Benefits of Playing Golf

Golf Can Help You Change Your Mindset and Stay Fit

By guest blogger Jordan Fuller jordan@golfinfluence.com

What is the single, biggest misconception about golf? For most, it is the reputation of golf itself as a sport. Many people, even golfers, doubt about the health benefits, which essentially should be the key quality of any sports. Many people believe that the health benefit of golf comes only from the walking activities between holes. Yet, is that truly the case?

Actually, there are many more health benefits from golf as an activity. Not only for your body, but also in improving your mental state. Below we will debunk the myths and show you the facts about the health benefit of golfs. Let us begin with the mind and mental aspects.

Golf Can Teach You How To Stay Focused

It is a well-known fact that in this modern life, we lose focus more easily, which is often known as the shortened attention span. The good news is, golf as a game demands a lot of focus, which in turn, will teach you to stay focused in your day to day activities.

To get the most of this benefit, the best thing you can do is improving your ability to focus on the course itself. The best way is to set small goals each round, that are both realistic and challenging enough. Break the course to groups of three holes, and set a small goal for each group. We often get dismayed when making a poor score, considering the whole round is ruined by it. By breaking the course, if you make any bad score, your mindset is changed that it only hurts that sole group of three holes, and you can keep your focus for the next.

Also, develop a standard pre-shot routine that calms you and helps you focus. Look at how Tour players are obsessive with their routines, and sometimes will repeat the routine when they are distracted.

Golf Can Help You Stay Fit Easily

Not only golf demands a lot of focus during the rounds, but it also demands your fitness. Thankfully, the game of golf itself provides a lot of ways to stay fit without much effort.

First, we all know a game of golf involves a lot of walking. If you really want to get the most of it, avoid golf carts and walk as much as possible. It is a great way to build stamina.

Second, carrying your own clubs helps you build strong bones and muscles. Doing these two can also get rid of excess body fat, helping you stay fit and lean.

To make the most of the fitness benefits, here are some things you can do:

• Drink a lot of water

Drinking more water not only regulates your body temperature and improving overall functions. It also controls your appetite, thus helping you lose weight. Specific for your golf performance, it also improves muscle functions for more powerful swings.

• Track your calories

There are a lot of smartphone apps that can help you track what you eat and drink. Some can even track your steps during a golf round. By tracking your calories, you can set realistic goals to help you stay motivated.

Golf Has Great Health Benefits

So, what are the health benefits of golf? Let's list a few:

• Cardiovascular Health

A game of golf is a great way to let your heart pumping healthily. As mentioned, walking and carrying your bag, as well as swinging the clubs increase your heart rate and blood flow. On average, during an 18-hole round, a golfer can have an average heart rate of 100 BPM for two to five hours.

• Weight Loss

Studies suggested that a male golfer burns roughly 2,500 kilocalories during an 18-hole round. Female players? Around 1,500 kilocalories. A round of golf is definitely more entertaining than spending those hours on a treadmill machine or stationary bike.

• Sleep Better, Less Stress

The pleasure of walking in fresh air surrounded by beautiful landscape can help you sleep better at night. The social aspect of golf can also help with this fact, releasing endorphin to enhance your mood levels.

• Live Longer

This is the best part. Studies suggested that golfers have 40% lower death rate, or around a 5-year increase in life expectancy. Want to live longer and healthier? Play golf!

End Words

Golf is indeed a game with many health benefits for your body and soul. The best part is, golf is arguably more entertaining than any other sports, and you can get all the health benefits without much effort.

Golf Positive! Live Positive!

Blind Golfer will Improve your Game

What can a blind golfer teach you about your golf game? A key component to success!

The golf swing is more about rhythm, tempo, and timing than it is about having a stick and smacking a ball. The approach of smacking the ball makes it challenging to be consistent. A more effective strategy is to develop a consistent movement pattern rather than relying on hand-eye coordination. Blind people play golf, which proves that you don’t have to see the ball to make contact. Jake Olson is a blind golfer who dreams of playing on the PGA Tour.

