Empowering Beliefs

“What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true capability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are.” Tony Robbins

What are your beliefs as yourself as a golfer? Have you ever have an awesome front 9 only to blow it on the back 9? Or maybe you had a day you were hitting the ball great but your short game was undesirable? Do you ever wonder why that happens? I used to wonder, so I did some research and examined my own experiences to discover the answer.

You have a certain belief and image as to your skill level as a golfer. There is actually a range of golf scores that your brain is programed to shoot, based on your beliefs.  You will live up to that expectation most of the time. 

You may find that you alway score between 96 and 104, or 82 to 94. Examine your last 20 scores and I bet you’ll see a very consistent pattern. So when you have a front 9 that is out of the range, whether high or low, you’ll do the opposite on the back 9, resulting in a score that coincides with your belief.

Let’s breakthrough that bottom number! I want you to keep a master scorecard of a golf course or golf courses that you play often and write down the best score you have ever had on each hole. This is called your ringer score but I want you to write, in big letters on the scorecard “It’s Possible!” Put this master scorecard in a place where you see it everyday. When you get a lower score on one of the holes, be sure to change the score and your total.

In addition to the It’s Possible scorecard, just before you fall asleep for the night, I want you to visualize yourself playing each hole best you have ever played it. Visualize yourself making all of those great shots! Your mind may sometimes wonder to a poor shot, but stop that thought and give yourself a mental mulligan.  Then replay that shot when you did it perfectly!

Also, pay attention to how you describe your round of golf to others. As a golf professional at a club, I’d always ask the members how they played and inevitably they would share, in detail their worst holes! 

Well, I want you to drown yourself and your brain with all great shots instead! 

Let’s Reach Your Potential!

Be Positive - Live Positive - Golf Positive

golfpositive.com

Beyond the Country Club

Golf gave me a dream job. Over a period of 15 years, I was the Head Golf Professional at three country clubs.  The respect, recognition and awards poured in from satisfied clients and the Ladies Professional Golf Association. I was on top of the golfing world. But I wanted something more. 

One day I was watching Oprah on television at the height of her career. She said she was striving to reach her full potential. I felt a butterfly in my stomach for two reasons:  First, I felt the same way. I want to use all of my gifts. Second, it shocked me that Oprah felt that she had not reached her full potential yet!

Running the golf operation and teaching golf at country clubs gave me the satisfaction of touching many lives. People picked up on my smile. Anxious clients learned to relax as we laughed and danced a little on the golf course during a lesson or a round. They learned that golf is just a game that’s meant to be enjoyed. For me, the pay was good. But the psychological and emotional rewards were priceless.

Every time a client learned to enjoy playing golf, it reminded me of my own journey.

I started my “golf career” as the employee who picked up golf balls on the driving range. My  vehicle was often used for target practice as I drove around retrieving the practice balls. “Bang!”  I would jump, startled even though I was listening to my Walkman (no iPods yet). When there was a job opening, I asked to become a ranger (now called player assistant)  - and then  moved on to starter, where I sat in the booth with a fellow employee, listening to music and singing Perry Como songs between sending anxious golfers out to play. Unfortunately, our singing didn’t relax them! I was also working hard on my own golf game and playing in tournaments. Next I got the chance to teach an adult school class. None of the professionals wanted to teach a class of 15 people for one hour and make about $10. The job was mine! I was thrilled. That was the moment when I knew that I had found my career in golf.

On each step of my golf career, I felt a tug toward becoming a club professional instead of a playing pro. Teaching made the best use of my natural athletic ability and my love for people.  What a relief.  I’d actually get a guaranteed paycheck, although small at the time, instead of having to play a great game of golf to get paid. 

On each step of my golf career, I felt a tug toward becoming a club professional instead of a playing pro. Teaching made the best use of my natural athletic ability and my love for people.  What a relief.  I’d actually get a guaranteed paycheck, although small at the time, instead of having to play a great game of golf to get paid.

