All About Golf

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:

GolfDigest.com

Golf-Sabbatini takes Texas Open third round lead
Reuters UK, UK - 2 hours ago
... four of the next seven holes to finish at 14-under 196 after three rounds of the $4.5 million tournament at La Cantera Golf Club's Resort Course. ...
Golf-Stroud vaults into Texas Open lead Reuters.uk
Sabbatini leads Texas Open The Associated Press
What they said: Rory Sabbatini PGA Tour
Sports Network - National Post
all 483 news articles


SkySports

Seve Ballesteros has golf world holding its breath
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - 7 hours ago
When Seve Ballesteros won the first of his major championships in 1979 he described it as 'destino'. By Mark Reason Now the 51-year-old Spaniard sits in bed ...
John Huggan: Ballesteros: standard bearer for Europe's golfing ... Scotland on Sunday
Golf champ Seve Ballesteros had an epileptic fit Mirror.co.uk
Golf legend Seve Ballesteros in hospital after epileptic attack Glasgow Daily Record
The Punch - UK Express
all 507 news articles


Playbill.com

August Wilson's century cycle comes to close in 'Radio Golf
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 9 hours ago
August Wilson won his race against time when he completed "Radio Golf." Stricken with cancer, knowing that death was coming, the playwright struggled to ...
August Wilson's 'Radio Golf' finishes cycle San Francisco Chronicle
The Public's 'Radio Golf' is timely, bittersweet Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Wilson's Radio Golf Tees Off at TheatreWorks Oct. 11 Playbill.com
all 5 news articles


AME

Golf-China's Liang clings on to one-shot lead in India
Reuters.uk, UK - 12 hours ago
... held a one-shot lead over Australian Adam Blyth after the third round of the $1 million Indian Open at the par-72 Delhi Golf Club course on Saturday. ...
Golf-China's Liang maintains five-shot lead in India Reuters India
Liang remains on top at Hero Honda Indian golf Open AFP
Adam strikes on eve of final Indian Express
Howrah News Service - Taipei Times
all 180 news articles


Washington Post

Golf Capsules
International Herald Tribune, France - Oct 9, 2008
Claxton and Browne, a three-time tour winner, had bogey-free 64s in sunny and warm conditions on La Cantera Golf Club's Resort Course. ...
Aussie Green seizes Texas Open golf lead AFP
Green leads the Texas Open RTE.ie
Green leads Texas Open The Gazette (Montreal)
The Press Association - PGA Tour
all 272 news articles


Leishman leads by three at halfway in Nationwide WNB Golf Classic
PGA.com - Oct 10, 2008
Leishman, from Warnambool, a small, coastal Australian town with a fabulous golf course, had been playing well this year without getting the desired results ...
Leishman extends lead in Texas Sports Network
Leishman leads by three in Midland Sports Network
Leishman extends lead to five after 54 holes at Nationwide WNB Classic PGA.com
all 16 news articles


AFP

Valero golf tournaments raise record amount for charities
Bizjournals.com, NC - Oct 9, 2008
The Valero Texas Open and the Valero Benefit for Children Golf Classic have brought in a record $8.5 million for children’s charities. ...
Don't mess with Texans this week at Valero Texas Open - Golf ESPN
Valero Texas Open Raises Another Record Amount for Charity WELT ONLINE
Justin Leonard shooting for record fourth Valero Texas Open title WorldGolf.com
GolfObserver.com - Austin American-Statesman
all 118 news articles


TSN.ca

Golf: Sweden romp to world women's amateur teams title
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - 18 hours ago
Swedish golfers today completed a comprehensive triumph in the world women's amateur teams championship in Adelaide. The Swedes were never headed in the ...
RP ladies finish 19th in World Amateurs Inquirer.net
Sweden takes lead at women's amateur golf event SportingNews.com
Sweden in control of women amateur golf The Age
SFCPressPoint (press release) - The Canadian Press
all 79 news articles


3 News NZ

Waikato stun Auckland to win golf champs
Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - 21 hours ago
... a stunning comeback over the closing holes to beat Auckland in the final of the New Zealand women's inter-provincial tournament at Nelson Golf Club. ...
GOLF - Northland shop then drop the big guns Northern Advocate
Golf: Northland squeaks into semifinals New Zealand Herald
Auckland and Waikato in golf semis Radio Sport
New Zealand Herald - Northern Advocate
all 66 news articles


NewsTalk 94.3

St. X outduels Marshall in state golf
Kentucky.com, KY - 55 minutes ago
18, beating Marshall County's Travis Thompson — the defending state champion — to take home both honors on Saturday at the Leachman KHSAA State Golf ...
SPORTS: 3 Marshals In Top 5 But St. X Leads State Golf Tourney WNGO
Payne gives St. X lead in state championships Louisville Courier-Journal
Boys' golf: St. Xavier leads state tourney after round one Kentucky.com
WNGO
all 7 news articles

Golf - Google News

home | site map
© www.Tons-of-Articles.com 2006