(This is Part 3 of a response to one of my students. – In case you missed it, please read my last two weeks tips: Golf Tips for Jeff – Part 1 and Part 2)

Response: Part 3

One last thing. As a teacher, I see this reverting to old habits all of the time. I worked with a fellow one day and in fifteen minutes had added thirty yards to his drives and had his “banana slice” turned into a soft draw. He was really excited. But, two weeks later I saw him on the practice range and he had reverted to all of his old habits. When I asked him what had happened he said, “I hit a couple of bad shots. I just feel more comfortable this way, I guess.”
So, the moral seems to be, it is hard to leave our comfort zone – even when it doesn’t work. (It’s like a bad habit, we know it’s wrong, but we’re used to it – so it has become part of our “comfort zone”.)

Fortunately, you are not like this!!! I can tell from your emails.

How are you doing at the practice range? Next time you are there, purposely put yourself under pressure. Pretend that your next shot will determine the outcome of your day – it just has to be perfect and there are 100 people watching you including your worst enemy and he/she is routing for you to lose. Do this over and over! Really congratulate yourself when you succeed. The more that you practice this way, the more you will learn to relax when bad thing happen.

Keep up the good work and just TRUST yourself. (It’s really hard to do at first, but keep trying and you will master it.)

You are not a head case – just frustrated. (Believe me, I’ve been there – it’s what we do about it that makes all the difference.)

All my best.

Bob

P.S. Don’t Miss Next Weeks Tip: Getting Out of the Sand