This column will address the second “P”, preparing for the future.

One of the great mental challenges when on the golf course is to keep your mind in the task at hand or “process”. Most players are constantly thinking in terms of results, outcomes, or consequences. One example of this would be exemplified by thinking about a birdie opportunity rather than the process of executing a solid four-foot putt. While still performing, the thoughts of winning and succeeding can actually inhibit performance for most people. The model below shows some of the degrees of thinking on the task vs. consequence scale:

TASK...................................BEST

SHOT OUTCOME / RESULT

HOLE OUTCOME / RESULT

ROUND OUTCOME / RESULT

TOURNAMENT OUTCOME / RESULT

CONSEQUENCES OF TOURNAMENT OUTCOME

AVOIDING NEGATIVE TOURNAMENT OUTCOME CONSEQUENCES.............................WORST

Referring to the previous example, rather than thoughts of the task and outcome of the shot, the thoughts could deteriorate even further. “If I make this birdie, I go to two under par. (Hole result) If I can just make par from there I’ll shoot 70. (Round result) That’ll be good enough to put me in the Top 10 going into tomorrow. (Tournament outcome/result) If I finish in the Top 25, I’m automatically entered into next week’s event. (Consequences of tournament outcome) Don’t mess up this opportunity to play again next week.” (Avoiding negative tournament outcome consequences)

This type of thinking is extremely typical of the average-thinking player at all levels. The putt may be made, in spite of poorthinking. However, the player that recognizes this type of thinking while it’s happening and puts himself back in the process- (“Of course I’d like to play next week, but let’s focus here on rolling a good putt toward the right edge”)- is the one who will more consistently execute in competition over time.

Staying in the process is extremely challenging for most players at every level, as the tendency to think and speak in terms of results is part of the paradigm of the game. Pre-round discussions are rife with consequence and outcome questions, such as “What do you think you’ll have to shoot to make the cut?” or “What was the number that won last year’s event?” Examples of the first questions generally asked of a player in their post-round “analysis” from others are: “What did you shoot?” “Where did you finish?” “How many birdies did you make?” These questions are not bad or wrong, but are used for illustrative purposes to help you understand that the emphasis placed on outcome by others is very difficult to overcome.

When interviewed after victories, you will regularly hear players talking about how they stayed in the process of hitting each shot as well as possible, and that they didn’t worry too much about other people, how others were playing, or what number they’d have to shoot. This is process-orientation at it’s best, and is a skill every player would be well to develop.

The above column was reprinted with permission from the e-book “Fitness Secrets of Championship Golfers”. Jeff Troesch and Susan Hill contributed several chapters to this 212 page e-book, along with Kai Fusser (Annika Sorenstam’s trainer) and several other well-known experts on the physical, mental, and technical aspects of golf training. This e-book can be purchased on- line at www.golffitnessexperts.com.