fitness Book - Golf Exercise Guide - Golf Training Workouts
Golf fitness exercise training book providing Golf workouts,Golf stretches,Golf exercises and Golf swing tips to improve Golf swing.
-
Golf Tips, Golf Lessons and Golf Instruction- Guide On How To Break 80
How to Break 80 is an instructional guide for golfers looking to get Golf tips, Golf lessons and Golf instruction.
-
Golf FREE At Golf Courses And Get Paid!
Discover the secret to playing free Golf at Golf courses anywhere and make up to $897 a week for playing Golf.
-
The Dave Way.
Destroy your Golf Slice in a matter of Minutes using this Revolutionary New System! Success Guaranteed. Sports & Recreation.
-
ShopUntilYouDrop.net - Get paid for shopping, eating out and more...
Get paid for shopping and eating out. Shop at your favorite stores, eat at popular restaurants, see the latest movies, shop the internet. Even your purchases are free!
-
Golf Fitness Experts provide comprehensive guide to better Golf
Golf exercises, mental strategies, and swing instruction from 7 leading Golf experts.
-
Play Golf For FREE And Get Paid To Play...
PaidToGolf reveals how to play FREE Golf and get paid to play.
-
Golf Game Method Book Putting Scoring Clubs Teeing Off Golf Instruction Ebook To Score In the 70s Im
This Revolutionary New Instructural Method is So Simple So Easy to Learn So Effective Golf putting Golf book shooting in the 70