Where's your head at?

Hey Kids!

One of the most interesting sections of my upcoming Ebook, is the section about your mindset, and how your headspace can make or break your round. The effect that distraction, or frustration can have on your game can be staggering.

A little anecdote for you... In the not so distant past, I put in a round with my usual crew. It was quite simply one of those days; morning started off beautifully, however, the X factors quickly killed the game.

We soon found that our foursome was lodged between two groups of two. The group in front of us were duffers, and the group behind a couple of older members. The group in front might as well have dropped the ball, and kicked it all the way to the green, and the group behind us were impatiently hitting right up our backside.

This carried on for several holes, until we realize, that although it was never mentioned, the course decided to shotgun start a tournament all around us. This was sure to make our round even more frustrating.

Quickly, one of our group become seriously frustrated, and was quite vocal about it. This soon had an effect on the players in our group, and our games went south. I shot the worst front nine that I have played in several years, posting a score on nine that I am too embarrassed to even post here.

At the turn, the frustration got the best of our partner, and he decided to call it a day on nine. The three of us continued on to the back nine, knowing full well that is was going to be slow going.

Something interesting happened... Without the obvious frustrations of our fourth, our games turned around. On the back nine, I pulled my score back up to where my other two golf buddies were playing. Once finished, the back nine holes yielded a difference of seventeen strokes.

SEVENTEEN STROKES!!!!

That is one extra putt on every hole for 17 holes... That is the difference between a 72 and an 89.

Here is the tip for this week: Meditate, and maintain your calm... Ignore all outside influences, and concentrate on what you are doing. Every hole is a new one, and the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. Every turn is the beginning of a new game.

One of the topics I will cover in Shave Five Strokes is how to have fun, and get in the head of your opponents or partners. No one I have golfed with can do this better than my friend and golf professional, David Good. With one single subtle comment I have seen David totally rearrange someone's mindset.

Don't let it get to you; it is just a game, and the more you relax and have fun, the better you will play... Unless you are playing at the professional level, and it is your job, don't treat it like it is.

Remember, the worst round of golf is better than the best day at the office...

Keep Swinging...

Cliff Van Kempen