The Mental Game - An Introduction
IN: Golf Psychology | by Carey Mumford | 23 Feb 2005
Of the millions of people playing the game of golf, there may be some who have never given a conscious thought to the mental part of the game, but it is doubtful that anyone has escaped at least a private thought, rumination, fancy, concern, fear, doubt, frustration or angry impulse from what happened, is happening, or may happen in any given round of golf.
There may be some who don't care about the mental game, who would rather not discuss it, or who stubbornly refuse to consider a possibility that they can't conquer that mental stuff with a "mind over matter" resolution.
Some of those same people will, however, quickly advise that the game is at least 90% mental, especially as they make their way to the range to pound a few more drivers. After all, the world's number one player hardly ever rests. He practices any time he's not playing, eating or sleeping.
It's no news to anyone that the game has produced, more recently, some near spectacular moments of exceptional performance from a few players, but in general, the overall picture hasn't changed much is the last 50 years. Some say that's due to the mental game, and others have a variety of reasons to explain the phenomenon.
Twenty years ago, Dr. Pete Zidnack, a professor at San Jose State, and editor of the Northern California PGA section newsletter, gave me four large boxes full of articles he had clipped from golf magazines since 1950 that addressed the mental game. He knew I was writing a book and volunteered that resource. After months of "wading" though all those articles and making notes, it became very clear that nothing new really had been said about that part of the game since Grantland Rice. Everything there, was a virtual rehash, often in different words, but with the same meanings, of all that had gone before it. It was evident that a lot of colour and detail was missing from what should have been a portrait of masterpiece proportion. There were a lot of words, but the music had the sound of cacophony.
Here, on iseekgolf,com, we will try to upgrade the colour and sound, along with something much more formidable than random, opinionated detail. There are myths to be replaced by truths. There are opinions to be balanced by principles. There are "how-to's" to de-throne "ought to's." There is validated evaluation to displace guesswork. All in the interest of those who may want to take their games to the highest level possible for them and still have fun while they do it.
We will bring you some things to consider and willingly respond to things that you bring as well. The exchange promises new insights, growth and most of all, better golf. So let's have at it.
Among those themes that require mental management and will get fresh attention - thinking in its different forms and how those affect the game, pre-shot planning, building sound habits from skills, managing anxiety, practicing the way you play, avoiding the yips, and playing in "the zone."
