Hypnosis for Golf

I introduced you to the concept of hypnosis for golf in the original Mini-course.

Today, I'd like to give you more detail and instruction on how you can use this for your own golf game. For starters, let me just state that I understand that the word "hypnosis" has all sorts of negative attachments. Most folks get their idea of what it is from stage shows. They see people acting like they normally wouldn't and so it is assumed that the hypnotist has some sort of "control" over them.

This couldn't be further from the truth. There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of with a hypnosis session whether you do it for yourself or with help from a professional. 

I recently attended the American Board of Hypnotherapy annual conference. I met and learned from some amazing people who all genuinely have only the best interests for their clients' in mind for everything they do. Integrity and ethics are strongly pushed in all seminars and classes.

Milton Erickson, the father of modern hypnosis says that hypnosis is: "concentrating on your thoughts, values, memories and about life. Hypnosis is enhanced suggestibility and it's most effective through imagery.  The Amazing Kreskin, famous mentalist had a longstanding offer to pay $10,000 to anyone who could prove that there was a trance-like state during hypnosis  and no one ever took him up on it. The point in bringing that up is to assure you that there is absolutely nothing to be fearful of from hypnosis.

Ok, enough with that. Let's get on with how this study can help your game.

What I really learned from some very sharp, experienced hypnotherapists is that it isn't always even necessary to induce a relaxed state in order to effect change. What we want to accomplish for golf, off the course, is to find ways to go inside (I mean to go inside our mind with our thoughts). This causes our critical thinking faculty to release it's grip on filtering out things that we want to become part of our way of thinking to grow or improve as a human being.

I'd like you to do an exercise that I know you will benefit from. Read the following questions and pause and think a little between each of them. Read them slowly, one at a time, take your time and let your mind ruminate on the possiblities for your game. Let yourself  "go inside."

In between each question, stare at the spot below or a spot on the wall or close your eyes if you like. Imagine a person you like or admire is reading these questions to you in a pleasing, slow voice. The human voice is a powerful thing.

How is my golf game, now?                              

Why do I like golf so much?

Why do I really want to improve?

I know I possess the ability to reach my scoring goal, don't I?

Where will I find what I need inside myself to score well on my next round?  

Do I really want to score lower or do I just want to look good out on the course?

Is it possible that I could gain full control over my emotional states?

Milton Erickson, considered the father of hypnosis and credited with getting the American Medical Association to accept it was famous for helping folks without ever using any props or music or relaxation techniques. He would just tell stories and ask questions You can do this for yourself. When you read a golf article or book, let yourself go "inside" and relate what you are learning to yourself. You see, the object of the game here is to let the information sink down into your unconscious and then come back out when you play. Don't try to analyze everything (that's what I used to do). Just let it go in if you know it's good.

Begin to develop your whole brain by taking in golf information this way. Whether it's from reading or listening to my CD's, or just watching a good golfer on T.V. or at the course.

Many of us, especially men, are very left-brain oriented. That is, logical, rational etc. When we bring in our weaker hemishpere of our brain, more information gets integrated and is retrieved easier later. This is some of what hypnosis is all about. I'll give you more next time.

Keep thinking...and using your whole mind...to allow your strengths to emerge...and manifest on the course.....what you know to be true....about you....

Greens and fairways,

Craig 

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Do you still really think that the only way to get better at this game is to take lessons and then practice until your hands bleed? Does that work? Sometimes for some people. At the beginner level, yes, you need to get the basics down and develop a decent swing. But what of all those millions of golfers around the world that have a decent swing...that have taken lessons...that have had plenty of great shots before.

Why can't you put together 18 holes of good golf if you can put together 3 or 4?....You can!

Now, go with me here a minute...you've produced a great shot before with a given club right? So you know that the problem is not with your body unless the body has significantly changed since you had that shot right?

So if that's not the problem, what is? I don't think I have to tell you. I think your clubs know the answer since they don't change from shot to shot. As I write this and you read this, I am reminded of a friend who recounted to me about a story that Jack Nicklaus dad used to tell about young Jack. It seems that Jack never did think he had the best or prettiest swing on the tour. And, he didn't think he had the most talent. He just KNEW he was going to make a putt...or a perfect swing...or win the tournament.

Would you like to get some of that? Break 80 Without Practice