Let me tell you about Jake. He was born with a rare form of eye cancer called retinoblastoma. Before he was a year old, he had lost his left eye to cancer. He fought the disease for twelve years, going through chemotherapy each time it returned. But his doctors ultimately had to take out his right eye. Jake became completely blind at twelve years old.

Before he lost his sight, he played golf and football. After he went blind, Jake wanted to play football so badly that he asked himself what position he could play that wouldn’t require him to see. Remember, in Chapter 1, when we talked about asking quality questions? Jake found the answer—he could be a long snapper. When he first started, he was not very good at all. The coach put him on the team but thought there was no way Jake could play. Jake then asked the coach what he could do to improve. Jake didn’t lament about what he could no longer do. He listened to his coach and worked so hard he became a starter.

“Brokenness doesn’t exist in the body. It exists in the mind, body, and spirit. Mine remains whole!” Jake said.

As for golf, his goal is to be the first blind golfer on the PGA Tour. He says, “Since I’ve become blind, I see better than ever what my true potential can be.” Jake is the author of the book Open Your Eyes: 10 Uncommon Lessons to Discover a Happier Life. We can learn so much from this courageous young man.

Jake is able to play golf because the golf ball is not moving, so it doesn’t require hand-eye coordination. Playing well does require him to trust his golf swing and create a repeatable move. As I watched his swing, I noticed how he used his big muscles, making it easy to be consistent. He used his upper back and shoulders in his backswing, and he used his legs, glutes, and core at the top of his swing all the way to the finish. Jake has a consistent swing.

Practice chipping with your eyes closed. Move your upper back and shoulders in harmony and allow your club to swing like a pendulum back and through. The clubhead will swing through the ball and make solid contact, if you let it. If you struggle to make contact, you are relying too much on hand-eye coordination to hit the golf ball. Keep practicing! Focus on how your body and the club feels instead of ball and trying to hit it. Learn from Jake and improve your game!

An excerpt from the book Golf Postive! Live Positive! by Debbie O'Connell

Finish like a Legend

A finish position that resembles a professional golfer has great balance and full body rotation towards the target and beyond.  Professionals making a full swing do not stop immediately after impact because they have so much momentum and acceleration through impact they have to keep going.  I’m going to share with you the keys to a great follow through, how to make your follow through automatic!

You might be thinking, “I already look like a professional in my finish position.”  That is awesome!  Listening to this audio will give you proven strategies to make sure you continue your great technique!  You may question, “Is this possible?  I’ve tried to get to a better follow through for years.”  Yes!  You can do this!!  I know this because I’ve taught thousands of golfers to make an effortless yet powerful swing!  When you follow through to a great finish position, with perfect balance, something good will happen at the ball!

Talking about a balanced finish position and perfect pose brings me to a photo of one of the most amazing moments in golf history.  The photo was taken during the 1950 US Open at Merion Golf Club as Ben Hogan held his finish position and watched his 1-iron shot fly towards the green. The shot was from the middle of the 18th fairway on the final day and Hogan needed a par to force a playoff.

Photo by Hy Peskin. LIFE Magazine, 1950, TIME, Inc.

It was a miracle that he was even competing as this was Hogan’s first tournament back after being in a car crash that nearly killed him. Hogan’s car collided head-on with a Greyhound bus.  He fractured his collarbone, pelvis, ankle and crushed on of his ribs. The doctors told him his golf career was over. Obviously, Hogan did not accept that diagnosis, and sixteen months later, he was in fighting to win the prestigious US Open.

As you know, the US Open always provides great physical and mental challenges to the players. It was even a greater test in the early days as the schedule included 36 holes of play on the final day. The physical toll of the day was almost too much for Hogan.  David Barrett, author of “Miracle at Merion,” shares that on the 12th hole Hogan almost fell down, and he could barely walk after that. Hogan himself even admitted almost quitting after the 13th hole. “A winner never quits and a quitter never wins!” Hogan’s playing partner and competitor, Cary Middlecoff, actually marked Hogan’s balls on the greens because Hogan was in such agony with searing pain in his legs with every step.

Hogan’s courage, mental toughness and sheer determination helped him to not only survive the day but to have the opportunity to force a playoff.

