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.<\/p>\n
ARNOLD<\/strong> PALMER<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m absolutely flattered,\u201d Arnold Palmer tells Golf Magazine of being voted the golfer you\u2019d most like to tee it up with. Asked about the secret to his popularity he said, \u201cI think it\u2019s 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\u2019s 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<\/sup> hole.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve quit worrying about poor shots.<\/p>\n I just tell myself; Relax, Bozo.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t have fun, you shouldn\u2019t be out here.\u201d<\/p>\n PATTY SHEEHAN<\/strong><\/p>\n JASON DAY<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cYou have to take risks and be okay with failure. Sometimes you\u2019ll win in style, and sometimes you\u2019ll lose big. Accepting either result gives you a sense of calm.\u201d<\/p>\n SAM SNEAD<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t think about how to swing the axe when you\u2019re splttin\u2019 wood,\u201d he once told a young reporter. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n MICHELE WIE<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWhen 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\u2019t control is pointless.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n PADRAIG HARRINGTON<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI 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\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I play my best golf, I feel as if I\u2019m in a fog\u2026<\/p>\n standing back watching the Earth in orbit with a golf club in your hands.\u201d<\/p>\n MICKEY WRIGHT<\/strong><\/p>\n DUSTIN JOHNSON<\/strong><\/p>\n At the 110th<\/sup> 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; \u201cI was just a little bit off today, and that\u2019s what I\u2019m working on \u2013 to never have it \u2018off.\u2019 So it was a great experience. I\u2019m looking forward to next time.\u201d Dustin also said; \u201cYou know, playing so poorly I still had a fun day. I enjoyed playing today. I\u2019ll get it done next time.\u201d<\/p>\n YANI TSENG<\/strong><\/p>\n 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. \u201cAfter nine holes, I feel like my heart is not fighting,\u201d Tseng said. \u201cI didn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n HUNTER MAHAN<\/strong><\/p>\n 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, \u201cI 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.\u201d Hunter shot 63 in the second round and qualified.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cIf I play with three things on my mind, I may as well stay home.<\/p>\n Two things on my mind, I\u2019ll play good.<\/p>\n One thing on my mind, I\u2019ll finish in the top 10.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s nothing on my mind, no one can beat me.\u201d<\/p>\n JACK NICKLAUS<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Play \u201cin the zone\u201d with Joan<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Entrain Your Heart & Mind for Peak Performances\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Visit golf’s premier mental\u00a0golf website for additional information. Click on the Archived Newsletter <\/a>page for additional mental golf instruction.<\/em><\/p>\n To train your brain to believe in your abilities, listen to PMI self-hypnosis CDs in the privacy of your own home. You can order today at <\/em>http:\/\/www.pmi4.com\/cart<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 … Continue reading