Guest Post by Mental Coach Wade Pearse

Golf is simple. That’s right, you heard me correctly. Golf is simple. The current approach to instruction is largely responsible for the belief that it’s difficult. Before I continue permit me a moment of diversion to explain something that will support the point of this article.

I have been requested to co-write a golf book that is sure to ruffle some feathers in the golf world…maybe even create some anger. The author was a top 100 PGA instructor and taught alongside the likes of Claude Harmon (the original Harmon that made his brothers famous and the only club pro ever to win the Masters), Harvey Pennick and other greats of the game.

I tell you this to provide insight into why golf IS an easy game. Their approach to the game is far removed from traditional instruction. These are legends in the world of golf and they are firm believers in simplicity. They repeat that the game is simple. No need to over complicate it. Yet over-complication is great for an industry that owes its’ existence to the prevailing myth that golf is difficult to learn.

Hey, I said this book will ruffle some feathers but I have no resistance to this. The author of this book, which I’m co-writing, is the only teacher in history, other than his friend Harvey Pennick, to produce 2 players who became 1st Team All-Americans. One of his students is an undefeated Ryder Cup member who just went 4 – 0 in the President’s Cup. I mention his credentials so you know this golf coach is at the top of the crop when it comes to understanding the golf swing and what it takes to win at the highest levels.

Beliefs are Addictive

I am really only repeating his words: golf is simple. It’s all about beliefs (and attitude). First we need to understand that beliefs are like drugs. They are extremely addictive. Take a look at any religious or political argument in life and you’ll see a fine example of how people act when under the influence of this mind altering addiction. Just try and take someone’s belief away from them in almost any area of life and you’ll meet some serious resistance!

As well, notice the are countless methodologies for teaching golf and each has its own bias on what is truly important in the swing/game. This only leads to more confusion, frustration and a lack of focus for those of us looking to improve our games. Over-complication.

Follow me here…If a player “believes” golf is fun and easy, even though they might not even know how to shoot good scores yet, and another player has been taught that golf is difficult and takes a lot of work, who do you think will improve the quickest? Without any coercion to affect your response I will bet that most of you would say the first player will get more from the game and learn quicker. We’ve all heard that beliefs are very powerful, right? So why don’t we use them properly and to our advantage?

Mainly because we do not truly understand how they’re shaped and that they can be changed. Once you have some evidence that supports a belief, that belief becomes more solid to you. To the point where your mind is now “conditioned” to find more evidence that supports the belief. Beliefs are like missiles: they are very focused on their target => evidence.

One of the 43 separate sections in my mental game course is dedicated to beliefs and how to change them to support your outcomes. Beliefs are dynamic, not static. They are not solid and unchangeable, as they might seem to you. And one more thing: you are not your beliefs…. I’ll let you ponder that one on your own time.

Design New Beliefs

Let’s say I’m a 16 handicapper. I hit a bad shot and feel some frustration inside and say to myself, “What an idiot. You can’t play this game worth crap. Lesson after lesson and I STILL hit the ball like a beginner. I can’t learn this stupid game.” Ok, let’s take a brief look at the belief installation process…

I like to call this a Scaffold of Belief. It is built from the ground up with the belief itself resting atop the scaffold. It looks like this:

Belief
XXX
Evidence
XXXXX
Conclusion
XXXXXXX
Evaluation
XXXXXXXXX
Perception
XXXXXXXXXXXX

Let’s look closer at the example above:

Perception – I hit a bad shot.
Evaluation – what an idiot.
Conclusion – I can’t play this game worth crap.
Evidence – lesson after lesson and I still hit the ball like a beginner.
Belief – I can’t learn this stupid game

Ouch. A very disempowering belief, wouldn’t you agree?

Process complete. You now have a “solid” belief that will guide your decisions and therefor your results. Ultimately your experience on the golf course will be directly affected by this.

Now what if you had the key to creating new and empowering beliefs that would transform your game from the inside out? How much faster will you learn? How low could you really go with beliefs that are designed to support your goals? Beliefs are fluid, not solid.

I offer you a direct insight into the structure of beliefs and the tools to change them. Leaving you free to truly explore your potential and tap your own inner talents. My friend I spoke of at the beginning of this article likes to say “Let your inner artist out to play.” Beautifully put. I’ll show you how to make this a reality.

Note: This article may not be reproduced, altered, or used in any way without the express written consent of Wade Pearse. It is shared openly here on the behalf of Mike Pedersen for the sole benefit of his visitors.

If you want to get your mental game dialed up, I strongly recommend Wade Pearse’s Mental Golf Program.

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