Therefore, a main goal of mine is to help you understand this concept so that you can achieve your golfing potential. Let me explain the concept.


Playing Your Game: What does it mean?

Essentially, playing your game is an individual concept. It means that you play golf the only way that you know how to play. It is YOUR WAY. It means that you can't play like a Tiger Woods or Charles Howell III, no matter how diligent you work at your game or how many lessons you may take. But it does mean that you can maximize your athletic genius. The truth is, you have special qualities and attributes that are uniquely yours and no one else is quite like you. Your game is as individual as the fingerprints on your hands. Playing your game means that only you can pull off certain shots the way you perceive them. This is because only you can see a shot in your minds-eye, create it, and internally "know" if this shot fits your capabilities at that one, particular moment in time. It means you can only play with what you presently possess. Your golf game is based upon your experience level, style of play, attitude, physical and emotional characteristics, power, touch, and finesse'. You create your golf game and because you have taken the time to train yourself to play in certain way, you must also learn to trust your creation!

A classic example of players who have created their own styles of play based on their personalities and individual strengths can be illustrated with the playing comparison of Fred Funk and Tiger Woods. Another classic match up would be the twosome of Corey Pavin and John Daly. Fred and Corey play their games with accuracy and precision as their main source of strength, while John and Tiger take a more aggressive and powerful approach. And if we take a look at the future of women's golf, how about the physical differences between a Michelle Wie and a Julieta Granada? Michelle is over six feet tall and hits the ball prodigious lengths while Julieta is just a shade over five feet tall but can hit the ball with surprising length and with amazing accuracy.

Each of these tremendous golfers has been blessed with tremendous talent and eye-hand-body coordinated movement. By understanding their strengths and weaknesses, every one of these players has developed a personal style that matches their mental and physical makeup and also created a foundation for trusting his or her ability. This knowledge in turn, helps each of them to play with emotional freedom when they are in competition because they intuitively know that they have worked hard to create their personal playing style. By trusting their instinct and grooming their golfing competencies, allows them to tap into their individual potentials and win championships!

Therefore, playing your game suggests that you are the sole creator of your game. It simply means that when you tee it up with other people, you really don't care about their game, because you are absorbed into doing your own thing and doing it well! It also means that when you are playing with someone else, you cannot control their ball or results, just as they cannot control yours. Learning to "play your own game" can elevate your golf experience to new levels of trust and emotional freedom. You reach these new levels when you do not allow yourself to become confused, distracted or interfered by others.

Ultimately, playing your game means that you discipline yourself to focus only on your game and understand what you can and cannot control. Because only you have control over your thoughts and actions, it becomes crucial to your golfing success to play your game that matches your personality and playing characteristics. The following is a list of six simple tips that will help you develop and play your game to higher levels of effectiveness and trust. If you can commit to adopting these tips into your golf game, you will be surprised at how well your score will improve and how your level of enjoyment will rise!


Tips for Trusting Your Game

1. Develop a rhythm for your golfing day and play to that pace, speed and tempo. Do not feel that you have to speed up or slow down just because others are faster or slower than you. Stay within your pace and personal rhythm.

2. Hit your ball only when you are totally focused and committed to your target.

3. Play with a "focused and decisive mindset" that suggests, "I am focused on playing my shot this way!" Commit to your decision and stick to it!

4. Avoid comparing your game to others. Do not allow yourself to be "talked into" hitting a club or playing a hole in a particular way that is incorrect for you. A large part of becoming a smart golfer is not making stupid or incorrect decisions trying to impress others.

5. Play only those shots that you feel comfortable with and know that you can hit!

6. Accept the fact that you will make mistakes during the round (and you will) and know that you can live with them because you are playing golf in a manner that is right for you!


A Final Word

One of the best ways to improve your level of golf trust is to learn how to play your own game and stay committed to your game plan. Your scoring potential is much more likely to improve if you understand that ultimately it is you who controls your golfing attitude as well as your golf ball! May you always play and trust your game!


Dr. Robert K. Winters
DLGA Sport Psychologist

You can learn more about Dr. Robert K. Winters at www.MindPowerSports.com.

Original content copyright © 2007 Dr. Robert K. Winters & David Leadbetter Golf.