Its a beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly and youve finally taken some time off to play golf with some business associates that have been after you for some time to play a round with them. Youre a perfectionist and a competitor. Although you espouse the saying that a bad day on the course is better than a good day in the office, it doesnt always work out that way. Youre a little rusty so you decided to see a pro in order to improve your swing and overall game. You even purchased a new set of clubs, went to the golf range and practiced hitting balls for a couple of hours and it all seemed good. So, youre all setor so you think.

You have committed everything the pro taught you to memory. Your grip, swing, stance and everything else should result in your being able to hit that little white ball a country mile. Youre the last to tee off although you are a little nervous. Butterflies are a good signor so you think. You remember to take your time to practice swing your club with the correct tempo. Your stance and grip are copaseticand now its time. You address the ball, concentrate and let er rip.

Well, you ended up in the heavy rough bordering the woods but thats okat least it didnt go in. and as youre walking to retrieve your ball, your talking to yourself saying I need to be philosophical about thisits only a gamedont take it too seriouslydont sweat the next shoteveryones probably watchingI should be able to beat Jim but he hit a perfect shotrelaxrelaxrelax.

The rough grass is much longer than it appeared from a distance. What club should I useshould I hit with an open or closed factshould I play for distance or play safe? that branch could impede my swingmy hands are awfully sweaty and Im really feeling anxious nowoh, what the hell, JUST DO IT!

SWISHthe ball goes about 15 feet into even deeper roughyour wrists hurt from the last shotthere was just too much high grassyou hit the branchthe club was at the wrong anglethat dammed pro doesnt know what hes talking about! Maybe the next shot will be better. You try clearing your mind but just cant shake what just happened. It the group laughing at you? Your breathing is short and fast. Now youre getting very angrymostly at yourself. Its only a game! Its only a game! And onand onand on.

Maybe this is you or maybe, even as an accomplished golfer, you experience some of the same disruptive thoughts and feelings that interfere with your game. The MENTAL SIDE OF GOLF has little to do with the technical aspects of the game or ones ability to play the game. Of course, those aspects are important but not essential in how well or poorly our minds operate enabling the use of those facilities. Even with the latest equipment, technical aspects of the game and our ability being intact, those arent enough to allow ourselves to enjoy and play our best round. The Mental Side of Golf has to do with how well we can operate under pressure in any endeavor. The calmer, focused, positive and clear-headed we are, the more capably we can play the game in a relaxed, enjoyable and effective manner. After all, it is YOUR MIND.