I figure this is an appropriate opportunity to discuss fear on the golf course.
Steven Yellin recently outlined five origins of fear in a Facebook post:
1. Fear of failure
2. Fear of success
3. Not worthy
4. Not comfortable in one's own skin
5. Playing for someone else
I hope to convince you that fear on the golf course is a result of a golfer operating in the wrong tense. To argue this point, let's look the root of each type of fear mentioned by Mr. Yellin:
1. Fear of failure is an indication that a golfer is not present because the golfer is considering the implications of something yet to occur.
FUTURE TENSE ≠ PRESENT TENSE
What if I yip this chip? What if I hit this driver OB? What if I miss this 3 footer? What if I miss the cut?
2. Fear of success is an indication that a golfer is not present because the golfer is considering the implications of something yet to occur.
FUTURE TENSE ≠ PRESENT TENSE
What will happen if I shoot another 36 on the back nine and shoot my lowest score ever?
3. A feeling of not being worthy is an indication that a golfer is not present because the golfer is assuming past results produce future results.
PAST TENSE + FUTURE TENSE ≠ PRESENT TENSE
I'm not playing well enough to make the cut in my next event.
4. A feeling of discomfort in one's own skin is an indication that a golfer is not present because the golfer is allowing noise from the past and future corrupt the silence of each passing moment. The golfer is assuming that they could be, or should be someone/something different than they are.
PAST TENSE + FUTURE TENSE ≠ PRESENT TENSE
I need to learn to hit the ball further in order to win, I need to start hitting more draws to be able to compete.
5. Playing for someone else is an indication that a golfer is not present because the golfer is again "outcome oriented", considering the implications of something that has yet to occur.
FUTURE TENSE ≠ PRESENT TENSE
The common theme in each origin of fear is that the golfer is not present.
What on earth does that mean?
The golfer's intent for each shot is muddied by a feedback loop caused by things that have already happened corrupting things that are yet to occur.
The fearful golfer can be visualized as a microphone humming in front of a speaker.
So what are fearful golfers to do about this feedback loop?
Do what musicians do. Step out of the way of the speakers so the sound from what you just played doesn't interfere with the sound of what you are about to play.
In other words, make it your sole mission that your intent for each golf shot will be totally pure, untarnished by feedback from past or future results.
Do it for the sake of doing it, the results will follow.
Making an uncommitted golf swing in hopes of a good result is like screeching into a microphone in hopes that it will sound like John Mayer when it comes out of the speaker. Technology helps, but auto-tune can only do so much.
Like a speaker to a microphone, your golf shot is downstream from your intent for so if your goal is a good output, you'd better be certain your input is crystal clear, pure, PRESENT.
Want to learn how to be present? Come take a lesson with me at The Marsh Lane Golf Center in Carrollton, TX. The Holiday Season is a great time to get your loved ones a lesson package! Message me for rates!
Thanks!
Clay
