Free Golf Tip | Sponsored by GreatGolfGizmos.com - Click Here to Shop for Great Golf Gizmos | Article List

Accessories Apparel Golf Balls
Golf Club Bags Golf Clubs Golf Gloves
Golf Shoes Golf Training Aids Other Golf Equipment
Personalized Golf Equipment Pre-owned Golf Clubs Putters
Sunglasses

Mental Toughness for Golfers: Avoiding Comfort Zones in Golf


A comfort zone becomes a problem whenever a player is playing better than expected or is breaking new ground. I teach golfers how to break out of self-limiting expectations and preconceived beliefs. Comfort zones don't limit great players on tour, such as David Duval, Tiger Woods, and Davis Love, III. Comfort zones actually benefit pro golfers when they can bring a poor round back into their scoring zone and turn a score of 76 into a 72.

When going low, pros don't just try to "get it in the clubhouse" when they get to four under par after 12 holes. If a pro gets to four under par after 12, that's great, but he doesn't stop there. His goal is to get to five under. This attitude, adopted by many professionals, is far from the mindset of the amateur who is playing better than expected or on the verge of breaking a personal best score. In my new book, "Going Low" I teach golfers how to play without the restriction of a comfort zone.

Shooting a personal best round requires many important skills. Great golfers play well because they know how to practice efficiently, are dedicated to improvement, and know the best way to prepare themselves for a round of great golf. I'm not talking about hitting two buckets of balls to get ready for tomorrow's match. Pros are dedicated to quality practice, focused preparation, and improving their games daily. This is the foundation for the development of confidence.

To shoot a personal low round you also need to know how to prepare to play the course, have the ability to make a game plan, and deal with the distractions of the group. You also need to practice in a way that makes your swing repeatable. You must learn how to score your best when it counts, and simplify your game so you can focus on playing golf instead of always working and grinding at it. Going low also requires that you discard any preconceptions about what is and what is not possible to achieve.

The first step to going low is to unlock the self-imposed limits of your own success. I want my students to identify their own mental barriers and unhealthy beliefs that prevent them from consistently playing their best. The next step is to eradicate unhealthy expectations and irrational beliefs so you can unlock your own success. For example, once Roger Banister broke the four-minute mile, everyone broke it because the barrier had been shattered. The first step is to break your own self-limiting beliefs. In articles to follow, I talk more about how to overcome self-limiting expectations and comfort zones.

Dr. Patrick J. Cohn is a master mental game coach who works with athletes of all levels including amateur and professionals. Visit Peaksports.com to gain access to over 500 exclusive mental game articles, audio programs, and interviews with athletes and coaches to enhance your athletic potential: http://www.peaksports.com/membership/ or call 888-742-7225.

To become a mental game coach, visit: http://www.mentalgamecoachingpro.com


MORE RESOURCES:
golf - Google News
Nine reasons Tiger will rule golf again -- or not - USA TODAY

USA TODAY

Nine reasons Tiger will rule golf again -- or not
USA TODAY
By Steve DiMeglio, USA TODAY By Allan Henry, US Presswire By Allan Henry, US Presswire As Tiger Woods makes his 2012 PGA Tour debut Thursday in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, golf's unquestioned leading man and top draw once again is at the ...
The sunshine boys of Pebble BeachSan Francisco Chronicle
Some Celebrities Play for Real, Not LaughsNew York Times
PGA Tours circus hits Pebble BeachNew York Post
Houston Chronicle -Reuters
all 1,661 news articles »
GOLF: Temecula's Michaels gets season started Down Under - Press-Enterprise