The link to life beyond the country club came through my work with the LPGA. By teaching women on the golf course and inspiring them to use golf to reach their potential, I found my calling. During this time, I was named the Professional of the Year in my section of the LPGA and National Professional of the Year in the LPGA.  I was honored with other awards as well, including the inaugural Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award, given to an individual resembling the legendary golf champion Nancy Lopez’s Leadership, Passion, Giving and Approachability.

I formed a national company with a fellow LPGA professional, my fitness professional, sport psychologist and business expert.  We founded the Official Online Amateur Community of the LPGA.  We started the only nationally published women’s golf magazine, hosted a radio show, conducted corporate outings, tournaments and clinics across the country.  We continued to grow during a tough economy.  My experience here provided invaluable insight to the business world. It gave me the tools to go out on my own.

An entrepreneur at heart, I started my own company called, “Golf-Positive.” Everything I’ve experienced, learned and accomplished in my life prepared me to launch this company. Golf-Positive reaches people in a variety of multimedia outlets including books, audio, video tips, speaking engagements and events.

Oprah is famous for saying: “Live Your Best Life.”  Golf gave me that – and so much more. Now I want to help as many people as possible learn to enjoy playing golf and use lessons from the golf course to succeed in all areas their lives!

Be Positive - Live Positive - Golf Positive!
http://golfpositive.com

Go With Your Gut

Often in life, a voice inside begs you to listen. Have you ever had that silent voice nudge you to “bring the umbrella” or “double-check the door” or “call your mother” but you ignored it?  Later in the day, you say, “I knew I should have done that. I had a feeling in my gut.”
This happens with life-changing events and decisions. Years ago, I would listen to motivational speakers in person, on cassettes (no downloads then) or on television, and I loved it. I truly felt motivated!  I also could feel the excitement bubbling up inside and hear my inner voice saying that I would like to be that person. I could see myself in front of a crowd of people, sharing inspirational stories, making them laugh (hoping not at me, just at my jokes) and reaching into their emotions, recognizing their fears and overcoming barriers by encouraging them to excel and succeed in life. “I can do that,” I thought.  Then it hit me. I realized that I must succeed at  something before I could tell others how to be successful.   

As I look at my life, I realize that I now have life experience. Well, OK, I’ll say it. I’m older now, and I have some success under my belt, so it’s time to acknowledge that feeling in my gut and listen to that inner voice that has stayed with me all these years.  
Throughout my career as a golf professional, I’ve had the opportunity to be a master of ceremonies, a keynote speaker, a speaker at Ladies Professional Golf Association national seminars and more.  I’ve always loved the opportunity to enlighten others.

Not every speech has gone perfectly.  When I was preparing for my gig as the Master of Ceremonies at the LPGA Southeast Section Awards, I got a great idea from Billy Crystal after seeing his opening as the host of the Oscars. I decided to use the song “Hello Dolly” but changed the words to include all of the award winners’ names and titles.  I must say: It was a cute song!  I started the evening by mentioning Billy Crystal and the Oscars, and then began my song. The smiling faces in the crowd gave me great feedback.  Then I forgot the words. Oh boy!  I just stopped and said, “I forgot the words. But don’t worry. I have them right here, so I’ll just start over.”  I heard a gal at the front table say, “That’s embarrassing!” I started the song again and completed it perfectly. The crowd clapped. They seemed enthusiastic. But I will never know if they were applauding my take on the Oscars. They could have just been relieved that I didn’t screw it up again. 

On a positive note, as the keynote speaker of an Executive Women’s Golf Association event, the theme was saying “Yes” to opportunities in life.  I was thrilled when I finished my speech. The audience gave me a standing ovation. The best part about the speech came months later: A woman who had been in the audience told me that an opportunity came along at work that she would have normally declined. But she had remembered my speech and said “yes.”  She was thankful for the encouragement. 

