Goals For Your Game

Outcome goal setters say, "I'm going to break 100 today!" While performance goal setters say, "I'm going to have a balanced setup, think 'take away slow', and 'explode with solid impact & follow through'." The difference is obvious, the first goal is nothing more than a big wish. With no plan to accomplish it. The performance goal, on the other hand, is an exact plan of action. Which if followed, results in a positive outcome.

Pre-Shot Routine is one of those techniques so few amateurs use, but one that every pro masters. It's one of those golf "secrets" only because so few know how important it can be. But let's get away from golf for a moment. One sport has a great example of the Pre-Shot routine and that's baseball. You've seen it. The hitter approaches home plate, enters the batter's box, and proceeds to go through sometimes 10 or 12 seeming useless movements. He adjusts his batter's glove, he taps the bat on the plate, he tugs at his jersey, I can go on and on. If you watch long enough that same hitter goes through the same exact motions each and every time he steps to the plate. It' uncanny! But all those "triggers" work to relax him and to focus his mind on hitting the ball, it's a routine. It works in golf too.

Watch the pros and try to count the number of movements he or she goes through in their Pre-Shot Routine. You probably have developed a couple of "triggers" too. They worth understanding them and developing a few for your game.

"Triggers" and your ability to create them can greatly enhance the mental side of your game. Here's a tip on how to do it you can practice at home anytime and no one will even know. To create and develop a "trigger", choose a simple motion, like adjusting your golf cap. Take your cap off and place it back on your head and give it a little up and down tug. As you do this say to yourself, " I'm going hit it strong and straight!" Or if you're setting up to putt, "I'm hitting it square!" Or choose another set of mental "trigger" words. Remember, you personalize anyway you like. Over time develop 2 or 3 "trigger" motions and "trigger" sentences. You'll begin to see solid results in your golf game.

Golf is a game of adjustments. How we mentally handle those adjustments will either result finishing our round angry and frustrated or satisfied and confident. If you realize before your round that you're going to make some great shots and some not-so-great shots then your mind's coping ability will jump up a few notches. Here's a tip that has helped me and those I've shared it. Mentally, before you start your game, put out what I call a "brain alert". Notify your brain cells what I said before, "Today, I'm going to make some great shots and some not-so-great shots, so deal with it!" It's strange but once your mind is put on notice it, plus all your emotions, seem to fly in formation. Give it a try.

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