What if I told you that everything that has ever happened to you happened in order for you to someday achieve greatness - would you believe it? Would you handle yourself differently on a daily basis, knowing that everything, good or bad, was a gift to you from a higher power in order for you to achieve grand things? If your goal was to be a champion golfer, do you think you would take a different approach to each golf shot you hit if you had no fear of failure? Would there be any reason to swing at the golf ball with fear knowing that your destiny is already set in stone… knowing that you will be great?
Yes, this does sound a bit far-fetched I know. But it’s incredible how many times we hear people talk about how life is against them. This is a common theme on the golf course, right? How many times have you heard your playing partner lament about how they always get the bad bounces, or tell you that the infamous “golf gods” are, once again, out to get them? I’d have to say that the majority of people that talk like this genuinely believe this. Silly, isn’t it?
Well, here’s the catch: the only thing that we as human beings really have control of is how we think. We really do have a choice about what we believe and what attitude we take towards each and every thing that happens to us throughout our entire lives, including during our rounds of golf. We can choose to think one way, or we can choose to think another way. Why do so many of us choose to think that the “golf gods” are against us? Wouldn’t it be just as east to that they are out there to help guide us to greatness? So many of us have trained our minds to believe bad things are bound to happen. Would it hurt to take the extreme opposite approach to your game, and your life for that matter?
One of my favorite quotes of all time, written by an author by the name of Anon, pretty much says it all: “Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens to us. Not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thought, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst… a spark that creates extraordinary results.”
What if a golfer had written this quote, and it read: “Our golf games are not determined by what happens after each shot, but how we respond to each shot. Not by what our game brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to our games. A positive attitude after each and every shot causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst… a spark that will create extraordinary results.”
If we took this approach to the golf course with us on a daily basis, would anything bad come of it? Would it hurt us to learn to manage our thoughts and emotions by truly believing that even on the worst of days there are events and outcomes that will, without question, bring us closer to our long-term goals?
It is important to really “get” that we all create our own energy and beliefs. Every single thought we have will literally change our bodies. Our future is what we think it will be. The thoughts we have and the feelings we feel after each shot will determine the speed of our progress on and off the golf course. the extent to which we manage our emotions will directly affect the speed of our progress- or make no progress at all. We can either believe that the “golf gods” are there to help us, or to hurt us. We can believe that our life experiences can contribute to our learning and guide us, or we can believe that we are victims of a world just waiting to push us off track. If we let life teach us, then we will learn.
Not to long ago, I had the privilege of caddying for one of my junior golfers, James, in a US Kids event. James was really struggling on the second nine holes of this event. He had just hit a ball into the water off the tee, took his drop, and then proceeded to hit his next shot into a bunker that looked as deep as a two story building to me. I can’t imagine how deep it looked to a seven year old. I mentioned to James that champions are made by how they handle themselves when things were not going their way. James looked me right in the eye and said, “OK, coach!” James went on to fearlessly blast his next shot out of the bunker, and then flew a pitching wedge directly into the hole, on the fly, from 50 yards out. The ball never even touched the putting surface. James went on to play his last four holes at two under par. After the round James asked me if he handled himself like a champion. Kids… they’ll believe anything, won’t they?
Well, isn’t it good to know that we, as adults, have the ability to believe anything as well, as long as we put forth the effort? The mind is the most powerful thing in existence! James has a desire to become a champion; therefore, he was able to channel all of his energy in that direction. The great thing is that we are all capable of creating our own destinies. If you believe that, then no matter where you hit your next golf shot, you will create a chain reaction of wonderful events throughout your future rounds and in all areas of your life. With practice and discipline, you can learn to direct your thoughts to only manifest towards your goals and dreams.
Remember, the “golf gods” do have a plan for you. They are really on a mission to help you in your quest to reach your true potential. So don’t slow them down, or get in their way. Continue to have a vision, and know that there is a reason why you drew that bad lie, or brought up that mud on your ball in the middle of the fairway. It is all part of the bigger plan. It is all part of the plan that will help you in your quest to achieve your golfing goals.
- Posted by Bill McInerney
Article Published in Golf Fitness Magazine
We have all seen people using one of the funky looking foam rollers. They usually have a pained look on their face and you think, “That can’t be good”. Actually, as uncomfortable as it is, it is very productive. The technical name for this technique is Self Myofascial Release (SMR). Athletes use this technique to reduce the tension in a muscle.
The simplest way to describe this technique, without sounding like a text book, is to liken it to a self massage. The roller is used to apply pressure to sensitive areas in the muscles. The athlete uses their own body weight to roll on the foam roller “massaging” away any knots or tightness. SMR can help alleviate joint and muscle soreness and increases joint range of motion.
Here are some general guidelines for the use of SMR provided by the National Academy of Sports Medicine:
- Start by searching the tissues for tenderness. If tenderness is identified, hold foam roll on the “hot-spot” for 10-12 sec. Repeat by coming back to area 3-5 times or until tenderness has subsided.
