| Concentration is the root of human performance. It is | | | | distracting thoughts. |
| much more than the ability of not being distracted or | | | | As you got older and learned how to talk and to think |
| even visualizing the shot. | | | | you soon became aware of that little voice inside your |
| Granted, hardly any of the authors of ANY golf training | | | | head that seems to be with you during every waking |
| book have comprehensive training in golf psychology, | | | | moment. |
| so let me give you some tips for peak concentration | | | | It is that little voice that you can't quiet no matter how |
| on the golf course. I'm not talking about "grinding" out on | | | | hard you try. It is always telling you that the golf shot is |
| the course...this will burn you out early in the round and | | | | too hard, or the other guy is better than you. |
| mentally deplete you. | | | | Zen master Dogen-Zenji teaches not to stop negative |
| First off, dance with which you brought to the | | | | thoughts in your mind...let them stop by themselves. If |
| course...in other words, don't try to fix your swing out | | | | some negative thought comes into your mind, let it |
| on the course. There is plenty of time to fix your swing | | | | come in, let it go out. It will not stay long if you are not |
| on the range after the round. Your job on the course is | | | | attached to the thought. When you TRY to stop your |
| to play golf, not play swing...you need to score! | | | | thinking of a negative thought, it means you are |
| Your thoughts need to be focused on getting the ball | | | | bothered by it. Do not be bothered by anything. |
| into the cup in the least amount of strokes possible...the | | | | It may appear as if negative thoughts come from |
| object of the game! (How soon we forget this fact) | | | | outside your mind, but actually they are only waves of |
| The only things you should be thinking about while you | | | | your mind, and if you are not bothered by the waves, |
| plan your shot is the target, distance, direction, wind | | | | gradually they will become calmer and calmer. In five |
| speed, your lie...and any other factor that comes into | | | | or ten minutes your mind will be completely serene and |
| play. | | | | calm. At this time your breathing will become quite |
| Forget about your last shot and what score you might | | | | slow. |
| shoot... | | | | Now that your breathing is slow and your mind is calm, |
| Concentrate on the shot at hand... | | | | you can nourish your mind with positive thoughts. Your |
| You need to discipline yourself to stay in the | | | | mind follows your breathing, if you are breathing slowly; |
| moment...this takes time to master...if you want to | | | | your mind is ready to focus on only the thoughts that |
| become an accomplished golfer you MUST master | | | | will allow you to play the shot at hand. |
| this skill. | | | | If your ego gets in the way and you are thinking of |
| Once upon a time your ability to concentrate was | | | | how to impress someone, this thought will get in the |
| incredible. Before you could think or understand what | | | | way of your objective to play the shot at hand. Let |
| words are. This was when you were a baby. Your | | | | the thought come and let it pass...do not try to get rid |
| brain was a sponge. As a baby you could hold your | | | | of it, let it pass on its own, like a wave on the ocean! |
| attention on anything in your field of vision without any | | | | Hit 'em Long & Straight! |