Where Are All the Jerks and Losers?
Day 5 from “Mental Rules for Golf” by Dr. Gregg Steinberg
The Golf Book Club: Every day, we share a mental game lesson inspired by great golf books—stories and strategies to help you think better so you can play better.
If you have a negative framework, then negativity on the golf course is all you see.
Dr. Steinberg shares an amusing story.
A five-year-old girl is riding in the car with her mom. The girl asks, “Where are all the jerks and losers today?” Her mom says, “They’re only on the road when your dad is driving.”
That’s a funny story but it has a serious moral: Our perceptions regulate our reality.
Dr. Steinberg writes, “If you have a negative framework, then negativity on the golf course is all you see. If you perceive the other players as having more talent, then intimidation is felt. If your focus is on all the trouble on a hole, anxiety levels will rise.”
A negative attitude can do more than spoil a round. It can stop a dream from coming true.
Mental Blocks.
In the 1930s, Harry Cooper was one of best golfers in the world. He was called Lighthorse Cooper because he played so fast and with such confidence.
Cooper won 30 tournaments, came in second 37 times, scored 205 top-10 finishes, and was the first golfer to win the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average.
He was that good.
But to this day, Cooper remains the winningest American golfer to never win a major. He came in second twice at the Masters and twice at the US Open.
But he never fulfilled that dream.
When asked why, he admitted that he had a mental block when it came to majors. He said, “I just couldn’t see myself in the winner’s circle.”
Optimize Your Performance.
A negative framework can limit our shots, our rounds, and our dreams.
Dr. Steinberg writes, “On the other hand, a golfer with a positive perspective entices positive events. For example, if you see only the flagstick rather than all the trouble that lurks around the hole, you’ll be more relaxed and optimize your performance.”
Remember the story about the little girl in the car with her mom? The moral on the golf course is the same: our perceptions regulate our reality.
Football coach Tony Dungy said, “Be positive. Your mind is more powerful than you think. What is down in the well comes up in the bucket.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, perspective begins with self-talk. They suggest following a simple rule: Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to a good friend.
Or you can simply choose positivity like the Norwegians. Winter lasts six months in Norway yet they are a nation of outdoor enthusiasts.
They have a saying, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”
As Dr. Steinberg says, “If you believe there are only good days on the golf course, then you are bound to always have a great round, regardless of your score.”
That’s all for now. Tomorrow, we’ll learn that, sometimes, denial can be a golfer’s best friend.
Until then, keep imagining what’s possible.
Today’s Photo
Hamilton Island Golf Club Island in Queensland