Needing a par on a very challenging finishing hole, Hogan hit a drive to the middle of the fairway, and then the miracle shot … he hit his 1-iron to the green. It was Lee Trevino who said to avoid getting hit by lightening, “Stand in the middle of the fairway and hold up a 1-iron.  Even God can’t hit a 1-iron.”  Well, Ben Hogan could! He hit it perfectly in the perfect moment! His ball hit the green and held, Hogan two-putted to force a playoff! 

The next day he returned to Merion to win the 18-hole playoff over Lloyd Magnum and George Fazio. This was the second of his four U.S. Open titles. 

The “Miracle at Merion” as it is known, was such an amazing story of heart and strength that Hollywood would made a movie about it called “Follow the Sun” just one year after his triumph!

Practice following through to a balanced finished position and you'll play even better golf!

Golf Positive! Live Positive! Be Positive!

*This is an excerpt from the book Golf Positive! Live Positive! written by Debbie O'Connell

Lexi's Loss - Let's Learn

What happened to Lexi Thompson during the final round of the LPGA's first major of the year the ANA Inspiration is unfair for many reasons. I plead with both the LPGA and the PGA to put in  rules and guidelines for the use of video replay and viewer input, as well as timing of penalties assessed.

All sports fans are used to the idea of using video replay to make rules decisions in other professional sports. Each sport carefully debated the their respective sports would use this technology to enhance the fairness of the game. Each sport has their own set of rules about the number of times and which infractions a video replay can be engaged.

Have the LPGA and PGA discussed and debated the fairest way to use video replay in the game of golf? Has their been a debate about the fact that only a portion of the field is on camera and even fewer actually on television? Have they reviewed a set of guidelines and procedures to handle the situation of viewer input and timing of penalties? Have the LPGA and PGA discussed how a players game plan changes based on the scoreboard? The USGA allows for "local rules" that are unique to golf courses, I'm sure the LPGA and PGA can include their own "local rules" for their unique situation. I hope these discussions have taken place but if not, maybe they will.

The USGA is responsible to write, review and change the Rule of Golf. The job of the rules officials  and the players is to enforce the rules. I believe it's the responsibility of the LPGA and PGA to make the rules about the use of video replay and viewer input (or interference as many are calling it).

I understand that the LPGA Rules officials were following the rules set by the USGA. But experience should tell us that information from television viewers is unfair and not good for the game. Think back to Anna Nordqvist who was informed of a penalty for barely touching the sand in a fairway bunker during the second hole of a three hole playoff in the 2016 US Women's Open. Only a slow motion replay of the swing could have revealed the infraction. The unfair part of this story was that Anna was informed of the penalty after her third shot on the final playoff hole. Her opponent and eventually winner, Brittany Lang was informed before her third shot. This information changed Brittany's game plan - she could now play it safe. "It certainly changed her game plan," Nordqvist said. "But, you know, hopefully we can all learn from it and hopefully we can all get better.

I'm not sure we learned anything. I'm hopeful the LPGA and PGA can learn from the situation with Lexi! 

I agree with Jane Geddes who commented after the conclusion of the tournament that there should be a "statue of limitations." The 3rd round was virtually "in the books." The tee times for the final round were set and not only underway, but through 12 holes. Professional golfers with a three shot lead play a different game than a golfer one stroke behind on the back nine. If Lexi knew she was behind would she have hit a safe tee shot on hole twelve, which ended up in a three putt? She may have played with a different strategy and tried to hit it close for a birdie.

The emotional and mental strain on Lexi was tremendous. She handled it incredibly well and with total class. Dustin Johnson also had to fight hard through the mental challenge at the 2016 US Open after the delayed penalty was called on him in the final round. He was told on the twelfth tee that he might get a one shot penalty for his ball moving on the fifth green. They wouldn't know until after the round. He played not knowing if he was leading or one shot behind. Fortunately for Dustin, he stayed focused, played great and went on to victory. Again, the timing of the actual call by the rules officials seems unfair.

The golf world is pleading with the LPGA and PGA to set fair standards when it comes to viewer input and timing of penalties assessed. Don't wait until 2019 for the USGA to adopt rules changes. Please, for the good of the game do something now.