Be Positive, Live Positive, Golf Positive

C.O.R.E Triumph!

http://golfpositive.com/html/site/

Go with the Flow, Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko, LPGA Tour Star

Another great birthday for Lydia Ko!  Two days after her 18th birthday she defended her title at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, for her seventh LPGA Tour victory.  

Lydia became the No. 1 ranked woman professional golfer on 2 February 2015 at age 17, making her the youngest player of either gender to be ranked No. 1 in professional golf.^[2][3]

Born in Seoul, South Korea, she had been the top-ranked woman amateur golfer in the world for 130 weeks^[4] when she announced she was turning professional on 23 October 2013. She became the youngest person ever to win a professional golf tour event^[5] and youngest person ever to win an LPGA Tour event.^[6

We can all learn so much from Lydia!  She just goes with the flow on the golf course.  The next time you get out to the golf course think of Lydia and go with the flow. Let go of distractions and stay focussed on one shot at a time!

You may be thinking, "Debbie, she's only 18 years old and she doesn't have all of life's stressors that I experience everyday!"  This is true, she is just a teenager but Lydia has other demands in her world; the media, fame, pressure situations to win millions of dollars as she plays and more!  In April 2014, Ko was named as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people, now that's a big responsibility!  In the article, eight-time LPGA Tour Player of the Year Annika Sörenstam said Ko was "exceptionally talented, mature beyond her years and well liked by golf fans and competitors alike. 

Here is the key, once you step onto the first tee, let go of the rest or your life; it will be there when you walk off the last hole.  Nancy Lopez explained that when she stepped inside the ropes her only focus was playing golf.  When she stepped outside the ropes her life of family, children, media and more was there waiting for her.  Learn from the best and stay in the moment!  If you find yourself wandering, just gentle bring yourself back and focus!  Staying fully absorbed in every moment will make a positive influence on your entire life!

Be Positive, Live Positive, Golf Positive

http://golfpositive.com

Golf and the Game of Life

During a fun weekend with my family in Atlantic City, an idea for a new business popped into my head. I literally woke up, saying, “I’ve got it!” I quickly found a pen and a piece of paper and started scribbling, including the name “Golf-Positive” and notes for the chapters of a book.

Something big was bubbling up from all the laughter during that family getaway. Call it the perfect brainstorm: We all started talking about how the book could have one chapter with a golf lesson and the next about a positive mindset. “Golf-Positive, A Guide to Perspective” was one of the ideas for the book’s title.

I shared my favorite new quote with everyone: “An optimist figures that taking a step backward after having taken a step forward is not a disaster. It’s a cha-cha.” One of the chapters could be called “Cha-Cha.” Maybe even “Chi Chi,” a play on the great Chi Chi Rodriguez. More ideas flowed and my list of “things to do” grew ... register the name Golf-Positive, start an LLC, create a logo, design a website (well, hire someone to do that) and build content, write a book proposal, plan a social media strategy. Oh yeah, I can’t forget: Write a business plan. After all, what is Golf-Positive?

Defining “Golf–Positive” and its mission took a bit of time and thought. Golf is taught as a sport for life. It was important to consider the breadth of the game as well as the ideal attitude. Golf is a metaphor for life. The game challenges us with hazards, bunkers, hills, roughs and out of bounds. There are penalties. To play well, we must learn to handle the emotions of the highs of amazing execution and success as well as the lows of missed shots and lost balls. It’s important to “tee” yourself up for success, to think and plan your next move, and then follow through. And of course, you need to keep moving in the direction of your goal. Staying in a good frame of mind makes the entire journey more enjoyable and more successful.

After years of experience and learning, I teach a 4-step plan for success, CORE Triumph! It's a formula that is proven, so I'm thrilled to teach it to anyone who has a goal they want to achieve, on or off the golf course!

Fast forward from that Atlantic City weekend: I have a registered trademark for Golf-Positive, I formed an LLC and bought the domain names golfpositive.com, golf-positive.com, golfpositive.net and golfpositive.org. I hired an amazing motivational speaker to teach me how to make my presentations even better. I have a website and many social media forums! The corporate outings and speaking opportunities keep arising.

