Golf Psychology

[Doon frae Troon]

Interesting that this thread has achieved such a negative response.

If I said 'The good golfer sees the pin whilst the poor golfer sees the pond in front of the green', almost everyone on here would agree with me.
When I coached beginners psychology played a big part in most early lessons, it was not called psychology it was called coaching. Putting an image/picture inside the brain to help understand what you are doing.
A knowledge of golf and sports psychology makes a good golf coach.
I don't think a Psychologist working alone would make a great improvement to any player unless the psycologist had played to a decent standard.
Working with a pure golf coach and a psychologist would work if there was a really close relationship between the both of them.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

An interesting [I hope] add on to this.

I used to work with a group of very good juniors.
When the improvers got to about 4/5 handicap the Pro and I would take them out for a 'special' playing lesson.
They would tee the ball up and just about start their swing when we would shout stop. then in quickfire questions we would say.
Why did you tee up there?
Why did you hit a driver and not a 3 wood?
What shape were you hitting the ball?
Why did you choose that shot?
What is the safest shot here?
What angle do you want for your second shot?
What is the worst shot you could hit here?
and so on.

The ones who were going to be good knew all the answers. A golfing brain is generally something no one can teach.
The ones who still had a long way to go just looked totally confused.

If a lad showed bad body language after a poorly hit 'decent' shot we would jump on them.
We said that if the selectors were watching you through binoculars [as they normally did] they would have no idea if it was a good or bad shot and would only be interested in where the ball finished.

One of those lads went on to win the European Tour 'shot of the year' with a 'chunked' [his words] 5 iron that turned a Ryder Cup result.
I often wonder if his opponents knew it was chunked?

 

[gryffindor]

Perhaps the OP ought to be selling his services to the golfer's partner. How many take a bad round of golf home with them? I know of one person that had a lot of their Sundays ruined - the whole family were on tenterhooks waiting to see what kind of mood Dad came home in. Bad round - bad mood - miserable family. (To be fair he is now sorted and is cheerful whatever the result but if this could have been fixed years ago it would have been a great help)

 

[sev112]

There is a place for the psychologist, as there is a place for religion, chocolate, sex etc..

Psychology in golf, I get
Religion also ("Jesus Christ ....")
Chocolate -goes without saying

Sex in golf ...? What am I missing?

 

[mikee247]

Psychology in golf, I get
Religion also ("Jesus Christ ....")
Chocolate -goes without saying

sex in golf ...? What am I missing?

some might say catching one flush out the screws flying 300 (forum figures) down the
middle is better than sex!

 

[williamalex1]

First thing you must do is change your name , no Mulligans allowed in golf mate.

 

[WideEyedFox]

Hi Everybody

I am setting up my business as a golf psychologist and need your opinions on a few things for market research.

Have you or would you consider a golf psychologist?
As a NLP Master Practitioner myself, no.


How much would you expect to pay for an hour long session?
Same as any other psychological therapy session or 1-1 pro lesson based on region.

How often do you take golf lessons and how much do they cost?
I usually buy a block of 6, and use them throughout the year as and when needed.

Do you change clubs to help fix a problem such as slice or yips?
No. I hit good and bad shots with the same club(s) - thus the source of the problem is the execution of my technique.

Hope you guys don't mind helping me out.

Thanks

Best of luck with your venture. :thup:

As a few thoughts to add

1 - Many of the players on golf forums (no offence!) are not your best target audience. You need to get in with some up and coming players on the amateur / Euro tour - these are the people who may well see serious implications in their game if their head is not in the right place.

2 - Speak to pro shops, get along to some competitions and hand out some business cards to Pro's and parents. Speak to players who have gone through not making cuts etc. and felt it was due to them not having the tools to get their head back in the game.

3 - Get writing. Get some data together for the different aspects of the game people struggle with (putting, short game, 1st tee nerves etc.) and get creative with some techniques that may help.

4 - If you're up for it, get creative in front of the camera - Mark Crossfield / MeandMyGolf style. Cover the above aspects face-to-face (well, face to internet audience) to try and get people to realise that a small mental change could actually drop a shot or two on the course.

Good luck. :thup:

 

[Bratty]

Psychology in golf, I get
Religion also ("Jesus Christ ....")
Chocolate -goes without saying

Sex in golf ...? What am I missing?

Hole-in-one?
Get in the hole!

Also, refer to page 4 of the "Are you man enough to play with the ladies?" post for two more sexual references.

 

[JustOne]

I have a degree in Psychology,....

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

 

[Bratty]

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

It's thanks to that degree that I can cope with you, James!