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Confidence in Work and Golf

I read an awesome article in Fortune.com giving career advice to working women by Diana Middleton. As in golf, most of the time women are the minority in business and especially at a board room table. This can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be.

The article shares that often times in business women are more focused on their level of competence rather than their level of confidence. Confidence is a key to success! Competence is also important but men will often advance in a company or get their ideas heard because of they exude confidence. Many women who are fully competent may still appear lacking in belief.

Here is some advice from Diana's article, "If you find yourself in such a situation, but are feeling insecure, it can be difficult to act confidently. One way to find courage is to utilize confident body language. Leaning back in your chair and taking up space in the room display a sense of self-assuredness. Speaking with authority in a calm voice is another sign."

Body language is a key to success on the golf course as well. As you approach the tee keep your chest out, chin up and shoulders back. When you are waiting to hit your shot stand in a "Wonder Woman" pose.

Sometimes you need confidence just to say yes to an invitation to play golf as an informal networking opportunity. Stand tall and give an authoritative, "Yes!" to playing golf. Too many women decline these opportunities because they don't feel like they are good enough. The key is more confidence, not hitting more range balls! You can create that confidence with body language and positive thoughts.

The article concludes by saying, "The next time you're in a room filled with men, don't worry about having a fully formed idea before speaking. Just speak up—and with force. Having a passionate voice is more important than having no voice at all. Harness that passion confidently in your body language and speech. Take up space, embrace your confidence, keep calm, and lead." Show up confidently on the golf course as well!

Golf Positive! Live Positive!
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Set yourself up for Success!

Setup Fundamentals

Setting yourself up for a successful golf shot begins with having an effective setup position. Let’s take some time to check the fundamentals of your position at address. This is important because a proper setup will allow you to make the most powerful golf swing while creating more consistent shots. Most of my students are searching for just that - more distance and even better direction!

Let's reach your full potential by setting you properly. Keep your back straight and bend forward from the hips. Think of the forward bend as a tush push because of where your backside goes as you bend forward; however, be careful not to arch your lower back. This sounds easy, but many of my students struggle with this forward bend. Be sure to bend from your hips and avoid rounding your upper back. Simply stand up straight and bend forward from the hips. Your backswing rotation will be impeded if you arch your lower back or round your upper back, which usually results in many swing flaws. 

Think of the forward tilt like this: You have just arrived home from grocery shopping and you want to carry all of the bags into the house in one trip. Your arms are full, but you have to close the car door. What do you do? Obviously, you stand with your back to the car door and then quickly bend and bam, your backside hits the door and it slams shut. This is the tush push.

After the tush push, allow your arms to hang from your shoulders. This is where you’ll grip the club. Avoid reaching out from your body, which will cause tension in your arms and shoulders. I call this part of the setup tilt and hang.

Now, take some time to review your setup in a mirror with a golf club. Look into the mirror face on, tilt forward, and let your arms hang. Go ahead and grip the club, setting your hands in front of the inner thigh of your lead leg. Check your balance. You should feel sturdy enough that someone couldn’t knock you over with a slight push. Now, look in the mirror from the side to ensure that your back is neutral. From this position, tilt your pelvis back and forth while keeping your upper back still. This move will test the muscles you will use during your golf swing. If you cannot make this movement, I suggest finding a fitness professional with golf-fitness training to help you. If you can make the move but feel shaking, repeat the pelvis tilt three times a week for ten repetitions to strengthen those muscles. This exercise will help you rotate more efficiently around your spine when it is in the tilted position.

A great set up will create even more power and consistency in your golf swing! It's worth taking some time to review and practice your setup.

Be Positive - Live Positive - Golf Positive

Play Golf and Live Longer

The benefits of the game of golf have been proven to be much more than a recreational activity to enjoy with family, friends and competitors, it lengthens our life!

When I was a golf professional is Florida, I had the awesome privilege of giving lessons to students who were in their 90"s. I don't mean their golf score, I mean their age! I often thought that the opportunity to play golf year round, kept people healthier.

