| How can you eliminate those distracting thoughts | | | | oneness with the universe by removing all mental |
| that keep popping up in your mind? | | | | barriers. In eliminating all past and future thoughts and |
| Achieving an optimal mental state of clarity before | | | | becoming one with the present, you will have the |
| each shot involves removing all thoughts of the past | | | | power to create your own truth. On the golf course, |
| and future and focusing on the present task. By | | | | if you can learn to let go of the past and the future |
| clearing the mind of distractions that are unrelated to | | | | and play in the moment, not only will you become |
| what you are doing at the present moment, you'll be | | | | more confident and focused, you will grow to be a |
| able to focus your complete attention on executing | | | | happy and relaxed player. |
| the perfect shot. The main objective in achieving | | | | To achieve a "Zen" state of mind in your game is to |
| mental clarity is to be in a state of intense focus that | | | | remove the negative emotion connected with |
| allows you to shut out any thoughts that may | | | | anxiety and recollection. The fear of duplicating |
| interfere with your performance. Introducing | | | | mistakes causes self-doubt, and in turn diminishes |
| unpleasant thoughts from your last hole, or from the | | | | your concentration ability and your overall power. |
| last time you were placed in a similar situation will | | | | Everyone makes mistakes, and we can learn from |
| divide your focus between the shot you are about | | | | them, but this does not mean we should dwell on |
| to take, and memories of the past. | | | | them. Changing your outlook by enjoying the |
| Alternatively, placing too much emphasis on an | | | | moment instead of dwelling on negative possibilities |
| expectation like winning a competition, or beating | | | | will open the door to your true potential. Achieving |
| your personal record will not only disrupt your | | | | the outcome you desire is all about managing your |
| concentration and result in a bad shot; it may also | | | | frame of mind and believing in yourself. |
| ruin your attitude for the rest of your game. An | | | | Tips |
| entire game can be sabotaged by over-thinking past | | | | 1. Once you have decided how you are going to play |
| and future shots. If you remove unproductive | | | | your shot, step up to the ball, get your conscious |
| thinking and make an effort to concentrate on the | | | | mind out of the way, and create the image so your |
| present moment, you'll conquer feelings of | | | | body can perform and then hit. |
| disappointment, and improve your concentration skills. | | | | 2. Discarding thoughts of previous holes and your |
| There is only one shot that should be in your mind at | | | | score while addressing the ball will help you create |
| any given time - the shot you are about to make. | | | | the shot you want now in the present. |
| Are you "in the moment?" | | | | 3. Placing too much emphasis on winning a |
| Shifting your entire awareness to the present | | | | competition, or beating your previous score shifts |
| moment to eliminate fears and distractions is the | | | | your focus, causing poor shots which subsequently |
| basis of a philosophy that embodies the ideal mindset | | | | leads to a destructive attitude for the remainder of |
| for golf. Zen philosophy states that in order to have | | | | the game. |
| peace of mind you must achieve enlightenment, a | | | | |