Using TIG routines during your round can prove to be tremendously beneficial to lowering your handicap.

Although some clients initially feel a little self conscious about it, most are soon tapping away proudly. Often times, those who do what I refer to as "Stealth TIG" are doing so not out of embarrassment, but rather to conceal their secret weapon.

It doesnt matter if you are a TIG extrovert, or more on the subtle side - just do it! The next three chapters will show you how to use TIG out on the links. But first, lets investigate some dirty little demons called "NOTs". Negative Operating Thoughts (NOTS)

The vast majority of all self help techniques and philosophies are based on the following principle: "Your consistent thoughts become your reality." Now stop and read that sentence again. It really is that important. Let it sink in.

Most people walk around the course (and life) with a constant barrage of Negative Operating Thoughts (NOTs) attacking their selt confidence and eroding their self esteem, and with it their ultimate potential.

These NOTs can be insidious and rather relentless.

The Tap in Golf System provides you with a tool to successfully "neutralize" or "clear" these NOTs. You will be hard pressed to find another technique that is so simple and so effective for this "mother-of-all-problems".

However, the real dilemma is that we are so conditioned to the presence of these NOTs, that we hardly even notice them. For example, have you ever said or thought to yourself any of the following NOTs?

"Damn, how could I miss that putt? I always choke."

"Im no good at this distance."

"Why cant I just ____"

"Clear the water for once this time, pleasel"

"Come on, just follow through!"

"Why cant I just get this right?" Etc, etc, etc.

Think of it this way; suppose you hired a coach to help you improve your golf performance. What would you do if s/he spoke to you in this fashion? I sincerely hope you would fire their ass faster that you can say double bogie!

It is usually painfully obvious when someone else is saying this kind of garbage to us. Then why are we so willing to beat ourselves up and accept the internal abuse?

We all have what I call an "Inner Critic".

One reason we listen to this Inner Critic is that we believe somehow it is trying to help us. We are under the delusion that such "advice" will actually "whip us into shape" and assist us in playing better golf.

Let me be very clear about this: The inner critic, the voice of your NOTs, is NOT on your side. It has absolutely nothing to offer you - Except evidence of what needs to be cleared with your TIG techniques.

The inner critic does not want you to succeed. Is that clear?!

 If your goal is to play to your maximum potential (which I ll assume it is, if you ve read this far), then you must quiet your inner critic and the NOTs that it spews forth. The Tap In Golf System provides you with a simple way to do just that.

How to identify your NOTs:

During my one-on-one playing lessons, I will have my clients literally "think out loud."

The idea is to get them to actually hear the stuff that is going on inside their heads.  After a bit of practice, most clients become quite proficient at immediately speaking whatever thoughts come to mind.

The result- they are usually horrified at the internal self abuse and "negative framing" of their golf ability and chances of success.

Once a NOT has been identified, simply clear it with the TIG routine.