Now there is a study proving golf provides health benefits that will keep us swinging for more years than if we didn't play golf. Research findings published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, revealed playing golf is great for the health of your heart, arteries and lungs. Golf may also help some chronic conditions including heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes.

Lead scientist Dr Andrew Murray, from the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh, said: 'We know that the moderate physical activity that golf provides increases life expectancy, has mental health benefits, and can help prevent and treat more than 40 major chronic diseases such as heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer."

Another benefit that was obvious to me as a golf professional is the ability for older golfers to maintain balance. A normal process of aging is to struggle with balance unless you are doing something to combat the trend. The study proved a physical benefit of golf is improved balance. Playing golf will not only keep you alive longer, it could also improve the quality of your life.

Make it a priority to play more golf, your life may depend on it!

Click here to read the article from DailyMail.com

Golf Positive, Live Positive, Be Positive

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Fond Memories of Legendary Coach Pat Summitt

She Changed the World

Fond Memories of Legendary Coach Pat Summitt

By Debbie O’Connell

Founder & President, Golf Positive

It was 1982 when I watched the first ever NCAA women's basketball tournament on television. The  Final Four semifinal game was between Tennessee and Louisiana Tech. I remember being in awe of the coach of Tennessee, Pat Summitt. She was tough, intense and motivating. I thought, "I would love to play for her."

When I went to basketball camps where college coaches gathered to analyze the talent for their recruiting process, I remember looking into the stands, seeing Coach Summit, and hoping she would notice me. As it turned out, I was not recruited by the legendary Pat Summitt, but our paths crossed two times during my four years at Western Kentucky University. My freshman year, 1986, I was fortunate enough to compete in the NCAA Final Four with USC, Texas and Tennessee. We lost in the semifinals to Texas, whose team went on to win and complete the first undefeated season in women's NCAA basketball. Tennessee lost to USC with star Cheryl Miller leading the way. It was an amazing experience in my life!

Two years later, the Tennessee Lady Vols traveled to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to play a regular season game in our home arena. As a point guard, I felt the intense pressure of the Lady Vols defense. I imagined as Coach Summitt prepared for our game, she must have watched films of me playing. It was incredible to think that she might have mentioned my name and planned a strategy to play us. We lost the game, but it was certainly an honor for me to shake hands with Pat.

I'm so thankful to Pat for transforming women's basketball and bringing it to the forefront. She was a pioneer who made an incredible impact on thousands of lives. Her reach went beyond basketball! One of my favorite quotes from Pat is: "The world isn't a place you live in. It's a place you change." Pat changed the world.

Her fierce competitiveness and tireless work ethic made her successful. She brought that same intensity to the golf course. She loved to play golf – even making a hole in one - and as always, she loved to win. I heard a story from a dear friend of hers who was on her team in a golf tournament. This gal had a 5 foot putt the team needed her to make. As she analyzed the putt, Pat gave her that famous stare and said, "You will make this putt!" Fortunately for her, she made it!! 

We can all learn from Pat. If you want to achieve a goal, work hard! If you want to win, out-work your competition. Another quote from Pat: "They don't care how much you know unless they know how much you care." 

Thank you, Pat, being an amazing example for all of us to live by! 

Debbie O’Connell

Founder & President, Golf Positive

LPGA Professional, Professional Speaker

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Coaches & Mentors

I have a philosophy in life that I try to live by everyday ... Learn from other peoples mistakes so I don't have to make them all myself! Mistakes are definitely opportunities to learn. I feel that if you learn from an event that didn't go as planned it isn't a failure. But why make all the mistakes yourself when others have come before you and made the same mistake?

If you can learn from a coach or mentor or research, you can reach your goals much faster than those that came before you! For example, research in golf has proven that a pre-shot routine performed consistently helps to put us in the best state to hit an effective golf shot. I don't have to experiment on my own and make swings with and without a pre-shot routine and track the results. I'm going to heed the advice of professionals.

About 25 years ago I met an awesome lady who was battling skin cancer. She asked me if I put sunscreen on before going outside and if I reapplied during my round of golf. I assured her that I took those precautions. Then she said, "Make sure you put the sunscreen on the top of your ears." She showed me where the tops of her ears had to be cut off because of the skin cancer. Now this was something I didn't think about. I learned from her experience and started to apply sunscreen to my ears!