- If tenderness is too much to handle simply add another foam roll, dispersing body weight over a greater surface.
- If no tenderness is identified while SLOW rolling, continue in a smooth rhythmical manner.
- Maintain a tight stomach by pulling the belly button back towards the spine.
Do not perform under the following conditions:
- Feelings of nausea
- Dizziness
- Pain
- Acute rheumatoid arthritis
- Painful varicose veins
Foam rollers come in various sizes and densities, with the more dense rollers providing the most sensation. This can be very uncomfortable so have someone show you how you can manipulate your body to adjust the pressure being used. If used in conjunction with a stretching routine, foam rolling should be done prior to stretching
You can perform SMR massage 1-2 x daily. I keep a small foam roller in my living room to use while I watch the news at night. If you have time to catch your favorite show, you have time to do this.
Click here to purchase a Foam Roller
Posted by Melissa McManus MyGolfingGoals Academy Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Some of you may recognize Justin Peters from the very first season of The Big Break challenge on The Golf Channel in 2003. Justin was the inaugural champion and ever since has been hard at work on his game to try and get to that next level. I actually first met Justin almost 18 years ago while playing junior golf tournaments in Massachusetts. Orignally from Pembroke, MA he was 15 years old and myself about a year older. Watching his game, he made an immediate impression on me, and even more so when he told me it was only his second season playing golf and was already a 1 handicap. He obviously had an unbelievable natural talent for the game. Justin and I would go on to meet each other again occassionally in high school matches, where unfortunately I always fared on the losing end.
Peters made it to the final stage of Q-school this past December for the first time in 11 attempts. Like many mini-tour veterans, taking on the extreme financial burden of bankrolling themselves to try and fulfill their dream of one day making it to the PGA Tour, Justin has often contemplated giving up his PGA Tour aspirations. Making it to the final stage for the first time has given him new hope, as well as the confidence of knowing he’s possibly one step closer to that prestigious moniker of “PGA Tour player”.
You currently have conditional status on the Nationwide Tour this year. Can you clarify what that actually means, to give us an idea of some possible tournaments to keep an eye out for you at this year?
Justin Peters: To be a full member of the Nationwide tour you need to finish 26-60 on last years money list. Also, at Q-school top 25 and ties get PGA tour cards and the next number nearest 50 after that get full Nationwide status. The conditional members are the ones that finished from 61-100 on last years money list and everyone else that was at final stage of Q-school. After 7 events there will be a reshuffle according to money earned and that will determine who gets into the next 5 events. There will be a reshuffle after every 5 events. My best chance of getting into an event is probably the 9th event in South Carolina. I will attempt to monday qualify for the events before that. My first qualifying attempt will be March 22nd in Louisiana.
You’ve made 11 trips to Q-school and this past year you made it to the final stage for the first time. Talk a little bit about the confidence you gained from that experience and what you took away from it.
Justin Peters: It feels amazing to finally have made it to the finals of Q-school. Financially I should have probably quit about 5 years ago. I have never stopped believing I can do it and that I belong on the PGA tour. This year at second stage was the most internal pressure I have ever felt. I knew that if I didn’t make it through I was going to be forced to quit pursuing the dream. I gained a lot of confidence from performing the way I did under that pressure. I have shown improvement every year. I truly enjoy the journey of getting better. I have many friends on the Nationwide and PGA tours. I feel comfotable out there and I am looking forward to the upcoming years.
How do you feel about where your game is right now? Are there any aspects of it that you aren’t happy with and feel you need more work on?
Justin Peters: I feel very good about my game right now. I have been working with Bill McInerney Jr. for the last couple of years. I have seen great progress. He made it very clear to me some of the changes I needed to make. I would say only about 20% were physical changes. He helped me understand the importance of organizing goals and creating action plans to reach those goals. He also helped me understand how to focus only on the things you have control of. He has made an amazing website to help everyone with these sort of things. The website iswww.mygolfinggoals.com. I feel I don’t have any weak parts of my game right now, but I feel I have room for improvement in every area.
Currently you’re playing with no sponsorships, taking on all the financial burden yourself of trying fulfill your dream. Does that give you an added level of stress when playing or attempting to play your way in to tournaments? Or are you able to mentally block that aspect out of the equation?
Justin Peters: For ten years of playing professional I have had to deal with money issues almost every year. I was fortunate enough to play two of those years with a full sponsor and that is when I played my best golf. I was only trying to win trophies. I used to have a very hard time dealing with the fact that I needed to make a check to pay bills. I have gotten much better over the years with dealing with that adversity. Even though I have been winning a lot of tournaments in the last couple of years, I have not been able to break even financially. I have been relying on my friends at Chase and Capital One for their support. Lucky for me they only charge 10% interest!
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