A different way of thinking
Once you step on the first tee to begin a round of golf you have
to engage the most under used muscle in golf, the brain. It is the
muscle that the PGA and LPGA tour players spend a lot of time
working on. The physical part of the game is what most people work
on and pretty much ignore the mental. Then they step out on the
course and wonder why they aren’t hitting the ball like they did on
the range. It’s the same body and the same clubs but that is where
the similarities end. So what’s up with that?
A tour player standing on a par three with a lake in front of
the green doesn’t see the lake, all they see is the green. On the
same tee the average golfer takes out his
”
water ball
”
and proceeds to hit it in the water. You can see that the mind
set has a huge effect on the results. Golf is a game to us and
working on it takes time; something most of us don’t have.
A different way of thinking
Once you step on the first tee to begin a round of golf you have to engage the most under used muscle in golf, the brain. It is the muscle that the PGA and LPGA tour players spend a lot of time working on. The physical part of the game is what most people work on and pretty much ignore the mental. Then they step out on the course and wonder why they aren’t hitting the ball like they did on the range. It’s the same body and the same clubs but that is where the similarities end. So what’s up with that?
A tour player standing on a par three with a lake in front of the green doesn’t see the lake, all they see is the green. On the same tee the average golfer takes out his “water ball” and proceeds to hit it in the water. You can see that the mind set has a huge effect on the results. Golf is a game to us and working on it takes time; something most of us don’t have.
But maybe if we can change some of our perceptions, we can take a few strokes off our score. Think about this, most people can hit a ball 200 yards with a club in their bag; it doesn’t matter which one, it is just that you can. The next time you play, look at the yardage on all the par fours. Now subtract two hundred yards from each of them, what’s left? Usually no more than an average par three. So all you have to do is drive a ball two hundred yards and you turn each hole into a par three. Feels a little easier already doesn’t it?
Just a reminder – any police officer, firefighter or active military personnel can play Eagle Ridge GC Monday through Thursday for half price, so please come see us. Eagle Ridge’s Kids Course is open every Sunday at 2 p.m. for kids 12 and under. Cost is $5 for all the holes you want to play. We provide clubs, balls and tees. Have any golf related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at [email protected]. If you would like to read some of my past tips, you can do so at www.pinnaclenews.com. And don’t forget, if you’re not having fun playing golf call your local PGA or LPGA instructor, we will help. Golf is more fun when you’re improving. Don’t be afraid to be good.
