Improve Your Golf Game Using Guided Imagery in Just 7 Easy Steps
In a game where a single stroke can mean the difference between winning and losing, golfers are always looking for anything that will give them an edge over their competitors.
If you are a golfer who wants to slash a few strokes from your game, improve your confidence, develop a deeper sense of relaxation, and have more fun playing golf, then you should give guided imagery a try.
You will be amazed how quickly you'll see and feel the difference.
Guided imagery is one of the several mental techniques used by sports performance experts.
It can help professional and amateur golfers alike improve their game and keep playing at a high level.
Often used in conjunction with other mental techniques such as hypnosis, visualization and NLP, guided imagery helps golfers to reduce stress, control their emotions, and improve their performance on the course - all without the need for constant practice.
Best of all, guided imagery is safe and effective.
Everyone from top professionals to weekend athletes can benefit from its use.
Seven easy steps to improving your golf game using guided imagery Step 1: Find a place where you are able to relax and are unlikely to be disturbed.
It is best to sit or lie down.
Loosen any restrictive clothing and get as comfortable as possible.
Step 2: Begin by taking in a long, slow, deep breath.
Hold it for a count of four and then breathe it out slowly through your mouth.
Imagine you are breathing in a relaxing color (choose any color that appeals to you) and as you exhale imagine that you are exhaling all the stress from your body.
Once again, take in another slow, deep breath.
Hold it for a count of four and breathe it out as you feel your body release any negativity and tension.
Step 3: Imagine as you breathe slowly that your body is filling up with relaxation.
See the relaxing color you chose starting at the top of your head and flowing down your body, relaxing your muscles as it passes over them.
See it travel down your face, then onto your neck and shoulders.
Let it move down through your torso, abdomen and into your hips and thighs.
Feel the relaxation flow down your legs, into your calves and ankles and all the way to your feet and toes.
Step 4: After your body is completely relaxed, picture yourself playing golf in a perfect relaxing place.
Perhaps you are on your favorite golf course.
It does not matter what place you choose, as long as it is the most stress-free place imaginable for you.
Step 5: Use all of your senses as you enjoy your surrounds.
See yourself walking around with perfect posture looking strong and confident.
Notice the color of the grass and smell the cool air.
Listen to any sounds.
Perhaps birds are singing or other golfers are talking and laughing.
The more real you can make the experience, the more relaxed you will feel when you are finished.
Step 6: As the scene becomes more vivid, see yourself lining up a putt.
See yourself looking confident and relaxed.
Watch as you make solid contact with the ball and hear the distinctive noise your putter makes.
Watch as the ball rolls toward the hole knowing without any doubt that it is going in.
See yourself smile as your hear the clunk of the ball dropping into the bottom of the cup.
Notice how happy you feel.
Hear other golfers clap and congratulate you.
See yourself bend over and pick the ball from the cup and as you straighten up, linger in the feelings of pride, confidence, and happiness.
Watch yourself walking towards the next tee feeling happy and confident.
Step 7: Enjoy the scene of your golf success for a few minutes perhaps repaying it over in your mind.
When you are ready count backwards from 20, becoming more and more alert as you count, until you get to 1.
As you get to 1 you will become fully alert, feeling rested, refreshed, confident, and excited to get out to the golf course.
This simple guided imagery session is similar to one that might be used in a directed sports performance session.
Don't be afraid to modify this technique, the surroundings, or the golf to suit your needs.
If you practice using guided imagery you will find yourself having more fun and playing better golf.
If you are a golfer who wants to slash a few strokes from your game, improve your confidence, develop a deeper sense of relaxation, and have more fun playing golf, then you should give guided imagery a try.
You will be amazed how quickly you'll see and feel the difference.
Guided imagery is one of the several mental techniques used by sports performance experts.
It can help professional and amateur golfers alike improve their game and keep playing at a high level.
Often used in conjunction with other mental techniques such as hypnosis, visualization and NLP, guided imagery helps golfers to reduce stress, control their emotions, and improve their performance on the course - all without the need for constant practice.
Best of all, guided imagery is safe and effective.
Everyone from top professionals to weekend athletes can benefit from its use.
Seven easy steps to improving your golf game using guided imagery Step 1: Find a place where you are able to relax and are unlikely to be disturbed.
It is best to sit or lie down.
Loosen any restrictive clothing and get as comfortable as possible.
Step 2: Begin by taking in a long, slow, deep breath.
Hold it for a count of four and then breathe it out slowly through your mouth.
Imagine you are breathing in a relaxing color (choose any color that appeals to you) and as you exhale imagine that you are exhaling all the stress from your body.
Once again, take in another slow, deep breath.
Hold it for a count of four and breathe it out as you feel your body release any negativity and tension.
Step 3: Imagine as you breathe slowly that your body is filling up with relaxation.
See the relaxing color you chose starting at the top of your head and flowing down your body, relaxing your muscles as it passes over them.
See it travel down your face, then onto your neck and shoulders.
Let it move down through your torso, abdomen and into your hips and thighs.
Feel the relaxation flow down your legs, into your calves and ankles and all the way to your feet and toes.
Step 4: After your body is completely relaxed, picture yourself playing golf in a perfect relaxing place.
Perhaps you are on your favorite golf course.
It does not matter what place you choose, as long as it is the most stress-free place imaginable for you.
Step 5: Use all of your senses as you enjoy your surrounds.
See yourself walking around with perfect posture looking strong and confident.
Notice the color of the grass and smell the cool air.
Listen to any sounds.
Perhaps birds are singing or other golfers are talking and laughing.
The more real you can make the experience, the more relaxed you will feel when you are finished.
Step 6: As the scene becomes more vivid, see yourself lining up a putt.
See yourself looking confident and relaxed.
Watch as you make solid contact with the ball and hear the distinctive noise your putter makes.
Watch as the ball rolls toward the hole knowing without any doubt that it is going in.
See yourself smile as your hear the clunk of the ball dropping into the bottom of the cup.
Notice how happy you feel.
Hear other golfers clap and congratulate you.
See yourself bend over and pick the ball from the cup and as you straighten up, linger in the feelings of pride, confidence, and happiness.
Watch yourself walking towards the next tee feeling happy and confident.
Step 7: Enjoy the scene of your golf success for a few minutes perhaps repaying it over in your mind.
When you are ready count backwards from 20, becoming more and more alert as you count, until you get to 1.
As you get to 1 you will become fully alert, feeling rested, refreshed, confident, and excited to get out to the golf course.
This simple guided imagery session is similar to one that might be used in a directed sports performance session.
Don't be afraid to modify this technique, the surroundings, or the golf to suit your needs.
If you practice using guided imagery you will find yourself having more fun and playing better golf.