Tip of the week by teaching professional Jim Coles...

The Drama Of It All…….

If you’re at all like me, you thoroughly enjoy watching a dramatic finish on a Sunday afternoon on the back nine of a PGA Tour event.

Some players hold up under the intense pressure coming down the stretch better than others.  Why do you think that is?  And, how is attempting a putt for a PGA Tour victory any different than you trying to make a 5 footer on the last hole to beat your longtime rival?

I believe that the ‘choke factor’ is somewhat universal and that ultimately you can only choke to a limited degree.  In other words, you might think that you wouldn’t even be able to pull your putter back because your hands would be shaking so much if you had a 5 footer to win a million bucks.  That might be the case, but I’d like to challenge you to think otherwise.

If my premise is correct that your nervous system is directly connected to where your focus is, then, the pressure you’re feeling (whether it’s for the bragging rights with your friends, winning the club championship, or a PGA Tour win) will at some point max out.

The key in all of this as you learn to overcome needlessly ‘shooting yourself in the foot’ and totally messing up shots due to choking, is to have a bullet proof plan that helps to keep your mind in the present.  No one is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to relive past failed shots, or the ‘what-ifs,’ or the ‘I-hope-I-don’ts.’  We’ve all been there, and how you deal with it is everything!

You need to train your mind to focus on one thing at a time.  And the one thing that you choose to focus on (you get to write your own book on this), needs to be so doable that you can repeat it over and over again while you’re on the course.  Your ‘go-to-thought’ is played out dynamically in your swing and stroke.  It will hold up under every circumstance as long as you discipline your mind and don’t allow your thoughts to wander.

Success breeds success!  Don’t misunderstand this powerful truth.  It’s not just a matter of positive thinking.  It’s proving that when your head is in the right place, your skill in hitting shots and making putts will start coming out consistently.  And it’s so satisfying to pull off shots and make putts when your heart is pounding so loudly that you’re sure that your playing partners notice the logo on your shirt going up and down.

In order to find out just how low you can go in this game of a lifetime, I challenge you to adopt a winning attitude and to make those butterflies you experience to fly in formation when the drama of it all hits home……and  embrace each moment like a champ!!

I Look forward to seeing you at the marathon and working on your game!

Jim

Jim Coles PGA Pro

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