| on the PGA Tour and with Phil Mickelson has brought | | | | motivation and an uplifting experience once a goal is |
| me great insight onto how success occurs in | | | | met. |
| professional golf. | | | | After asking the hard questions and setting goals it is |
| I’m sure we’ll agree that all the players | | | | time to get the ball rolling. This happens |
| in the professional ranks have incredible talent. I also | | | | through the development of a plan. |
| know that talent alone will not win tournaments at | | | | The plan is intended to create a structured approach |
| this level. It is often said that any one of the players | | | | to improving your golf game. It sets a path to follow |
| on Tour can win any week. | | | | in reaching your goals of improvement in your golf |
| What I have noticed over the years of what | | | | game. |
| separates the professional from the amateur golfer is | | | | Certain thoughts to keep in mind when developing |
| not only talent but the intense desire to improve. | | | | your plan are realistic time commitments, physical |
| Every single player at this level has a burning desire | | | | abilities, and playing time. |
| to compete and win. In order for the wins to pile up, | | | | A plan must realistically fit into your life, direct you to |
| a certain mind set must be in place. | | | | your goals, challenge you, and be an enjoyable |
| The mind set is one of constant improvement. | | | | process. |
| You’ll probably agree that any successful | | | | If the plan you set up requires immense |
| person or business has the same mindset. | | | | commitments of time, is not fun, and is not |
| Highly successful people and businesses review their | | | | results oriented. The plan will ultimately fail. |
| current state of affairs and determine where they | | | | Once the plan fails, the goals become unachievable, |
| can improve. It is no different on the PGA Tour. | | | | your golf game suffers, and mentally you become |
| The best of the best review their current golf game | | | | defeated. |
| and determine where they can improve. | | | | It is of the utmost importance your plan is realistic |
| I would suggest as a golfer, you do the same. Take | | | | and focused on you achieving your goals. |
| a good look at your overall golf game. | | | | For example, a plan to improve your golf game could |
| Ask Yourself: | | | | look something like the following example: |
| 1) What is my current golf and body reality? | | | | Name: Joe Golfer |
| 2) Where do I need to improve? | | | | Goals: |
| 3) What plans must be in place to improve? | | | | 1. Improve Driving Distance by 20 yards. |
| 4) How am I going to go about implementing that | | | | 2. Become More Flexible. |
| plan? | | | | 3. Improve Putting Stroke |
| 5) You also need to ask yourself, If it were easy, | | | | 4. Loose 10 lbs. |
| what would my golf game and fitness level look | | | | 5. Lower Handicap 4 strokes |
| like? | | | | Weekly Plan: |
| The answers to these questions could be plentiful | | | | Monday: |
| and may include: | | | | § Flexibility Exercises |
| § Improving your swing mechanics | | | | § Driving Range Practice Session |
| § Increasing your golf fitness | | | | Tuesday: |
| § Performing putting drills 3 times a week | | | | § Aerobic Exercise |
| The point to keep in mind is the answers are yours. | | | | § Putting Drills |
| The answers will allow you to develop goals for your | | | | Thursday: |
| golf game. The goals are marks that you set to | | | | § Flexibility Exercises |
| achieve. | | | | § Driving Range Practice Session |
| The goals can be as simple as going to the driving | | | | Friday: |
| range 2 times per week or more demanding to the | | | | § Aerobic Exercise |
| point of lowering your handicap by 5 strokes. | | | | § Putting Drills |
| Goals allow focus, create motivation, and lend | | | | Saturday: |
| themselves to improvement in your golf game. | | | | Play Round of Golf |
| I have found it best to set up a series of goals. | | | | As you can see, the plan creates a structure around |
| For example, one set of goals are focused towards | | | | Joe Golfer’s goals. Over time if he sticks to |
| improvement of your golf swing, a second set is | | | | his plan. He will achieve his goals. |
| related to improving your fitness levels, and another | | | | Remember, at the professional level of golf, |
| set on improving your scores. | | | | improvement is a key to success. If you desire to |
| In addition to setting up a tier system of | | | | become successful at the game of golf, determine |
| goals, a time line in terms of meeting your goals is of | | | | how you can improve your golf game. Ask yourself |
| great assistance. | | | | the hard questions and answer them truthfully. |
| This creates an opportunity for better focus to | | | | Set up a series of goals for your golf game and |
| develop within your mind. In addition, it creates | | | | implement a realistic plan to reach those goals. |