The result of negative habits is unhappiness. The result of positive habits is happiness.
The M.A.C blueprint for Performance under Pressure
The M.A.C blueprint allows for movement - mental movement - so there is no stalling under pressure. We can then move freely to meet the challenge despite our discomfort.
1. STEP BACK
M - MINDFUL
of your thoughts and feelings. Recognising you are uncomfortable and as a result in a part of the mind (there are 2 parts for performance) that is NOT beneficial for performance. You decide to not let the MOMENT OWN YOU.
2. STEP UP
A - ACCEPTING
of your thoughts and feelings without judgement and recognising that the discomfort you feel is a normal response to pressure but will not define your ATTENTION you decide to connect with the part of the mind which will help you in this moment. You see your situation now as a CHALLENGE, not a threat, expanding your vision to see the bigger picture to make better decisions regardless of the discomfort.
3. STEP IN
C - COMMITMENT
and accuracy back to your personal performance processes and values, to the club, to the shot and to the swing with attention on your swing keys and "feels" to perform in the moment even though you may still feel uncomfortable. Your decision to act in service of your personal values for performance despite your discomfort allows you to OWN THE MOMENT
Quiet Mind Golf is about boosting your mental game with practical tools. I welcome everyone, no matter your skill level, who wants to understand themselves better and perform at their best.
The goal is to enhance your performance, allowing you to stay on track with your goals even when facing and in spite of internal challenges.
As we work together you'll learn to be fully present and focused on your game, adapting to distractions. This leads to increased enjoyment and a calm, settled mind – the essence of Quiet Mind Golf. It's all about feeling composed and confident on the course.
Pay attention to and plan in 4 key areas for continued and balanced improvement to reduce the gap of the level you are at now and the next level you wish to move towards.
BEFORE
Training the body and the brain BEFORE deals with what the player "brings to the game" identifying what a player has and where work and attention can be focused to allow them to play golf from a "place of trust" and free from expectation or judgement.
The training ground can be understood as an area where the golfers starts to build an understanding and trust in their own game which can be transferred to the course for intelligent fact based game management and strategy .... FACTS CHANGE BELIEFS not feelings!
DURING
The During stage of play blends both the physical and mental game skills the player develops to get into the ideal performance state only at the time of the actual shot. In this stage we are "triggering" concentration in the "playing zone". The player becomes more instinctive and athletic as opposed to technical and analytical.
Being or staying in the present is key to the success of the performance of each shot so where and why you place your attention is important in this moment.
IN-BETWEEN
85% of the time we are playing golf, we are not playing golf! It is essential players develop the skill of SWITCHING OFF and allowing the mental reserves to be topped up. The IN-BETWEEN area is where the skills that allow the player to "switch off” are practiced and strengthened. The ability for any player to be able to perform within the playing zone also depends on the ability to switch off from that state totally.
Being aware of the aspects that support performance such as nutrition and hydration are key here also. The brain is an energy-intensive organ, it uses as much as 20 % of the body's calories, so it needs good fuel to maintain concentration. Happy body = happy brain.
AFTER
We can understand that self-confidence and our sense of self-belief is a culmination of all our experiences in life and the way we interpret those experiences. What a player does in the After stage will ultimately have a large bearing on future success so the way the days experiences are processed mentally is important to future progress and success.
Reflection is a key skill a player can utilise to enhance future performance. The key are the questions asked when reflecting which can allow a player to reframe any past experience for the better. This work will also have a positive flow into the planning of the "BEFORE" stage with areas that can be better targeted with effective intelligently driven practice.
About me:
Hi. I am Scott Ritchie. I have been working with golfers on their mental performance now since 2012.
My formal qualifications include:
1. Certified Golf Psychology coach
2. Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching. (University of Canterbury, New Zealand).
3. Certified Mind Factor coach
4. Certified Fluid Motion Factor coach
5. Certified FocusBand instructor
I have also been a Professional caddy since 2002. I have been fortunate to caddy for a number of top ranked players in the world and I continue to perform this role.
Contact me
Location: St Andrews, Scotland - The Home of Golf.
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