| "> | | | | thoughts have gone away. This will help with Step |
| Statistics are showing that we British are angrier than | | | | Two. |
| ever; with the rise in Road Rage, Air Rage, Phone | | | | 2. CREATE YOUR OWN REALITY |
| rage can there be such a thing as Golf Rage? | | | | If you tell yourself that you are going to hit the next |
| It isn't surprising that we mere mortals are incapable | | | | shot into the bunker what happens? Nine times out |
| of hiding our emotions when so many celebrities are | | | | of ten you will - that is because your sub-conscious |
| splashed all over the daily papers and gossip | | | | mind is there to protect you. If you have already |
| magazines regularly displaying their less than calm side! | | | | started on the slippery slope of negative self-talk and |
| The ridiculous thing is that golf is meant to be a | | | | getting yourself physically wound up too, your |
| relaxing hobby played for the enjoyment of the | | | | sub-conscious will kick in to protect you. |
| game with like-minded friends, whilst enjoying the | | | | It takes practise to stop negative thoughts in their |
| beautiful outdoors and the sunshine; shouldn't this all | | | | tracks and replace them with positive thoughts. Your |
| be conducive to an enjoyable day out and a friendly | | | | sub-conscious will accept anything you tell it; it does |
| round of golf? | | | | not differentiate between right and wrong, positive |
| But anger is an emotion and golf, as any golfer will | | | | and negative it merely wants to ensure that you are |
| tell you, is an emotive game! | | | | right. If you tell yourself you are going to hit a bad |
| Often the behaviour of celebrities is to keep up | | | | shot your sub-conscious will kick in to help this |
| appearances and to cope with that all intrusive public | | | | happen for you. Not quite what your conscious self |
| eye upon them. Many of the celebrities known for | | | | has in mind? |
| their public displays of anger; Naomi Campbell and | | | | It will not always work just by telling yourself that |
| Wayne Rooney are just two from the world of | | | | you are going to hit a fantastic shot but I assure you |
| modeling and football. Even Tiger has been known to | | | | it is a 100% effective if you tell yourself you are |
| stomp and throw his club down in anger even if it is | | | | going to hit a bad shot - YOU MOST DEFINITELY |
| with himself. | | | | WILL! You may as well increase your odds and be |
| So what is it about golf that pushes all those | | | | positive. |
| buttons; someone else playing well and being really | | | | Your mood will lighten, you will enjoy yourself more |
| smug about it, a perception you have created that | | | | and you will definitely play better overall. |
| people are watching you and waiting for you to do | | | | REMEMBER: Keep telling yourself how great you are |
| badly so when you do you get mad with yourself? | | | | YOU - if you don't believe it your sub-conscious will |
| Your opponent commenting on how badly you are | | | | and that will do the work for you. |
| playing in a sympathetic but obviously pleased | | | | 3. ENJOY YOURSELF |
| manner, your fellow golfer just breathing slightly too | | | | Above all else have fun! It is a hobby you have |
| loudly, you playing a clearly stupid and not very well | | | | chosen to do - your mortgage, feeding and clothing |
| thought out shot. | | | | your children, does not depend upon the outcome of |
| Are you just thinking too much? | | | | a round of golf ... so get it into perspective. The |
| ... ask a variety of different golfers what winds them | | | | more positive you are, the more you convince |
| up on a golf course and I bet there is a book's worth | | | | yourself that you are good and getting better all the |
| on your findings. | | | | time and that you are enjoying yourself regardless of |
| Here are 3 ACE stress relievers to help you keep | | | | the result, I promise you that you will have a more |
| your cool on and off the Golf Course: | | | | enjoyable experience. Just remember you chose this |
| 1. AWARENESS. Know when to walk away and take | | | | as a hobby it should be seen for all the positive |
| a deep breath: | | | | things that you love about the game not treated like |
| The physical reactions such as an increase in your | | | | a trip to the dentist! |
| body temperature, your heart racing faster, a | | | | So it is up to you to take responsibility for how you |
| dropping of your head and general low body posture | | | | play your game of golf. |
| will be accompanied by your negative self-talk telling | | | | It is all about CHOICE: You choose pretty much at |
| you possibly 'how stupid you are', 'how annoying the | | | | the start of a round how you are going to play. You |
| other guy is', 'that luck isn't on your side and you | | | | have already told yourself. If you enjoy being |
| can't believe the ball has ended up in the bunker | | | | miserable and negative then carry on because that |
| again!' when you start to feel your physical reactions | | | | will reflect in the results you will get BUT by changing |
| catching up with your mental negativity walk quietly | | | | your attitude and being more positive and having fun, |
| ahead and take 10 deep slow breaths. Keep your | | | | even if you do not always get the results ... after all |
| head up high and shoulders back and replace any | | | | IT IS GOLF ask Tiger, I guarantee you will change |
| negative self talk with a positive statement. | | | | your game of golf for the better. |
| Make sure your statement is in the present tense | | | | If you are looking forward to the coming golfing |
| and attach some emotion to your phrase so you | | | | season how certain are you that you are going to |
| own it. | | | | begin the year with focus, consistency and |
| 'You are great at putting it's just a one off | | | | confidence? How many times are you going to go to |
| You are great off the tee ...you can easily catch up | | | | the driving range, have a lesson with the Club Pro |
| with your next shot | | | | and practise your short game but still go out and play |
| Let it go and enjoy yourself you are here to have | | | | that first medal with the belief that you may not do |
| fun ... | | | | very well. How would it feel to go out there with |
| You can add anything that works for you. Repeat it | | | | 100% belief in the fact that you really can play to a |
| slowly in your head until the negative feelings and | | | | great standard. |
