I spent the day yesterday with Camilo who was getting a lesson from short game guru James Sieckman. In watching the lesson, I began to think about the difference between technical instruction and mental game instruction. Part of the reason that the golf swing has become all the rage in golf is because it is tangible and observable, while the mental game often resides out of sight in the shadowy realm of the mind. With that said, I received an email from a client who successfully made it through second stage of Q-school this past week. The message he sent provides a bridge of sorts so that Fearless Golf Members can see how great thinking actually plays out in competitive golf here at the higher levels of the game. Here is his message:

Dr. Gio,

I wanted to say thank you for all you’ve done the last 3 years. I have improved so much in that time, been through many ups and downs, but it’s amazing to see how far my game has come. You told me the first time we met: “I can’t explain to you the DEPTH of belief needed to play this game”. Every day I start to understand, and gain, that depth more and more. At 2nd Stage this week I believed, like I’ve never believed before, in my game, in my routines, in my game showing through over the 4 days.

I was singularly focused on my routine. Target, deep breath, soft hands, alignment, soft hands. AND deep breath to close out the shot. (I actually take about 3 or 4 while walking to my next shot). I know we don’t chat as much as you do with other players, but despite that, I have put our work, and my mindset at the very forefront of my approach to golf.

Thanks for all you do, and looking forward to what lies ahead, continuing to deepen my belief in myself and my game.

For readers of this Fearless Golf Blog, I’d like to draw your attention to three things in this message: 1) great golf is not only about the “things” that you believe. It is also (maybe even more importantly) about the DEPTH with which you believe the things that you believe. 2) Having a singular focus on a routine is really important. As you’ve seen in the Fearless Golf DVD, that routine has been designed to counteract the variability that takes place around a golfer. More important, the routine is NOT about doing the same things in the same order. More accurately, it is about DOING THE SAME THINGS IN THE SAME ORDER WITH THE SAME RHYTHM AND TENSION. The focus for competitive golfers should typically be 90% process, and 10% results and positioning. 3) Post shot routine (accepting, shutting the routine down) is SOOO important for being free going forward.

Good lessons for all our members from the trenches!

My very best to you all. Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Gio