docray Philosophy

In the deliberations of the value of mental skills for us the average players, some predominant views emerge from within. Firstly there are those who when hearing any form of reference to the word psychology think in terms of some form of pathological behaviour for which men in white coats are required. While some behaviour patterns which can be witnessed after the consumption of our favourite amber liquid while discussing the days play tend toward the ridiculous, we generally regard ourselves as being of sound mind! The second opinion is an all embracing one. No matter how bad the reverse pivot, the ball position, the take away or the swing plane is, good mental skills will overcome all and create a golfer of outstanding ability. May I assure you my fellow mortals, this will not happen. The third and final opinion is one of selective convenience. Yes, mental skills play a huge role in the fulfillment of potential but they are there only for the top players in much the same way as the practice range is. Not so according to World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Tom Kite who wrote, "…no matter what a player's handicap, the scores will always be lower if the golfer thinks well".

What then you may ask, should be the approach to adopt toward mental skills in this wonderful game that we are privileged to be part of? Hopefully the following guidelines will serve to enhance your golfing experience:

• Mental skills are part of a holistic approach to the game and as such do not operate in isolation.
• In what Prof. Justus Potgieter refers to as "Mental Toughness", a number of mental skills are seen as constituting this state of mind in golf. Some of these include effective goal - setting, the use of positive affirmations, thinking rationally and controlling the controllables.
• Mental skills need to be practiced in the same way as other aspects of the game (putting, chipping etc.) as they take time to develop and become personalized.
• Good mental skills can drive the other components in the holistic approach and thus lead to performance enhancement for players of all abilities.

Jeffry Timmons and Stephen Spinelli the authors of New Venture Creation: Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century wrote the following:

"No other sport, at any one time, demands so much physically, is so complex, is so intricate, and delicate, and simultaneously so rewarding and punishing; and no one tests one's will, patience, self - discipline, and self - control like golf".

I doubt whether any of us will dispute this statement. Patience, self - discipline and self - control are but some of the mental skills we all require if we are to fulfill our potential whatever it may be.