golf psychology
 

How does a player know which method to follow when it comes to golf psychology and the mental game?

-Rotella
-Valente
-GolfPsych
-Mumford's ClearKey
-Neil Smith
-Bob Winters
-Patrick Cohn

There are so many great tools out there that I guess its finding the one that is right for you.

I have read as many books on the subject that amazon can offer and I found that GolfPsych (golfpsych.com) was the first to identify why I do things based on my personality. Dr. Graham has amazing insight into how a player can train and prepare for competition based on their own personality traits.

I have recently been put onto ClearKey with Carey Mumford and have found amazing tools for the 'in the shot' style of thought.

From spending hundred$ of dollar$ on books, I found that its very high level, almost lecture style approach to the mental game. Do you really need ot know why Phil hit that drive WAY offline at the 06 USopen? Probably not.

I guess its similar to finding a swing coach... but I think we've seen that swing coach that we wished we avoided.

How have you guys found a mental philosophy that has worked for you?

Bare Bones of The Mental Game
 

The Golfing Machine: Chapter 3 (translating Mechanics to Feels) and Chapter 14 (the Computer and its Five Programming Routines).

For all golfers . . .

For all time.

:salut:

I have heard that before his untimely death Mr Kelley was planning to do more work on the computer section of The Golfing Machine with Dr Mumford.

Make of that what you will.

I have read many of the names on your list above and some more you haven't mentioned.

Beyond Mumford, I would recommend the books by Pia Neilsson (Annika's coach)

!
 

I can only 2. the Pia Nilsson books "All shots must have a purpose" and the complementary book on practice

At the moment I'm reading a new book by a very young canadian: William L. Oliver, who wrote "Law of Focus for Golfers". The concepts in the book are based on the "Universal Law of Attraction", which holds a couple of interesting thoughts.

Homer's Solo Act
 

Homer Kelley never met or considered working with Carey Mumford. Long after Homer's death, Sally Kelley was approached and asked to consider expanding Chapter 14 with Carey's material, but the plan never materialized.

Homer knew that his book identified only the "bare-boned identities" of the subject matter. In fact, his intention to deliver a "one volume Handbook" dictated its extreme brevity. That being the case, he also knew that, "because of questions of all kinds, reams of additional details must be made available -- but separately and probably endlessly" (1-H). [Bold emphasis mine.]

I, for one, am glad Sally decided to respect Homer's wishes.

:salut:

I left Golf54 off the list... I'm almost embarrased. I have worked with a HeartMath provider for a couple years with regards to breathing and how it can help slow heart rate.

I am intrigued by this side of the game and I think it reaches further than TGM (did i say that?).

If I could consider 3 imperatives to playing well from a mental view:

1. accepting the outcome prior to contact (carefree attitude)
2. clear & precise visualization (creative analysis attitude)
3. constant thought checks with the ability to redirect to the positive if needed (internally focused attitude - when needed)

I think most players on sunday are okay with where the ball ends up because they know they can still "be good" from that spot. They are "seeing" the shot before they hit it, whether they consciously recognize it or not. Sometimes you can see it with their eyes (see nick watney on #16 a few weeks back). They are also able to maintain their thoughts and not let a negative or disruptive thought allow it to get emotional and affect their performance. From most of this, it could be broken down to having the right attitude.

30 Second Swing
 

T.J. Tomasi's The 30-Second Golf Swing is a worthwhile read in my opinion! I think he is also well-versed in TGM

Golfers mind
 

I would strongly recomend Rotellas "Golfer's Mind". It is written in a hnadbook fashion and much more instructional then many other mental books. I was really not a fan of putting out of your mind or golf is not a game of perfect, however I think the golfers mind is by far the best mental game book I have ever read

Golf Psychology
 

Hi everyone,

long time reader, first time poster. This is truley one of the best forums on the net for golfers, fans, students, and teachers alike. Thought its about time i put my 10 cents in. On the subject of golf psychology. I've had a long time passion for the mental aspect of golf. Its a mysterious thing the brain, in relation the to golf stroke.

In a physical world if you rush, in invariably leads to less efficiency.:naughty: The same thing is true in the mental world. Stay in the present. Its all gonna get done. Your out to play 18 holes, its gonna happen, so stay in the present. Increase efficiency, increase potential.:happy3:

The classic statement of Performance = potential - interference.

If you keep interference to a minimum, your true potential can shine through.

All this off course is relevant to all things GOLF also, TGM is all about slow deliberate and heavy in the golf stroke. Same thing applies to the computer, but possibly rephrased as be clear, be focussed and trust the programming, for want of better phrasing.

Kieran

Kieran's Komin'
 

Thanks, Kieran, for this first post. Despite the groundwork laid in Homer Kelley's Chapter 3 and Chapter 14, we've barely scratched the surface in the Mental aspect of the Game.

Please . . .

Keep your posts comin'!

:salut: