Just like our ‘favorite’ oak tree guarding the par 3 (you know the one), our mentally sabotaging origins can be traced back to one deep seeded affliction: FORGETFULNESS (avidya in Sanskrit). It’s also translated as “not seeing, non-wisdom, and/or ignorance.” Avidya is the basic thing we do when we forget who we really are. . .our unlimited potential over […]
Standing over those nerve rattling 3 footers can often do more harm than good. When reading the green, don’t over think the line. Usually our first ‘instinct’ is the correct line and then we talk ourselves out of the right choice. Also, spending less time over the ball means less time for doubt and tension […]
Listed as one of the five afflictions of the human condition in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Egoism (Sanskrit: asmita) can destroy our golf experience. The Ego’s attachment to a golf score and it’s influence on personal worthiness can bring our progress to a screeching halt. We’ve all been there. . . Consoling playing partners will mercifully utter after a bad […]
When attempting to hit over a bunker, new golfers will often try and ‘scoop’ or ‘lift’ the ball in the air. Contemplate the opposite! Golf throws us yet another paradox: TO MAKE THE BALL GO UP, HIT DOWN. Use your most lofted club and smoothly hit down at the back of the ball (then brush the […]
(This is the fifth of a five part series inspired by yoga’s systemization of inner wisdom and the ‘Qualities of Mind’) “In yoga (and golf) we are simply trying to create the conditions in which the mind becomes as useful as possible for our actions.” –T.K.V. Desikachar Like the calm eye of a hurricane, as mindful golfers we can […]
Obvious, but often over looked, is the importance of a sharp short game. Flubbed approach shots, bad bounces and missed fairways are unavoidable because of the complicated motion of the full swing. No one is immune. . .(even the best golfers in the world). How do we survive the inevitable? With a SKILLFUL SHORT GAME THAT MAKES UP FOR […]
Still rushing to the first tee? Commit to taking 3 deep breaths while the other golfers hit. Notice how it changes your tempo for the first swing of the round. . . Dodie Mazzuca is the founder of Golf PROformance and teaches golf and mindset programs in Santa Cruz, CA.
The purpose of a warm up routine is to get the body loose and to build confidence. This is NOT the time to be in ‘search and rescue‘ mode orto be tinkering with our golf swings (save that for a practice session specifically dedicated to focusing on technical skills.). Each individual golfer should develop their […]