ANGER!
This is the first of a series looking at INTERFERENCE (emotions and mental states that hinder peak performance).
Anger. Plain and simple. It makes you stupid. You can’t think clearly, you hit shots you shouldn’t be hitting and more importantly, you are not enjoying golf.
(Un)Luckily, anger has been around for awhile. Anger, according to the ancient sage Patanjali (and the Bhagavad Gita) is “a desire thwarted.” (You are either not getting what you want, or you are getting something that you don’t want.)
For example: The foursome ahead of you is playing slowly.
You have 3 options:
- Fulfill the desire. (Make the group ahead of you play faster).
- Let go of the desire. (Have something better to do while you wait, like looking at the scenery or enjoy your playing partner’s company).
- Stay angry.
It becomes very simple once you identify the emotion that is causing the interference. Then you can choose to use your tools (the 3 options above) to do something about it, or simply stay angry. The choice is yours.
More to come on interference. . .
Dodie Mazzuca is the Director of Instruction at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, AZ (November – April). She also teaches golf in Santa Cruz, CA (May-October).