Michigan Golf Journal May 2022

overly concerned with posting a number, and feel you have no control over what you will shoot that day? After the Round - Is your 19th hole chatter focused on all the shots you left out there, the bad breaks you got, or how you are much better than your opponent, yet the scorecard proves otherwise? These are all classic examples of the ANT Trap. Your negative thoughts and emotions have subconsciously hijacked your golf game. Stopping the ANTS Now that you better understand these pesky insects, let’s figure out how to STOP them with a simple, 3 Step Approach. Step 1 -Awareness -To STOP any type of negative energy, you must be aware when it happens. I have my students identify their TOP 10 ANT Traps, both on and off the course. Putting your ANT Traps on high alert makes it much easier to STOP them. Step 2 - STOP - If you want to STOP this negative energy wave, the best way is to physically STOP moving. By stopping, you create a what is known as a pattern interrupt which sends a new message to your brain. Step 3 - Repeat Your Strategy Aloud - In the January issue we shared the importance of playing golf with a Mental Game Strategy. To reverse your negative energy, simply say your strategy aloud. For example, if your Strategy for the day is Smile, then repeat the word 3 times to yourself and put a big Smile on your face! Since you can only have one thought at a time, it’s best to make it a positive one. Use these three steps to STOP the ANTS. Overcoming your ANTS will improve your confidence, lower your score and increase your enjoyment of the game. Overcoming your ANTS will improve your confidence, lower your score and increase your enjoyment of the game.

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