Make an effort to learn something everyday from other peoples experiences! Sometimes you'll learn what not to do and other days you'll learn what to do! My other philosophy is to find people who are successful in all areas of their lives and find out what actions that they take each day. We can learn from others mistakes and their success!

Create the life of your dreams by having a coach or mentor to guide you!

Be Positive - Live Positive - Golf Positive

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Clarity on Your Target

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In golf and in life it is essential to have clarity on your end goal. You get what you focus on in life. 

On the golf course be sure to have a specific target for every shot. Often times I’ll ask a player, “What is your target?” and the response is something like “somewhere in play" or “the middle of the fairway” or “the green.” In choosing your target, it’s best to choose a very specific target like, the left edge of the bunker, or the tree behind the green or the flag or a spot on the green to land a chip shot. The more specific the target, the more clarity you’ll have in the shot you plan to execute. 

Also, pick a target that gives you room to be successful. By successful I mean, even if your ball does not go exactly as planned, there is still room to the left and right of the target for your ball to land in a good position. It was Jack Nicholas who said, “I hit 5 or 6 perfect shots per round, the rest are just good misses.” That’s coming from one of the best players to ever step on the links!

Choosing your target is part of your pre-shot routine. 

You may already have a pre-shot and that is fantastic! Be sure to incorporate time to think and plan your shot as well as choosing a target and spot for alignment from behind the ball. 

After all of the decisions are made and you know the exact shot you plan to execute, it’s time to stop thinking and just get aligned and set up and focus on the target, and swing!

Mark Cuban said “stay focussed and believe in yourself and your own ability and judgement.”

Focus on your target ….. Remember, the golf ball is NOT the target!

“What? I’m trying to hit the golf ball, why is that not my target?”  Your target is where you want the ball to go… like the flag, or a tree that is in line with the center of the fairway. Engage with the target, breathe and swing without thoughts.

That is true focus! Your body knows how to swing the golf club, so you don't need swing thoughts during your actual swing, they actually just get in the way! Instead, let the ball just get in the way of your swing. Again, you don’t want to try to hit the golf ball.

Take some time to review your pre shot routine and practice focussing only on the target. If you want to be a more consistent player, you need to be consistent in your preparation.

In life, get crystal clear on your ultimate vision. How much money are you making? What career is perfect for you? What is your fitness level? How much energy, joy, enthusiasm and passion do you feel everyday? What do you imagine for your extraordinary relationship?

Take some time to get clear on your goals in life. Ask yourself, how can I achieve this outcome? Don't allow yourself to make excuses, as the Nike ad says, "Just Do It! Getting clarity and focus is the first step!

Be Positive, Live Positive, Golf Positive

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CORE Triumph! 4-step Strategy for Success

As this year comes to an end and a new year is about to begin take some time to think about all that you have accomplished in 2015. If you didn't reach some of your larger goals, focus on the smaller areas. What did you do in 2015 that makes you feel proud?

A key to growing and succeeding is learning. What can you learn from 2015? What worked and what did not? Give yourself some time to review 2015 and record the valuable lessons.

Now it's time to look forward! This is your time, this is your year to reach your potential and I’ll be right there to coach you all the way!

I will continue to provide you with skills and strategies for success in life and golf! 

We are going to start with my 4-step strategy for success, CORE Triumph! This proven strategy will put you on the path to reach your goals.  CORE Triumph! is an acronym … C for Coach, O for Outcome, R for Reasons, and E is for Execution!

Most successful people have a teacher, mentor or coach.  If you will allow me, I would be honored to be your personal coach … and golf professional!  It is thrilling for me to teach this game of golf! I’ve guided and coached thousands of students … with great success and I’m confident that I can help you reach your goals! 

Using CORE Triumph! - You will have clarity in your goals, the motivation to achieve them and the plan to triumph!   With a just a little time and focus you will reach your outcome! 

You have already done Step one in Core Triumph, you have a coach! Me! I suggest you also find mentors who have succeeded in the area you would like to triumph this year.

