D.P.Q.: Developing Positive Qualities
| “Through the cultivation of positive qualities, the mind becomes untroubled, serene, and capable of one-pointed concentration” -Dyanand Diffenbaugh When the ego is out of control on the links, the mind’s inclination is toward negativity. We start to look for excuses, blaming other golfers and external factors for our bad shots. The ego proclaims, “It’s too windy, the course conditions are terrible, the pace of play is too slow!” We also become self-critical, telling ourselves, “Don’t hit it in the canyon, don’t miss the putt, you will look like a fool…you suck!” This same “voice in our head,” the ego, can be trained to focus on neutral and positive elements of the golf experience. Similar to how we educate a caddy as to what to say, act, and be with us on the course, we practice improving the quality of our self-talk. It’s as essential as improving the technical elements of our swing. We must train our “I-maker,” the inner caddy, to be helpful. State it positively: “Stay centered” versus “Don’t sway.” 100% Commitment: Eliminate doubt by authentically believing in your ability to make the shot (sometimes we have to “fake it until we become it”). Keep it simple: My target is ABC and I’m committing to XYZ. Then GO! As Dyanad Diffenbaugh states, “Through the cultivation of positive qualities, the mind becomes untroubled, serene, and capable of one-pointed concentration.” This is the ideal mindset for all golf shots. Developing positive qualities (D.P.Q.) allows us to access our unlimited potential. The ego has landed… |
Dodie Mazzuca is the author of “Golf Sūtras,” “Daily Golf Tap-Ins,” and founder of Golf PROformance. She teaches golf lessons, golf schools, and performance coaching for competitive players in Santa Cruz, CA and Reno, NV.