| The person who is relaxed and confident plays a | | | | not enjoy the game as much. Find friends you |
| better game of golf than one whose knees are | | | | can play with just for the sake of having fun. |
| shaking at the thought of sand traps. Fear is one | | | | Your game will likely improve as you're less tense |
| thing you never want to take with you to the | | | | and able to swing more freely. |
| driving range. | | | | Ben Hogan wrote that "to ignore the gallery and |
| Before we begin, know that my goal is to give | | | | the other golfers, and to shut my mind against |
| you as much useful information as I can fit in this | | | | everything but my own game" was key to his |
| article. | | | | success. |
| One of the biggest problem every golfer has to | | | | Worrying about what others think creates |
| face is the mental aspect. Thinking clearly really is | | | | inconsistency. You're overly aggressive one |
| the name of the game. And thinking clearly is not | | | | second and overly conservative the next. |
| possible when fear reigns. | | | | So what is the key? |
| So if you change the way you think, your game | | | | Focus on the target, not the situation. Ignore the |
| will change. Don't worry why the ball flew where it | | | | stakes. Just concentrate on your game. Sounds |
| did. Just keep your focus on the next shot. | | | | simple? well, it is. |
| Some golfers constantly worry what others will | | | | Even top players have to refine their skills every |
| think of them if they make a bad shot. If you're | | | | year. They're making small improvements in little |
| thinking about how someone else is going to | | | | ways that add up. You're not always going to play |
| perceive you, you're not focusing on the ball, on | | | | your best game, and you'll never play a perfect |
| your swing, on the basics. | | | | one - no matter how skilled you are. Focus on |
| Who cares if others don't like your game. In the | | | | correcting little faults and your game will gradually |
| grand scheme of life, is hitting a bad shot truly a | | | | get better and better. |
| disaster you can never overcome? | | | | Forget about your bad shots. As Tiger Woods |
| Psychologists tell us that we tend to become a | | | | says, "I hit it and forget it." You can't go back in |
| composite of the five persons we spend the | | | | time and change a shot, so just forget about it |
| most time with. Maybe you need to find some | | | | and prepare for your next shot. |
| more relaxed friends to practice with. | | | | You'll soon become a master of fearless golf! |
| If you constantly play with perfectionist you will | | | | |