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Important Mental Perspective For The Senior Golfer
Jeff Troesch
One would be hard pressed to find an individual who isn't
feeling an increase in stress and anxiety in these troubled
world times. Both domestically and abroad, news reports continually
speak to societies across the globe exhibiting signs of higher
degrees of uncertainty and instability. In large-scale protests
and in individual conversations, there are many who would
like to "turn back the clock" to the way things were just
a few short years ago. Interestingly, it is especially during
these times of tension that we in America have historically
turned to sport and recreation as a diversion. Whether as
a spectator or as a participant, for many there is something
therapeutic about the environment that these activities can
create to "help us get away from it all". For some, the connection
with golf at this time allows for a single-minded, "in the
moment" experience that frees up that part of the mind that
has been under strain. For others, simply the physical release
of pent-up energy can have attendant calming benefits.
Like so many things in life, it regularly takes a significant
event or events to shake us out of our comfortable world that
we take for granted and help us put things in a more accurate
light. Ask a person who can no longer walk how much they appreciated
being ambulatory. Ask a person who can no longer see how much
they appreciated their sight.
Where I'm going with all of this is to suggest to the Senior
golfers to make a point of deeply appreciating the opportunities
that you have, and to put into perspective some of those things
in golf that you typically allow to upset you. Missing a short
putt, hitting a drive OB and hitting an "easy" shot into a
hazard are much easier to cope with when put in the context
of how fortunate we are to be able to play at all. The level
of frustration, anger, and anxiety that I regularly witness
in golf stems in part from the person's difficulty with putting
his/her experience into context. While acknowledging that
many golfers have trained or practiced hard, there is, at
times, an "over reaction" relative to life's big picture.
I am not suggesting that anger or frustration or worry is
an inappropriate emotion in golf, I'm merely proposing that
these emotions be managed such that the encounter with the
game not be contaminated. How sad to be unfulfilled and/or
dissatisfied doing something that ostensibly has the potential
to bring such joy. For many of you senior golfers, this is
what you've worked hard for your whole life- to finally be
able to enjoy this great game.
Next time you find yourself upset when on the golf course,
catch yourself and reflect upon how important really in the
scheme of life is that with which you are stewing. My suspicion
is that you will enjoy yourself more if you incorporate a
"big picture" outlook in your reactions.
Jeff Troesch, MA, LMHC is an internationally recognized
expert in the mental side of golf. As the former Director
of Sport Psychology for the David Leadbetter Golf Academies,
Jeff has worked with thousands of golfers nationwide and brings
a wealth of experience to seasoned golf professionals as well
as the recreational golf lover. You may contact Jeff directly
through his website, http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.
Article Source: http://www.articlesaz.com
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