Getting “Ready” for Your Moment!

FCWT Mental Game Series 2009 / Article #2

By

Dr. Robert K. Winters

© Copyright 2009

Dr. Bob Winters 
 
 

Question:   Dr. Bob, when I am playing in tournaments, sometimes I feel that I am just going through the motions and that I am not really “there” for the shot.  How can I get myself to be focused on every shot during a long day? 

      Tim K., Hilton Head, SC. 
 
 

Dr. Bob’s Answer: 
 

      Dear Tim, thanks for a great question!  Not only is this a major error that juniors golfers commit, but a number of top amateurs and even touring professionals make this mistake as well!  I happen to believe that the single component of being “ready” for every shot you will hit is THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE between a “wannabe contender” and the golfer who is holding the trophy at the end of the day.  What’s even worse is that most junior golfers aren’t ever ready to play golf until they have played six or seven holes to get comfortable or to allow themselves to get into “it” and by then, it’s too late.  The point being: If you are not ready to step into every shot committed with a sense of golf readiness and positive intent, your mind is probably someplace else and most times, it is in a place that serves no good purpose for golfing direction and performance.

      Why am saying this?  The primary reason that you aren’t ready to play each shot as well as you can is that you are not taking care of what you can control:  And that is: YOUR GAME at THIS MOMENT. Perhaps you are too concerned or worried about how others that you are playing with are doing.  Or, you may be mentally drifting and be thinking about friends, school, what you will be doing later or anything that takes you out of being 100% focused on the task that is in front of you at this moment in time.   This sense of misdirected focus takes you away from playing your game the best way that you can play.   Keep this in mind:  Your task in tournament golf is to play your ball and move it from one spot to another in the most efficient and economical manner possible….period. 

      Most junior golfers fail to understand the beauty or simplicity of this statement and many of them make the mistake that they have to “win the match” or “have a perfect swing” or any number of distracting thoughts that take them from their number one priority.  And that top priority is to get their mind focused on hitting the ball squarely from point A to point B as effectively as they can and to sink the ball into the hole with quickness and consistency.  End of story…...period.  Did you really think it was going to be more difficult than that?  The following section will help you to get your mind and body prepared to consistently play your best, right from the first tee until the very last putt! 
 

Getting “Ready” with a One-Moment Focus 
 

      Creating a mindset that is always ready is your best chance to hit consistent shots and to repeat that sequence for an entire round, whether it is a round by yourself or in competition.  You need to focus your mind on the task at hand.  In playing competitive golf, two questions demand an answer:  What is it that you want to do at this moment in time and where do you want the ball to go?  You must have a clear and decisive answer to these two questions!   To help you answer these questions, here are (3) simple suggestions for getting your mind into a single-moment focus for golfing success! 
 

1.  Before you make a decision about what you are going to do with your shot, touch your head cover with your hand.  This physical action will signal you to get into this moment.  Touching your head cover acts as starting point for your routine and helps you to have a consistent starting point for your shotmaking process.  As you touch your head cover, remind yourself that this is your moment and your time!  Nothing else exists but this shot.  Focus on what you can do at this moment!  Fill your mind with what you want to DO with the shot.  Remember, golf is not a card game like poker…you cannot bluff your way around the golf course.  You must have a clear plan for action!  Touch the head cover and get your mind into making a clear plan for what you want to achieve in the next few seconds. 
 

2.  Your brain will give your body anything that you command it to do.  Never, ever use the word DON’T!    When you say:  “Don’t be short!”  Or, “don’t go out of bounds!”  What usually happens?  You usually end up short or out of bounds.  Why?  Because your body only understands the energy that is given to the brain.  It is vital that you always give yourself a DO THIS directive!  (Remember the NIKE slogan:  Just Do it!)   When you direct your mind to a specific intention of “DO” it allows your body to respond more effectively by sending positive motor movement signals from the brain.  A “ DO THIS” mindset helps to create a smoother and more efficient motor action with your swing, especially under a pressure-laden situation.   Have a clear decision about what you want to do and stick with it, even during your swing!  Remember, the clearer your picture from behind the ball in your planning will result in a more efficient swing when you are ready to strike the ball! 
 

3.  When you play your tournament, adopt a goal of achieving this one basic strategy:  I will only hit my ball when I know that I am 100% ready.  If I am not ready, I will have the awareness and confidence to step off and refocus and recommit to my shot that I know that I can hit with authority and confidence!  Remember:  I only hit when I KNOW that I am ready!

 

By doing these three things, you will improve your chances of always being in the moment and ready to play your best tournament golf! 
 

      May you always be ready to play one shot at a time! 
 

                                       Dr. Bob Winters 
 

   Dr. Bob Winters is an internationally renowned Sport Psychologist and is located in Orlando, Florida at the David Leadbetter World Teaching Headquarters in Champions Gate, Florida.  He is the author of several books and is considered a leading authority on sport psychology and confidence.  He is the author of several books and he has players on every major tour around the globe.  If you would like to consult with

Dr. Winters or learn more about Dr. Bob, please visit his website at:  www.drbobwinters.com or email him at drbob@drbobwinters.com.