Use Patience to Eliminate Emotional Mistakes

          We live in the 21^st century where we have instant gratification from using technology that gives us what we want right now. For example, 

1. We don’t have to get up from our chair to change a TV channel. The remote control does it for us instantly.
2. If we don’t like the TV channel we can surf through hundreds of programs in a matter of seconds.
3. Internet surfers demand shorter and shorter blogs to read.
4. When we don’t get the result we want on the computer, we immediately try something else.
5. We use faxes, email and texting for instant communication.

      Gratification is the emotional pleasure reaction to fulfilling a desire. You need to be aware of your behavior to instantly want things to happen so that it doesn’t carry over to the golf course. Seeking this gratification on the golf course can lead to rushing through preparation to hit a shot. Sometimes using productive behavior off the course can be an unproductive behavior on the golf course. The good news is that we can change our behavior any time we are aware of it.

       Emotion, like your thoughts, is a motivator of behavior. When you are emotionally bothered on the golf course, take notice of the annoyance and take action to change it to your benefit. The more times you do this, you will train your brain to act in an automatic way. Here are some opportunities on the golf course when you need to have self-control by using your mental skill of patience:

1. When you are ready to hit the ball and are distracted by noise. Back off from the ball and go through your pre-shot routine again.
2. When there is a slow player in your foursome. Do not speed up your preparation to make up for the delay by the slow player. Prepare patiently  when it is your turn to hit.
3. When your foursome is a hole behind the group ahead. Play “ready golf” until you catch up.
4. When you miss a six-footer for par and have a short putt coming back. Remember that every putt counts the same and requires the same amount of time to execute.
5. When you have “lost your swing” during the round. Have the patience to regain your tempo until it comes back.
6. When you are distracted by someone moving in your peripheral vision. Don’t let your ego tell you it doesn’t matter. Wait until they have stopped moving and begin again.

 For more information on how to play at your peak performance levels call Joan at 828-696-2547 for a complimentary 15-minute consultation.  Feel free to email this mental golf blog to any of your friends who might like to know about it. They can then subscribe by simply clicking here.