It has been raining for several days here in western North Carolina and the golf courses are closed. It is a good time to reminisce about how playing golf enhances our lives. The thing that unites us all on the golf course is the mental part of the game. As humans we all go through the same mental and emotional limitations that have to be overcome. Here are some quotes from famous professionals on what golf has taught them about themselves.
ARNOLD PALMER
“I’m absolutely flattered,” Arnold Palmer tells Golf Magazine of being voted the golfer you’d most like to tee it up with. Asked about the secret to his popularity he said, “I think it’s because I enjoy people. I talk to them. My No. 1 rule for a friendly round of golf: Make sure my playing partners enjoy their game. I offer tips. I compliment good shots. It’s important to let people know you enjoy their game as well as yours. And then we go enjoy it a little more at the 19th hole.”
“I’ve quit worrying about poor shots.
I just tell myself; Relax, Bozo.
If you can’t have fun, you shouldn’t be out here.”
PATTY SHEEHAN
JASON DAY
“You have to take risks and be okay with failure. Sometimes you’ll win in style, and sometimes you’ll lose big. Accepting either result gives you a sense of calm.”
SAM SNEAD
“You don’t think about how to swing the axe when you’re splttin’ wood,” he once told a young reporter. “The same is true of a golf swing. Once you get ready to swing, you just let it go. The smoother you swing, brother, the easier the wood splits. Same thing with a golf swing.”
MICHELE WIE
“When I was younger, I spent so much time talking about the future, I want to worry about now, what makes me happy now. Thinking too far in advance about things you can’t control is pointless.”
PADRAIG HARRINGTON
“I always thought that doing more was the way to success for me. There were many events where I would be in contention but I would still be on the range on Saturday thinking about working to improve my game. I always got better, but always played worse. There is another fine line between getting your head in the right place and hitting the ball well. When you reach a certain level you have to be big-enough and brave enough to say, I’m ready.”
“When I play my best golf, I feel as if I’m in a fog…
standing back watching the Earth in orbit with a golf club in your hands.”
MICKEY WRIGHT
DUSTIN JOHNSON
At the 110th US Open at Pebble Beach, Johnson led the field by three strokes going into the final round on Sunday. He dropped out of contention with a triple bogey on the second hole and a double bogey on the third hole. He described his 82 round as; “I was just a little bit off today, and that’s what I’m working on – to never have it ‘off.’ So it was a great experience. I’m looking forward to next time.” Dustin also said; “You know, playing so poorly I still had a fun day. I enjoyed playing today. I’ll get it done next time.”
YANI TSENG
Tseng, who birdied four holes in a five-hole stretch on the back nine at Pinnacle Hills CC on her way to a final round 65 and a one shot victory at the P&G NW Arkansas Championship voiced her feelings. “After nine holes, I feel like my heart is not fighting,” Tseng said. “I didn’t feel like I really want to win this tournament. So after nine holes, I just wrote a lot of things on my yardage book, like I can do this. Just feel like you really, really want to win this tournament.”
HUNTER MAHAN
In the first round of sectional qualifying for the US Open he shot 73 and was just waiting for bad things to happen. He said, “I was so concerned with how I looked and how I swing, I forgot how to play and get the ball in the hole. I was able to let myself go out there and play and not criticize myself on the course as much.” Hunter shot 63 in the second round and qualified.
“If I play with three things on my mind, I may as well stay home.
Two things on my mind, I’ll play good.
One thing on my mind, I’ll finish in the top 10.
If there’s nothing on my mind, no one can beat me.”
JACK NICKLAUS
Play “in the zone” with Joan
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