Jack’s Pep Talk Method

Day 6 on “One for the Ages” by Tom Clavin

“He doesn’t want any negative thoughts.”

Jack began the back 9 with two confidence-building birdies. Then he came to the confidence-crushing 12th.

Before the tournament, a reporter asked, “Which shot on the back 9 is the toughest?”

Seve Ballesteros said, “The shot at 12, especially when the wind is blowing. If you miss, it's a double bogey.”

Tom Watson agreed. He said, “It’s an innocent little hole until you’ve got to play it, especially in the final round. There’s no room for error.”

When the reporter asked Jack, he smiled and refused to answer.

He said, “I don't want to be standing over a shot, thinking that I’ve said this was the toughest shot on the back nine.”

Later, the reporter wrote, “Maybe that’s why the Golden Bear won the Masters five times. He doesn’t want any negative thoughts in his subconscious at a critical moment.”

Now he was three down.

But sometimes the negatives find you.

Jack aimed a 7-iron at the wide area left of the pin. He made a good swing, but a gust of wind kicked up and carried the ball over the green, onto the fringe, 60 feet from the hole.

He hit a good chip. But the ball took a bad bounce to the left and rolled about 7 feet from the hole.

He made a good stroke. But a subtle spike mark nudged the putt offline. The ball brushed the right edge of the cup.

Jack was so frustrated, he stamped the spike mark flat with his putter, then tapped in for bogey.

He had been two shots behind Seve. Now he was three down with only five holes to play.

“Here we go.”

Let’s review what happened on 12.

First, a gust of wind pushed Jack into trouble. Then a bad bounce carried him away from the hole. Finally, a spike mark tilted the ball out of the cup.

How did Jack respond?

He released his frustration, then gave himself a pep talk in the third person. He said:

“Come on, Jack. Don’t become defensive. The only way you’re going to win this thing is by being aggressive. Go for it, fella.”

And he did. He birdied 13 and saved par on 14. When he eagled 15, an unprecedented cheer shook Augusta.

Jack laughed, turned to his son and said, “Here we go.”

The entrepreneur Constance Burrell said, “When life gives you crap, use it as fertilizer for your garden ”

Earlier this week, we learned how Jack let the negative go. But sometimes, letting go is not enough. You have to convert negative into positive.

Studies show that giving yourself a pep talk in the third person can help. According to psychologists, using the words “I” and “me” gets emotional. But when you use your name, it’s like you’re talking to a friend.

Give it a try. Like Jack, you may find that a third-person pep talk creates the perspective you need to get back on track and play your best.

That’s all for now. Until next time, keep imagining what’s possible.

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