Step two in CORE triumph is to know your outcome.  Ask yourself what you want to achieve in golf and / or life.

Almost all successful ventures begin with setting a goal, knowing your outcome, where you want to go!  If you get in your car without knowing your destination you’ll never arrive!! Think about your ideal future and write it down. Is it to make more money, start your own business, get in shape, lose weight, shoot even par, give more to charity ... what do you want in life?

Step three is Reason.  Ask yourself why your vision is important to you!  How will it change your life?  Make your reasons as compelling as possible so you are truly motivated! 

The truth is, to be successful you need to picture your outcome and know your reasons why you want that outcome before you start! 

The fourth step in CORE is the E - Execution!  Write down your plan to reach your outcome. Be specific with your plan with dates and times!

It’s time to execute …. take action …  with Energy! 

CORE Triumph! A proven 4-step strategy for success! Get started! Write down your CORE Triumph! plan for success!!

Make 2016 your best your ever! You can do it!

Live Positive - Be Positive - Golf Positive 

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Focus on Success

Successful people have razor sharp focus on their goals! In life you get what you focus on which includes your thoughts, actions, dreams and the words you say to yourself! 

I recently had the amazing opportunity to be around and interact with an inspiring and accomplished group of female athletes at the Annual Women's Sports Foundation. The WSF was founded in 1974 by tennis legend, Billie Jean King. It is dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity.

One of the athletes, who I had previously not heard about, caught my attention. She is an extraordinary person who had to overcome tremendous challenges since the day she was born. Tatyana McFadden was born with a disease called Spina Bifida, which is a hole in her spine. She was paralyzed from the waist down. She spent the first six and a half years of her life in an orphanage in Russia, with no access to a wheelchair. Tatyana had some big challenges but she did not see it that way! Tatyana focussed on what was possible and what she wanted to do, not on her limitations. So when wanted to keep up with the other children and play, she figured out a way. Tatyana learned to walk on her hands. She did not accept a limiting belief that she could not play because she could not walk. When there is a will there is a way, and Tatyana found a way.

She was adopted in 1994 by American, Deborah McFadden, then Commissioner of Disabilities for the US Department of Health. Tatyana was thrilled with her new exciting life and all of the opportunities ahead. Unfortunately, her health worsened and her family was told that she may only live a couple more years. The families focus immediately turned to what was possible for Tatyana. They pictured a strong healthy girl who was active and happy!

To gain strength and work towards the dream they could imagine, Tatyana played various sports including wheelchair basketball, swimming, ice hockey and scuba diving. She found her passion, wheelchair racing! Her health improved drastically and she became an incredibly strong world class athlete! Tatyana always rises higher then any challenge presented. She always focusses I her outcome!

Tatyana's debut into the Paralympics was in 2004 when she was just 15 years old and the youngest on Team USA. She won two medals, in 2008 she won four medals, 2012 she added four more including three golds! At the 2013 World Championships she became the first athlete in history to win six gold medals at the same competition. Always looking for the next challenge, Tatyana added another completion to her schedule, she joined the professional marathon circuit. She has won the Chicago, London, Boston and New York marathons and is the first person, able bodied or disabled to with the Grand Slam (4 World Major Marathons in the same year!) She has accomplished it two years in a row and will complete her third Grand Slam if she wins the NYC Marathon November 1.

Not wanting to let a season pass without a race, Tatyana also competes in the Winter Paralympics in cross country skiing. With limited experience, she won a silver medal in 2013.

Tatyana focusses on her goals and ideal outcomes in her life. Then she has the drive and passion to accomplish her goals! I love the quote that points out that the word impossible truly says, "I'm Possible!" 

Pay attention to your thoughts, words and actions. You will get what you focus on, so focus on your ideal outcome and the life you want. Live, breath and dream about your goals! 

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Superhero Performance

Certain players onTeam USA at the Solheim Cup Sunday’s singles matches elevated their performance to another dimension, a superhero level. The US Team was losing 10-6 heading into the 12 singles matches. Team Europe only need 4 points to retain the Solheim Cup, but something in the US players said, “No!”

