Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Methods In Developing A Good Mental Game Of Golf

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By Anita Ortega


All sports are a combination of mental and physical exertion. Some sports, such as golf, purportedly is supposed to be more of a mental sport than a physical one. Golf has been accepted by most players as a game that comprises a great deal of mind effort. Thus many say that if you have a great mental game of golf, the better your overall round outcome will be.

When one watches a round or several rounds of golf, more often than not you will notice a player that is very calm and one who is very agitated. The calm one, regardless of the swing or round outcome retains composure, while the agitated one seems to lose his temper and composure, and thus he also loses his swing. It is no surprise that the calmer player will have the better outcome.

Many tend to see the physical aspect of golf more often than not on the course. This is because it is the more visible and salient part. One cannot see the brain at work in whatever situation. Thus the sport will more often be described in terms of the physical aspects, such as in terms of swing, backswing, the stance and so on.

The importance however of developing your mental strategy cannot be understated. And although not many people or players really rely on it, there are still ways of strengthening it to benefit the overall game and overall performance while on the course.

For starters, develop it by starting the very first basic step, knowing yourself. Know and accept you are not necessarily the best player in the world like Tiger Woods or Gary Palmer. Know your overall abilities and limitations so that you do not ruin your round or your day when you shoot a crappy round. By accepting what you can or cannot do, you can focus more and keep calm.

Learn to visualize the shots before you play them. This is a great process by which others also call visioning. See the shot in your mind and imagine everything about it. Include all the little details like how far, how high and even how you feel when you have hit it. Once you have visualized the shot go ahead and take it. You will be surprised that more often than not, your actual play approximates the one in your head more often than not.

You cannot have a good mind game in this sport if you are stressed and exhausted. Make sure that neither of these conditions exist by getting plenty of rest and relaxation on the day before. Avoiding liquor is also a wise decision to make prior to any game.

And probably the most important thing for your mind to develop properly is to just go out and enjoy the sport for all its worth. Enjoying the game will always put you at ease and in a positive mood. Remember that the sport of golf is after all, just that, a game.




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