by Jon Stabler
Imagine what it would be like to approach a round of golf with great confidence in your abilities, with the sure knowledge that you will perform your best. (Like Tiger Does)
What would it mean for you to perform more consistently?
How would it feel to be the steady, tough, take no prisoners, spit in their eye competitor who always comes through, who finishes the round well?
This all sounds like too much hype but it is possible for you to be this way....
Let me tell you a story of a young man we worked with recently and for a very short period of time, one weekend. While the results are amazing, his story is not unusual for us.
His name is Alex and he is a handsome young man, 16, who plays a lot of competitive golf. He has some great skills and some unusual technique.
We never met Alex before the school but he did take our personality assessment and our mental skills assessment online before the school. He had a chance to read those both before he arrived, so he had started learning before he got here.
The school started Friday night with a couple hours reviewing the results of his online assessments, answering questions and laying out the model for playing a competitive round well. Saturday we worked in class and on the course developing his personal mental routine, his ability to control his thoughts and level of tension. On Sunday we did it again on the course. He headed home just after noon.
Then the results started coming in...
First Alex played in a two man best ball tournament the next week. From his Dad's Blackberry the first day:
Alex and his partner shot 62 in match play today. Alex shot 31 on the back nine by himself. I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet but he looked very calm and focused on the back including three really pressure packed shots where his partner was out of contintion on the holes.
This tied them for first place.
The second day, shortened to nine holes because of weather:
Alex just eagled 18 to force a 3 way playoff. He drove the green and
made a 10 footer!!.... It was unbelievable. 18 is only 310 but up hill.
Alex birded the first playoff hole from 18 feet to win it.
A month later from Dad:
Alex's last 8 rounds in tournaments or tournament like conditions have been 71, 67, 73, 68, 69, 68, 74, 65. Every round but one was below the course rating. It must be working. Thanks. (Stroke average of 69.375)
The 65? At Jimmy Clay in Austin where the Texas State High School Championship is played. 73.8 rating.
When Alex came to the school one of the main things he wanted to know was, "How to get off the bogey train?"
It is clear from this story that Alex has talent. Now he is bringing it out and getting the most he can from it. After one weekend group school!
Imagine what it would be like to perform your best when it mattered.
Through our research on Tour and work with over 360 Tour Pros we have learned there are 5 Keys to Your Improvement.
In a nutshell they are:
1. Being in the "Present"
2. Managing Tension
3. Playing all Shots Athletically
4. Increasing Self Awareness
5. Knowing Yourself
Other, recent examples of the results of learning these 5 Keys:
-A talented and extroverted junior golfer in Florida learned to be present, and better manage her focus in her Junior year. She was less distracted by college coaches, eliminated many of the "big numbers", became more consistent, and solidified a full scholarship to Auburn.
-A talented junior golfer from California recently learned to be present and is developing greater self-awareness leading her to a strong second in an AJGA event with a very strong field. She then topped that performance by qualifying for the Women's U.S. Open at the age of 17!
-A freshman college golfer at a Division 1 school learned to manage her arousal and play more athletically under pressure. Instead of struggling her freshman year as so many college golfers do, she helped lead her team to the NCAA Finals and was just named second team All American!
-A tremendously talented mini tour player missed qualifying for the Nationwide Tour 5 times. Last October he committed to improving all 5 Keys and went on to earn his Nationwide privileges for 2008.
-An avid senior club player was consistently losing money to younger club members and was always left feeling he was capable of much lower scores. He committed to all 5 Keys in the Fall of 2007. He is now shooting consistently lower scores, winning money and is confident enough in his abilities to sign-up for more serious competition this summer!
-One LPGA player fell into a deep slump and was speeding toward career ending burnout and depression. Mainly because she was trying to emulate a practice and playing style and schedule that was not her own. She made a strong commitment to refreshing 3 and learning 2 of the 5 Keys (emphasis on getting to know her own tendencies and her own personality). Her joy and passion have returned, her game is soaring and she is truly having fun playing golf again.
These results are not unusual when you understand the 5 Keys and how they apply to you.
Here are some well known player examples:
Lee Janzen came to us after his first US Open win. The 5 Keys helped him win his second US Open.
Dave Stockton, Sr. has worked with on the 5 Keys since he turned 49 and dominated the Senior Tour for over 6 years.
Michelle McGann had not won on tour before working on the 5 Keys, then went on to win 7 times and has a 4-0 playoff record.
Gary McCord and Bart Bryant had not won on Tour. With the 5 Keys they both won several times, Bart on the PGA Tour and Gary on the Champions Tour.
These 5 Key areas can be yours to develop and raise your game.
One part of Being in the Present is using a good quality Mental Routine. Here is a video of Steve Veriato performing his Mental Routine for shots and putts. Notice how simple and easy it is. His mind is clear and he is fully committed to his shots.
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