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