The word “mind”, is any thought conscious or subconscious.

“Power” means strength or having strength.

So Mind Power is having a strong thought. For our purpose in golf (and life for that matter) I am talking about your strong subconscious thoughts.

When most students came to me to take a golf lesson they already had a preconceived notion of what they wanted to learn. We would spend the first ten minutes (five if I cut them off) of the lesson discussing what they thought I should teach them. I often thought to myself, “Why do they think they need me if they already know all the answers?” Of course in reality they usually weren’t close to knowing what the needed to improve their golf. I guess that’s human nature to want to assist the learning process.

Over-instructed and over-technical!

Many students of the game have either taken too many lessons (from different instructors), watched the golf channel to learn and apply literally everything they could, or read too many golf instruction (swing) articles. Then they bring the new knowledge to the course the next day to “try” to implement it. It may work for a day, but won’t work for good unless it is ingrained for 21 days or more.

Golfers need less technical instruction on the range, more mind power programming, and to just play! I gave most of my students lessons on the golf course. That is where the game is played. Of course beginners need the fundamentals, and instruction needs to given on the range and especially short game area, but please get out and play! I heard a Ben Hogan quote years ago that always stuck with me. When he was asked what was his secret to success? His comment was, “You’ve got to dig it out of the ground”. Meaning, get out there and figure it out. I am not saying to spend every waking hour trying to find your game on your own. I believe what Hogan was saying, was what Mind Power really comes down to. Get the information, apply it, work at it so you own it, then believe it and just do it! Your conscious thought (the analyzer) MUST quiet down at some point in order to play “in the zone”. Playing in the zone or on automatic pilot is when your subconscious mind takes over and frees you to get out of your own way!

When you own a thought, it’s yours (good or bad)! You can always change your mind later. When it comes to playing golf, in that moment of impact, you better believe “you can” or you wont! The minute you change your mind, you change your actions. The Law of Attraction states, “what you think about, you bring about”.

Have you ever hit a 75 yard shot over water that somehow found the water instead of the green? “Now how did that happen?”, you said after the fact. What do you think your thought was? If it was anything but “hit the target”, you were doomed.

The subconscious mind does not judge your thoughts.

Whatever your thought was before you hit the shot you tend to believe. If the last time you missed a two foot putt you told yourself your an idiot, the next time you have a two-footer, your subconscious mind will remind you that your an idiot… kind of like an obnoxious parrot! “You’re and idiot, you’re an idiot, raahh… you missed this putt last time, you’ll miss it again, raahh!”

Be your own best cheerleader!
What would you tell your buddy if he or she missed a two foot putt? “That’s okay, you put a good roll on it” or “Wow, I thought you had that one!” Guess what? That’s the voice you need to give yourself when you miss a shot. Remember, your subconscious will respond accordingly to what you say and think. “Yeh, I did put a good roll on that”, or “hmmm, that felt like a great putt… oh well”. And next time you have that same putt, you now have a chance to make it!

Learn more about how to control your own golf mind power, by controlling your thoughts, feelings and emotions on the inside!

“In body, mind power and spirit”
Randy

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