Developing a positive mindset to impress

By Dr. Jean Harris

Contributor

I recently returned from a weekend at the Solheim Cup and spent some quality time with my LPGA friend Debbie O’Connell.  She has organized golf tours to Solheim Cups for 20 years.  She is the most energetic and positive person I know.

  O’Connell wrote a book called “Golf Positive! Live Positive!” that I recommend to my students.  Throughout the book, O’Connell gives tips on how to succeed on the golf course and how living with a positive attitude will affect not only your golf game, but also your life in general.

I have a lot of golf students who need to have a more positive attitude when they practice and play golf.  When they hit a poor shot, they usually say something negative. Instead, to get better at golf, you need to ask yourself, “what do I need to do to become better?”

It is important to be very specific with your goals. Your goals need to be stated in a positive way.  When you say, “I can’t make good contact with irons,” instead, you need to say, “what can I do to make better contact?”

How you talk to yourself on the golf course is so important.  You must talk to yourself like a coach and friend.  The language you use is critical.  When approaching a difficult shot, possibly in a bunker, you need to think of it as a challenge.  Say to yourself, “this is an opportunity to work on my bunker game.”

It is important to surround yourself with positive people.  They can handle stress, challenges and adversity. They know how to have fun and golf positive.

Being around negative people, especially on a golf course, creates frustration and stress. Negative people bring you down.  If you are playing with people who complain about the course, the weather and pace of play, you will play poorer golf.

Finally, your body language is essential.  Always walk to your golf ball with your chin up, shoulders back and chest up. When walking, your arms need to be at your sides swinging and not across your chest.  As you walk to your ball, think about happy times, previously great shots and make sure you smile before you swing the club.

If you want to read O’Connell’s book, “Golf Positive! Live Positive!,” you can find it on Amazon.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional at Pinecrest Golf Club. Jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com