We certainly had the pleasure of witnessing absolutely amazing golf and a mental focus we all would like to achieve! Let’s examine the peak performance mindset…

The concept of Flow was coined by professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in 1975 as he explained in his book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. The word Flow is synonymous with ‘being in the zone' or in the ‘Flow channel' or in a state ‘fluid performance'. Superfluidity is the supreme Flow experience. It is an ego-less state of "Super Flow" marked by zero friction (rubbing/slowing), zero viscosity (resistance to flowing) and Superconductivity (zero loss of energy).

Imagine playing a round of golf, or being active in any event or project, and staying out of your own way, and experiencing zero friction?

While researching the concept of peak performance and superfluidity I came across Christopher Bergland, world-class endurance athlete, who has a Guinness World Record for running (153.76-miles in 24 hours on a treadmill) and is the three-time champion of the Triple Ironman, which is a 7.2-mile swim, 336-mile bike, followed by a 78.6-mile run done consecutively. 

Chris explains, “Superfluidity is a state of perfect harmony. When you are so immersed in what you are doing that you completely become one with the task at hand to the point that your ego dissolves you are in a state of Superfluidity.” 

Most of us are in a state of flow while truly focussing on a task, project, or competition. The professional athlete can maintain that state of flow throughout a competition and avoid most negative thoughts, anxiety, fears or doubts or as Csiksgentmihalyi would call it, “friction.”

To reach the absolute peak performance, a superhuman experience, it’s superfluidity! It’s an entirely different level then flow. Chris says, “To achieve this state it is necessary that you ‘let go' and get out of the way of your ego stored in the prefrontal cortex.”

I believe that is exactly what happened to some of our US players after the unsportsman like action of European player, Suzann Petterson. The player’s ‘let go’ and got out of their own way as their focus was on the prize and redemption! 

You probably already know what happened. On the 17th hole of the Saturday afternoon four ball competition between Suzann Pettersen and her partner Charley Hull against Brittany Lincicome and Alison Lee, Pettersen claimed that the 16 inch putt Lee had left for par to tie the hole was not verbally conceded. Lee picked up the ball as Hull was obviously walking off the green towards the next hole and Pettersen was not  in her sight. Although no verbal concessions were made, the actions of the players communicated, ‘That’s good, let’s go to the next hole.” The rules official with the group had no choice but to give the hole to the Europeans, who went on to win the match.

This certainly fired up the American team!

Let’s examine the superfluid play of some of the American players:

Lexi Thompson, US Teams first player out was 7-under par through 14 holes and halved her match.

Morgan Pressel beat the always tough player Catriona Mathew.

Alison Lee was 2 down through 4 holes and then went into superfluid mode, making 3 birdies in a row, then birdied 3 of the last 7 holes to her match.

Gerina Piller was all square through the 9th hole and then birdied 4 of the next 6 holes. On the 18th hole, Piller needed to make a 12 foot par putt to keep the European Team from getting the last 1/2 point they needed to keep the cup! She made that pressure packed putt!

Lizette Salas was 1 down through 11 and then birdied 5 of the next 6 holes to win, 3 & 1.

Angela Stanford was taking on the very intense, Suzann Pettersen in her singles match, and started her round birding 4 of the first 6 holes. With par’s from holes 7-14, Stanford found herself all square, but then she birdied 15 and 16. It seemed fitting that Stanford closed out Pettersen with a par on hole 17, where the earlier incident occurred. 

Cristie Kerr was 3 down after 4 holes but then went to another dimension and birdied 7 out of the next 8 holes!

Michelle Wie’s intensity was evident as I watched her on the first tee preparing for her match! Her peak performance state helped her to birdie 8 of 14 holes, including 5 in a row to defeat Caroline Hewall!

Paula Creamer was the anchor player for the US Team and she proved that she was worthy of that position! She started her round with 5 par’s and then birdied 5 out of the next 8 holes including 3 in row to win 4 & 3 over Sandra Gal.

It was a time that the players became one with the mission and were absorbed into a state of complete concentration and focus on the prize! Many talk about the incident on the 17th green with Pettersen being the fuel that lit the fire and put the US Team players into their superfluid peak performance state. I agree!

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