Can Golf Make You Crazy?

"If you want better results in life, then don't keep doing the same things in the same way!" ...

Author Unknown

This now famous quote ... sometimes referred to as the "definition of insanity" ... relates just as directly to our desire to play better golf as it is does for any other area of life. It's so true! If you have one or more specific areas of your game that you'd like to improve, then you need to do certain things - successful actions - in a certain way!

But, if you don't change anything about your normal approach to your game, then better play is really only 'wishful thinking'. And, over time, expecting different performance results with continued inconsistency on the course creates tremendous frustration and could eventually drive you 'crazy'!

So, if you want to end the 'madness' and ultimately avoid being restrained in a straight jacket and dragged, kicking and screaming, off the golf course by people wearing white coats, then I strongly suggest you consider doing these 5 critical steps to improve your game:

1) Think about what you really want to improve about your game and make a committed decision to accomplish your goal ... including a specific deadline for achieving it.

2) Write out your goal and deadline on a 3 x 5 note card starting out with something like, 'I'm so happy and grateful, now that I ..." and read your goal out loud at least three times every day.

3) Establish your integrated support team of golf-specific performance specialists including a professional golf instructor, mental coach, fitness trainer, and club-fitting expert who can evaluate your individual needs in each area of performance according to your goal structure and establish a customized plan for success.

4) Follow your customized plan ... exactly!

5) Document your results and report them to your support team.

If you do these 5 steps, you're game is sure to improve and golf will never make you crazy! In fact, your golf experience will be nothing less than extraordinary with feelings of fun, enjoyment and a true sense of accomplishment about your game ... for a lifetime!

"Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you're ready or not, to put this plan into action."

-- Napolean Hill, Motivational Writer

The 'Formula' for Success

Success as a golfer can seem so fleeting. Just when you think you've got your swing figured out and your game is finally improving, then 'poof'... just like being awakened from a wonderful dream before you're ready ... all the 'magic' can be gone!

However, there is really a very simple formula for success that, once understood and applied, will make your golf performance much less allusive and will help you achieve whatever golf goal that you desire - guaranteed!

And, the 'formula' goes like this ... I + M = R
('I' = Intention, 'M' = Mechanism, and 'R' = Result)

Simply stated, for you to achieve your 'ideal scene' golf performance RESULT, you must have a strong INTENTION (a burning desire and commitment to achieve your goal) combined with an effective MECHANISM (a proven strategy for successfully completing your specific objective).

However, as much attention as is commonly placed on the 'mechanism' for playing great golf, relatively speaking, between 'intention' and 'mechanism', your 'intention' is the only thing that really matters when it comes to successfully achieving your golf performance 'result'.

What do I mean by this? Clearly, there are many, in fact, infinite possible pathways and approaches for successfully becoming a good golfer. True, some may be simpler, more direct, and more time or cost efficient than others. But, even if you are shown the exact approach that Tiger Woods used to became the most successful golfer in the world, if your 'intention' ... your 'core desire'... to be the best golfer in the world is weak or absent, then you will never attain that 'result' - not even close!

The obstacles, challenges and road blocks to any worthy endeavor will inevitably dilute and disuade the 'weak' at heart. Playing high-level golf has many elements to consider. Therefore, only the strongest, most commited individuals will persist ... regardless of the obstacles and appearent failures ... until success is ultimately achieved. The emotional drive, the personal commitment, the sense of moral purpose and/or even duty toward a goal is really all that matters - it is everything when it comes to success in golf, and in life!

Every great accomplishment in golf started and ended with a dream and a great vision. 'The way' will always become clear after the decision for what is wanted. That is why you never need to worry about 'how' to accomplish what you want in golf until you first have figured out 'what' you want. It always follows that natural progression. It is the 'formula' for success!

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do."

-- Amelia Earhart, aviator