You Can Never Return To Form!

Kenny Perry had nine career wins under his belt by 2005 but going into May of 2008 he hadn’t won in 24 months. Then quite suddenly he won three tournaments. Good for him, but what caused his renewed success? Some would say that Perry simply recaptured his old magic but winners never really return to form. They move forward. Golf fans will recall that captain Paul Azinger stated that he only wanted winners on his Ryder Cup team. Being high in the points rankings but without a recent win Perry set new goals in 2008 and achieved a new milestone in his career. Viewing those victories as unique is like viewing the 1000th mountain you climb as unique whether it be because of slope, height or conditions. Seeing differences prevents us from falling into a state of complacency because every challenge becomes a first time event rather than a repeat performance. I explained this concept recently to a golfer I’ve been coaching who said he always tries to keep moving forward. Then about a week later he told me he was trying to get his old putting stroke back. You’ve likely said similar things about your own driving, chipping or putting. What this golfer didn’t realize was that trying to recapture a previous form hinders progress. Every golf game is a new experience for your evolving body and mind so your physical performance must evolve with it if you are going to stay fresh. Also, trying to recapture your old form can be destructive because as soon as thoughts of past performance enter your mind you are no longer in the present. If you want to be in the present you can borrow images of previous successful shots but you have to play each shot now with the present challenges in mind instead of past glories. If you do you will have many more successes to look forward to and they’ll be as exhilarating as climbing a new mountain peak for the first time. Bob Skura is the author of the award-winning book, How Great Golfers Think – Perfecting Your Mental Game. For more information visit: www.howgreatgolfersthink.com