(Originally published Feb. 13, 2013) Historically, I have been weak. Temptation has clawed at me, the sirens beckoned, and I have caved, keying in my credit card number in anticipation that nirvana would arrive in two business days. But in recent years, I have resisted, fought the good fight, and silenced the barkers of snake oil by gamely clamping my hands on my ears and loudly singing “la la la la la.” Well, I didn’t do … [Read more...]
The Mind Game Part IX: Going After – and Getting – What I Want
September 16, 2010 By
Performance coach Paul Dewland has a way for putting this somewhat ethereal mental game stuff into concrete language. Performance Coach Paul Dewland says change doesn't happen overnight, but gradually it does come if you stick with it. “Remember when you were young and you went into a bar hoping to meet a girl. You didn’t walk through and go, ‘Whoa, stay away from that one, or that one.’ You went after the one that attracted you. “We … [Read more...]
The Mind Game Part VIII: Staying the course ain’t easy
August 27, 2010 By
Today’s blog delves into the difficulty–and strangeness–of trying to make changes to one’s golf game. Performance coach Paul Dewland says my ego is trying to protect me, swing coach Annie Mallory says hitting shanks shows progress, and friend/professional Tom Jackson says I’m in for a long and bumpy ride. Oh boy. My expert opinion as an amateur psychologist is that the easy part of making change is deciding to make it. The action part—and … [Read more...]
The Mind Game Part VII: Kicking the ego into the backseat
August 18, 2010 By
In addition to Performance Coach Paul Dewland, who is helping me with the mental side of the game, I’ve started taking lessons with Annie Mallory, an instructor with the Core Golf Academy. I’ve known Annie for years through my communications work with Core, and that she’s a great coach, a former contestant on The Big Break, and lots of fun. Now, I have mind and swing coaches. Golly, I’m building my own entourage. I’ve been called far worse … [Read more...]
The Mind Game Part VI: Balancing the Mental Game and Mechanics
August 13, 2010 By
Golf performance coach Paul Dewland is coaching me on the mental game. I played in my club championship last weekend at Blue Springs, and it was a disaster. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy after my last blog on playing when you don’t have confidence in your swing. The experience told me: I need to keep focused on some of the early things Paul and I discussed (like witnessing my thoughts rather than being caught up in them), develop a … [Read more...]
