Take golf seriously ... yourself lightly
By PEGGY BRIGHAM

We live in a fast-paced, impatient society where instant gratification is often the norm. When we want something we want it now. Taking this sense of urgency into our golf game can be disastrous. Developing a patient attitude full of acceptance is our key to improved golf and greater consistency. What does that look like? We can begin by asking ourselves a few questions.

• Is this just an affair or do I really care about the game?

• Am I involved only for what I can get out of it instantly or am I willing to put in time and effort to make it work?

• Do I love the feel of the club in my hand, the grass under my feet?

• Do I love the sights and smell of a golf course?

• Am I really in love with the game? All of it?

These questions can help you realize that the game is worth developing patience and you are worth it as well. If you think about being impatient, it's just a form of beating yourself up. No amount of resisting the moment is going to change it. It only produces tension and anxiety in your mind and that transfers over to your body, hence bad swing shots.

A helpful insight is to look at the game of golf as a powerful mirror to the game of life. As children we learn by playing, and we can apply this to ourselves as adults. Golf is a perfect game to learn about ourselves. It is the ultimate reflection of your inward thoughts, beliefs, and conditionings. It so honestly reflects either the battleground within or the playground. Do you play golf or work at it?
Awareness is the key to changing our game and our lives. A very simple but not easy way to shift yourself and to play your best is to use affirmations. The phrase 'fake it till you make it' is very appropriate. Start by telling yourself you are a great golfer over and over. You are a natural at this game. It is estimated that we have one positive thought out of 10 negative ones. Please believe me when I say changing your thoughts is self-direction, not self-deception. An affirmation is a firm statement that is true or has the potential to be true.

Once you start playing better the challenge is to keep up your affirmations. This is a life long habit to develop. If you need assistance, the CD I developed has a whole track of golf affirmations that you can play over and over, especially on the way to the golf course to get you in the right frame of mind to play an enjoyable game.

The exciting news is that learning the game of golf is a life long discovery. When we drop the need to conquer it in one or two seasons the patience and acceptance comes more naturally.
For questions or comments please contact yoga and golf performance specialist Peggy Brigham at 940-4993, or email yogaforgolf@rogers.com. Or check out her website at www.yogaforgolf.ca.

Create Great Golf

Peggy