Press-Enterprise

GOLF: Temecula's Michaels gets season started Down Under
Press-Enterprise
Never mind that the girl who once starred on the Temecula Linfield Christian boys golf team now is a full-fledged member of the LPGA Tour ? this week she's literally come a long way for her first start in her what will be her first full year on women ...
Kemp, Lewis lead women's Open golfSydney Morning Herald
Golf: Kemp and Lewis lead Australian Women's OpenLeader News
Kemp and Lewis share the lead at Royal MelbourneABC Online
The Canberra Times -Auckland stuff.co.nz -ESPN
all 573 news articles »
Golf tournament returns to Marana, changes for spectators - Explorer News

Golf tournament returns to Marana, changes for spectators
Explorer News
For those attending the World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play Championship this year, there will be a few changes. All the changes are being made in the best interest of the spectators, including parking, cellphones and walking along the course ...
SportsGOLF INSIDER;Pebble Beach testingFOXSports.com
This week offers the final chance for players to qualifyPGA Tour
Who's on the bubble for the Accenture Match Play Championship?The Desert Sun

all 6 news articles »
Enterprise golf writer DiCesare earns international golf media award - Enterprise News

Enterprise golf writer DiCesare earns international golf media award
Enterprise News
By Anonymous Bob DiCesare, golf writer for The Enterprise, recently received an Outstanding Achiever Award for runner-up recognition in the Profile writing category at the International Network of Golf 19th annual Media Awards Conference held in ...
One-On-One Appointment Show returning to ING Spring ConferenceWorldGolf.com

all 2 news articles »
Clint Eastwood is launching a golf network - Washington Post (blog)

7Live

Clint Eastwood is launching a golf network
Washington Post (blog)
But apparently he has room for yet another job: launching a golf lifestyle channel. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Academy Award winner and avid golfer has been named creative board chairman and founding shareholder of the Back9 Network, ...
Clint Eastwood to help create new TV golf channelUSA TODAY (blog)
Clint Eastwood's Next Project: New Golf Network (Exclusive)Hollywood Reporter
Culture Pop: Clint Eastwood to launch golf network7Live
New York Post -Daily Caller
all 15 news articles »
Phuket Sports: Golf Guru - Phuket Gazette

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Sports: Golf Guru
Phuket Gazette
Possibly, Lawrie felt at home there, having won on that golf course before, and it does have a links course flavor to it (basically as flat as a pancake). Lawrie chipped in on the par-5 ninth for an eagle and finished with a 65 to win by four shots ...
For Spencer Levin, father knows bestESPN
Tour 54-hole leaders have been right where field wants 'emCBSSports.com
No one is immune to golf's Sunday demonsOrlando Sentinel

all 16 news articles »
Cops: Golf cart, police lights, handcuffs, fire hydrant, chain saw among items ... - Orlando Sentinel

Cops: Golf cart, police lights, handcuffs, fire hydrant, chain saw among items ...
Orlando Sentinel
The longtime Port Orange public-works director was suspended and his 16-year-old son and another boy were arrested in the wake of the theft of a city golf cart, police light bars and other equipment, officials said Wednesday.

and more »
Golf Clap for Waste Connections - msnbc.com

Golf Clap for Waste Connections
msnbc.com
By Seth Jayson For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Waste Connections met expectations on revenue and met expectations on earnings per share. Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased and GAAP earnings per share expanded.

and more »
For sale: Six First Coast golf courses - Florida Times-Union

For sale: Six First Coast golf courses
Florida Times-Union
Mill Cove Golf Club is one of six golf courses in the area that is either up for sale or will be soon. By Garry Smits Perhaps it's a reflection of the economy. Perhaps it's simply chance. But at the moment five First Coast golf courses are up for sale ...

and more »
Butler National looks to break barrier - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune

Butler National looks to break barrier
Chicago Tribune
Butler National Golf Club is strongly considering opening its doors to women, a move that could bring major championships to Chicago and would mark a major cultural shift for the 40-year-old institution. Industry sources told the Tribune the iconic Oak ...

and more »
RSS integration by RSSinclude
home | site map | Sponsored by GreatGolfGizmos.com - Click Here to Shop for Great Golf Gizmos
© 2006