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What percentage
of golf do you think is mental?. . . Now that you have an
answer in mind, compare that with the percentage of your practice
time you spend on the mental game. I’m no mind reader,
but I’d be willing to bet there’s a big gap between
the two numbers you came up with.
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Jonathan
Jeter |
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While it is universally agreed upon that golf is a mental
game, understanding and practicing the mental aspect of the
game goes widely ignored. Sure, you’ve read some sports
psychology books and learned to visualize your shots, or maybe
even heard Ty Webb talk about “being the ball”
in “Caddyshack,” but have you ever thought about
why you play better when you get to the course early vs. late,
when you talk to more vs. less people, or when you play for
all the flags vs. the middle of the greens?
Just like golf swings, everyone’s approach to the mental
game is unique and the key to playing better is understanding
your natural behavior better.
The behaviors and personality that make you so unique are
the basis of a new tool the AJGA is providing to its members
from the Mental Golf Workshop. Developed by Bobby Foster,
a former college golf coach and certified DISC Behavioral
Analyst, the profile is currently in use with numerous college
programs, touring pros and sports psychologists throughout
the country.
Adapted from the DISC behavioral profile, it is designed to
show how you can gain a mental advantage by first understanding
yourself and how you normally behave in different situations.
After taking a short online survey, you will receive a profile
of five different areas of your mental golf game and how you
score in four behavioral categories in each area. These include
how you prepare for your round, your tendencies when playing
shots, your on-course temperament, your course management
style, and your style of working with an instructor.
Before you think to yourself, “I already know about
all that,” know that many different golfers have different
DISC styles for different areas of their game.
For instance, one PGA TOUR winner profiled was very dominant
and assertive in preparing and temperament, however became
very cautious when playing shots and working with instructors.
Even in my profile after thinking I could predict the results,
I learned that my laid back approach to the game only applies
to three of the five areas, and that I am very dominant and
aggressive in two areas - something I never would’ve
guessed, but after thinking for a while, it made complete
sense.
Once you discover your natural behavior in the five different
areas of the game, the next step is to apply that information
to make you a better player.
Included in your profile are practice techniques and tips
designed specifically for your unique behavioral style in
each area. These tips are geared toward gaining a better understanding
of your strengths and weaknesses in each area and finding
ways to apply new techniques to improve your mental game.
For instance, I learned that in preparing for my round, instead
of being laid back and talking to people like I normally do,
I can put myself in a better mental state to play well if
I take more time and structure my warm up routine. While this
may work best for me, it doesn’t work best for everyone.
That’s the great aspect of this tool—unlike many
books or instructional tapes, it designs a custom profile
and practice techniques for you based on your unique traits.
If you would like to find out more about your unique behavioral
style, this service is available to AJGA members for a discounted
price by clicking here.
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