MENTAL SPOTLIGHT

Fit Your Game to Your Personal Value

Students around the country are either planning for or recovering from their mid-year exams. So it only seem reasonable that we students of golf avail ourselves to some similar self-examination before we embark on the new golf lesson.

         The following is an examination of your golfing values. Many items relate particular to professional golf, but the areas tapped are ones that any amateur who has paid his dues can identify with. Besides, what amateur has not imagined himself as a pro at one time or another?

         So pick your answers and clarify your values. If you want to really have some fun, take it to the 19th hole, and see if you can predict the answers of yours golfing colleagues. There are, of course, no right or wrongs. Only your values are on the line.

1. As a club pro, I would prefer a (a) high-pressure job at a prestigious club, (b) relaxed job at a little known club.
2. My idea of a good time playing golf would be (a) high-powered tournament, (b) low-key tournament, (c) friendly match with a bunch of old biddies, (d) round by myself.
3. Competitively, I would be more likely to seek out (a) individual competition in a medal play event, (b) individual competition in a match play event, (c) a best-ball team match, (d) a scramble.
4. I would rather (a) qualify for the U. S. Open, but then fail to make cut, (b) come in tenth in the Buick Open, (c) come in second in the French Open, (d) win my state open championship.
5. I would rather watch a tournament (a) from one location on the golf course, and see all the players pass by, (b) by following one pair of my choosing for all 18 holes, (c) from my own living room on T.V.
6. If I could have only one, I would prefer (a) one round at a classic course with a prestigious reputation, (b) five rounds at a top calibre course that has no special reputation, (c) ten rounds at my home course.
7. If each of the following cost the same, I would rather (a) take a three-day golfing trip to Scotland, (b) have a one-week vocation at my favorite American golf resort, (c) take a month off and play my home course.
8. I would rather (a) play a mediocre round before a T.V. audience, (b) witness any of my great shots.
9. I would rather be a (a) well-known and respected golfer who collected moderate winnings while on tour, (b) lesser-known and less-respected golfer who is making a small fortune on the present tour.
10. I would rather retire with a record like (a) Andy North, who won two U.S. Opens, but little else, (b) Tom Kite, who won numerous tournaments and was recognized as an excellent golfer, but who won no majors till the 1992 U.S. Open Championship.

       Having answered the above question, have you noticed any pattern to your responses? Do you choices reflect an intense, individualistic, ambitious golfer, who likes to go for the golf? Or are you more of a laid-back, team-oriented, relaxed kind golfer who prefers to play the percentages? Maybe you might want to consider making some New Year’s resolutions based on what you’ve learned.

This article is from the book “The Complete Golfer: Physical Skill and Mental Toughness” by Dr. Tom Dorsel, the sport psychologist.