Creating the logo did take some time. I described the concept of Golf-Positive to a graphic artist with whom I had worked in the past. I wanted the logo to visually pop with the essence of Golf- Positive. Finally it came to me: Make the “o” in golf a golf ball and have it falling into the hole, which is the “o” in positive! That says it all ... setting your goal, following through and winning.

I can almost hear the sound bottom of the cup.

 I have sat in audiences listening to motivational speakers with this inner voice telling me that I’m supposed to be that person someday. It happened for the first time about 25 years ago, but I knew that I needed to have a success story to share before I could teach others how to succeed. I had to walk the walk before I could talk the talk. Well, this is the moment. Golf-Positive is in full swing!

Live Positive - Be Positive - Golf Positive
golfpositive.com

Remembering Rhonda Glenn: Making Golf History On TV And By The Book

Rhonda Glenn didn’t set out to make golf history. She just wanted the job. 

When she died on Feb. 12 at age 68 after a long fight with cancer, the blitz of news coverage made it clear: Rhonda Glenn would be remembered for much more than her winning ways on the links. In 1981, at the age of 34, she became the first female anchor on ESPN. She also wrote the book on women’s golf: “The Illustrated History of Women’s Golf” (Taylor Trade Publishing: 1991). It won the USGA International Book Award in 1992.( http://www.amazon.com/The-Illustrated-History-Womens-Golf/dp/0878337431 )

 Here’s how Rhonda saw her groundbreaking career on TV, according to ESPN:

( http://www.espnfrontrow.com/2015/02/updated-rhonda-glenn-the-first-female-sportscenter-anchor-passes-away-at-68/ )

 “The fact that I was on what you would call the ‘cutting edge’ really didn’t make an impact on me,” said Glenn, who left ESPN after two years and worked in communications for the United States Golf Association (USGA) since 1996. “It wasn’t something I strived for. I never wanted to be the first, I just wanted the job.”

 My most cherished memory of  Rhonda goes back to the early 1990s, when I met her at a golf tournament where she was the keynote speaker. She truly captured the mood of the moment and inspired the audience. I still remember her warm and generous smile as she signed my copy of her book.

 That extraordinary book came in handy when I was asked to be the master of ceremonies at an LPGA awards dinner. The committee decided that I would talk about the history of women’s golf, beginning with Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587). Oh, how the queen loved to play golf. I turned to Rhonda’s book to get inspiration for my remarks. Fast forward to the event: I’m standing at the podium. As I spoke, bagpipes began to play from a spot just outside the room. The bagpipe players walked into the room just as I completed my last line:

 “The next time you are out on the golf course, look around. Maybe you, too, will hear the sound of bagpipes.”

 It was a very moving moment! I felt such gratitude for all the women who had paved the way for my career in women’s golf, and especially for Rhonda Glenn, for all of her research and writing to put together the inspiring story of the history of women’s golf.

 To repeat, Rhonda was the first female anchor shortly after ESPN launched. She blazed the trail for women to take the microphone and get respect as experts on sports. She went on to become a golf commentator for ABC for 16 years. After she left broadcast news, Rhonda worked for the USGA as manager of their media operations for 17 years.

Rhonda was a close friend of Mickey Wright, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, who turned 80 on Valentine’s Day. Rhonda played a major role in creating the Mickey Wright Room at the USGA Museum in Far Hills, New Jersey. As the story goes, she persuaded Mickey to part with some of her memorabilia for display in the museum.

 The day after Rhonda died, Beth Ann Nichols, the senior writer for GolfWeek, sent out this tribute on Twitter (https://twitter.com/golfweeknichols ):

 @GolfweekNichols – Beth Ann Nichols: "Rhonda was the best interviewer and TV newscaster because she did her homework better than anyone.” – Mickey Wright on Rhonda Glenn  5:11 PM - 13 Feb 2015

 Rhonda’s final work was with golf legend Nancy Lopez as they wrote Nancy’s autobiography. Here is a glimpse from Rhonda’s interview with Nancy in December 2012 ( http://ci-disp.usga.org/articles/2012/12/catching-up-with--nancy-lopez-21474852309.html ):

 “Dressed casually in a white shirt and white shorts, Lopez, 55, glides into her living room, as regal and graceful as when golf writer Gordon White of The New York Times dubbed  her “the Spanish Queen” some 35 years ago.” 

