How to get patience...part 2

Dr. Tom Kubistant, CSP

PERSPECTIVES ON PATIENCE
     Now, please answer this question for yourself:  what does patience involve during a round?  As each player has a unique formula for performing, this includes unique perspectives on patience.  Go ahead, answer the question!  The more specific you can become in defining the components of your patience the better you will be able in tapping into them. 

     Understand that golfing patience has two dimensions to it:  big-picture PERSPECTIVES and specific playing TACTICS.  Let's first look at the perspectives. Wise golfers approach each round accepting there will be ebbs and flows to it.  No round is ever completely performed at a smooth high level.  Accept ahead of time the fact that you will hit some bad shots.  There will always be challenges, low points, and even crises.  The best performers prepare themselves to be patient.  

     One of the top teaching pros in my area, Jim Kepler, encapsulated one of the best playing approaches I ever heard.  Jim said, "In every round there is a twenty minute period when your game leaves you.  The key is to anticipate it so when it happens you can remain patient." Just as every round is unique, this low period usually emerges at different times.  Accept this fact so when it comes you can immediately retain your perspectives of being patient.  As Mark O'Meara advised, "Patience...and more patience."

     Even though Michael Murphy's Golf In The Kingdom has been out since 1972, I think he summarized this perspective best when he wrote, "Wait 'em oot'  They will pass."  When you are in the midst of one of these natural ebbs, wait them out.  Believe they will pass, trust yourself, and focus on what you can control right here and right now. 

  Next, you should be eager to play each round, but keep your emotions in check.  No matter your personality, a part of your preparation is to remain calm.  No Tiger fist pumping!  Learn to employ your own form of relaxing, both before and during the round.  I have been studying the psychology of golf for almost thirty years and one thing is increasingly clear to me:  deep and consistent golf performances emanate from remaining calm.  

     You see, it is almost as if The Game tempts us to release emotions.  We catch glimpses of how utterly simple it can be so that we expect everything to be easy, pure, natural, and wonderful.  And then...whamo!  As soon as we open up our emotions of being giddy or greedy, The Game dumps on us.  These good feelings are quickly transformed into frustration, anger, or even despair. 

     The perspective of patience is the way to stay calm  No, you need not be an unemotional robot, just keep your emotions in check.  When you think about it, there is absolutely nothing to be gained for future shot performances by being emotional--either positively or negatively.  Staying calm is intrinsically linked to staying within yourself and staying focused.   

     Here is the payoff.  As you develop the power of patience in remaining calm you will immerse into the magical state of serenity.  Even in the midst of pressure and challenges, you can remain comfortable and in control.  Few remember that back in the early 1970s Johnny Miller experienced a streak of high level performances few have ever matched.  Reflecting on that period he stated, "Serenity is knowing that even your worst shot will turn out all right."

     Here is an interesting perspective on patience.  Most of us need patience when things are not going well or to keep things in check.  What few golfers realize is that they also need patience when the round is going well.  When you are on top of the round you still need to maintain the reigns on your efforts.  Remind yourself to keep on doing the things that brought you to this point.  Don't play defensively, but don't become greedy.

     Patience is especially needed when finishing off a round.  When we are scoring well there is a temptation to eagerly rush through the last couple of holes.  Take your time finishing off a round.  Learn to actually enjoy the sublime tension of playing well while concluding the round.

     Developing these perspectives of patience away from the course will provide you with the structure of what to emphasize during actual rounds.....continued 

Dr. Tom Kubistant, Master of the Intrinsic, is one of the leading speakers, researches, and coaches of the mental and scoring games.  He is one of the pioneers in sports psychology working with Olympic, Professional and Amateur athletes since 1973. Since 1984, he has worked exclusively with golfers ranging from tour pros to average weekend golfers. Over the last fifteen years, Tom has been THE most prolific writer on the psychology of golf with three books and over 275 articles and he maintains (and has read) the entire "Bibliography On The Psychology Of Golf;" everything ever written and recorded on the mental game. He trains other sports psychologists and mental coaches and is widely known as the leading authority on all forms of THE YIPS

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