 

[Fish]

Adrian Riddell is a 1 handicapper at my club and this is his web site.

http://www.sports-mind.com/

 

[G_Mulligan]

Well guys and girls just to give an update on my progress and to say a big thank you to all who showed an interest in this topic, gave me some much appreciated advice (both positive and negative). My website is up and running although still needs a few changes when I get the chance. I have my first couple of clients in which is amazing but just baby steps for now.

I have put my prices at £50 for two hour initial session and £40 per hour but considering a rethink and may change it to a free 30 minute consultation and a flat £40 or £50 per hour after that.

I have started an affiliation with one of the top courses in Leeds and will hopefully develop a close relationship with the head pro there. Will be looking to get a few more courses on board in the new year and get my posters, business cards, promo pencils etc.

Got a very good and very talented friend of mine to design the logo you can see on my avatar for waaaaaaay under the price his time is worth, just wish he was a golfer so I could return the favour.

Once again thanks for the advice guys.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Thanks for sending me the information. I'm starting work on it and hope the business grows and grows. Some interesting thoughts for me to mull in the stuff you forwarded

 

[G_Mulligan]

Thanks for sending me the information. I'm starting work on it and hope the business grows and grows. Some interesting thoughts for me to mull in the stuff you forwarded

Yeah imagery and self talk can be very effective if used regularly but can take some getting used to especially PETTLEP imagery which is what I sent to you. Hope it works and any problems just give me a shout.

I am working on three things at the moment in my own game; putting, putting, and more putting. using the self talk and a similar imagery script myself each morning for about 15 minutes to try and sort my confidence out with the new grip I am trying to stop pushing the ball to the right.

 

[CMAC]

Well guys and girls just to give an update on my progress and to say a big thank you to all who showed an interest in this topic, gave me some much appreciated advice (both positive and negative). My website is up and running although still needs a few changes when I get the chance. I have my first couple of clients in which is amazing but just baby steps for now.

I have put my prices at £50 for two hour initial session and £40 per hour but considering a rethink and may change it to a free 30 minute consultation and a flat £40 or £50 per hour after that.

I have started an affiliation with one of the top courses in Leeds and will hopefully develop a close relationship with the head pro there. Will be looking to get a few more courses on board in the new year and get my posters, business cards, promo pencils etc.

Got a very good and very talented friend of mine to design the logo you can see on my avatar for waaaaaaay under the price his time is worth, just wish he was a golfer so I could return the favour.

Once again thanks for the advice guys.

clever! the 'trail' of the bouncing ball should come from the other side and create the initial image of a person lying there :thup: just a thought

 

[Fish]

Well guys and girls just to give an update on my progress and to say a big thank you to all who showed an interest in this topic, gave me some much appreciated advice (both positive and negative). My website is up and running although still needs a few changes when I get the chance. I have my first couple of clients in which is amazing but just baby steps for now.

I have put my prices at £50 for two hour initial session and £40 per hour but considering a rethink and may change it to a free 30 minute consultation and a flat £40 or £50 per hour after that.

I have started an affiliation with one of the top courses in Leeds and will hopefully develop a close relationship with the head pro there. Will be looking to get a few more courses on board in the new year and get my posters, business cards, promo pencils etc.

Got a very good and very talented friend of mine to design the logo you can see on my avatar for waaaaaaay under the price his time is worth, just wish he was a golfer so I could return the favour.

Once again thanks for the advice guys.

I can't find anything on your site about YOU? especially, qualifications etc?

 

[Curls]

I love the logo, the ball comes from that side to create symmetry, it really is very clever!

This is a subject close to my heart, at the moment I'm happy reading and learning for myself but I'll keep you in mind, best of luck with the venture

 

[virtuocity]

I can't find anything on your site about YOU? especially, qualifications etc?

I think this is important. Where did you study, out of interest?

 

[G_Mulligan]

I think this is important. Where did you study, out of interest?

Quite right and is on my long to do list along with a few other bits and pieces that needs to go on the website. I studied at Leeds Trinity graduated with honours (Sport and exercise with psychology) Overall 2:1 but a high 1st class in sport psychology (highest in my year) the 2:1 still pains me but sport, history, and politics along with some very tricky modules in health psychology especially in written exams dragged me down from an overall 1st to my 2:1. I am taking a year out to set up my business and get some clients in before I go back and do my masters in sport psychology.

 

[JacksJumper]

Not having any pic or bio of you on your site looks unprofessional and a bit suspect. edit: ah i thought it may be due to a 2:1 at a former polytechnic/swimming pool. £40ph is a piss take imo.

I would probably be more likely to seek physical therapy rather than mental.