 Rhonda competed in 12 USGA championships, a point noted by Ann Guiderson, executive director of the Colorado Women’s Golf Association, in her online tribute. At the age of 6, Rhonda began playing golf, according to a profile of her by Lisa D. Mickey published in May 2013 by The New York Times. The story’s headline, “Giving Voice to Women’s Game,” recognized Rhonda’s lasting gift to women’s golf with her love of the sport and its history.  ( http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/13/sports/golf/for-rhonda-glenn-a-career-of-giving-a-voice-to-womens-golf.html?_r=0 )

 Rhonda’s smile, as sunny as her native Florida, and her crown of short blonde curls were everywhere again when the sad news broke that she was gone. Writer Andy Hall of ESPNFrontRow brought back Rhonda’s voice with this quote:   

“They say I’ve really been with the USGA for 49 years,” said Glenn, who has written eight books on golf. “I’ve loved the USGA since I played in the girl’s junior in 1963.

“Because of my father and mother I had a great respect for the history of the game so it was just natural,” she said. “It’s like they say, find something you like to do and make a career out of it, and I’ve been very fortunate to be able to do that.”

That’s a lovely lesson from Rhonda’s life: “Find something you like to do and make a career out of it … “ 

So many in the sports world grieved at the news of Rhonda’s passing on Feb. 12. 

 “Today we lost a wonderful passionate person from the game of golf. Rhonda Glenn became even a better friend after working with her for the past 2 years on my autobiography. She was one super lady. I cried many tears today, because we finished my book and she didn't get to see it in print. God bless you Rhonda. You will be missed!” – Nancy Lopez Golf Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-Lopez-Golf/175858369114420 )

 I’m sad that Rhonda’s dance on earth – and her time on the links - were cut way too short. But Rhonda was such a genuine, kind and generous soul. Her amazing talent, combined with her passion for life, people and the game of golf, will live on in our memories.  I will help keep Rhonda’s spirit alive in the game of golf – and the game of life –  by doing my best to represent all of her outstanding qualities through my work for Golf Positive!

It’s tee time, Rhonda. Here’s to you!  

Be Positive - Live Positive - Golf Positive
http://golfpositive.com

A New Round of Golf & Life

January, the first month of the new year!  It's like starting a round of golf!
I'm sure you feel the same as I do when I'm on my way to the golf to play, excited about the possibility of a great round of golf!  You start at even par again ... a clean slate!

How are you doing so far in your new year?  One of my goals for this year is to read more books!  I recently read that Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman and CEO of Facebook, set the same goal for 2015!!  He may not have the "Oprah Effect" on reading, but I'm sure many will follow his book recommendations!!  I'm at even par on my goal as I have finished one book this month.  Now some of you veracious readers may laugh that my plan is to complete only one book per month!  I do enjoy reading, I just haven't made the time for it in the past.  Well, I would read on vacation.  Since I don't vacation every month, I will start to make the time in my daily life!

How are you doing with your 2015 goals?  Maybe you have exceeded your goal and made a "birdie" for the month of Jan.  Congratulations on a fantastic start!!  If you made a bogey or double bogey, meaning to you didn't followthrough with your plan,  it's ok, restart!!

Similar to golf, a bad first hole, doesn't mean you will play a poor round of golf!!  Learn something and then move on!  You get to start over on each hole on the golf course and in life, each new day is an opportunity!

Make it an extraordinary year by continuing to reach for your dreams, both on and off the golf course!

Be positive, live positive, Golf Positive!!
http://golfpositive.com