Archive for the Golf Psychology Category


Win A Copy of Learn to Win: A Major by Dr Morris Pickens

Here’s a bit of fun! Recently Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and Lucas Glover got together at Frederica Golf Club for a photo shoot for Dr Morris Pickens’ new book “Learn to Win: A Major”. Whilst there are some great photos with the Claret Jug, the 2007 Masters trophy and the 2009 US Open trophy – […]

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Planes, Trains & Automobiles to St Andrews

On Tuesday I travelled back up to St Andrews. Sometimes I drive and sometimes I fly but a few days ago I chose the train from London Kings Cross. Infact I was an hour early and so I wandered over to St Pancras International station next door as I wanted to see the redevelopment in […]

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Primacy and Recency – Your Keys to Efficient Practice

There is a theory in learning called “Primacy” and “Recency”. I use this theory often when making schedules or planning lessons for my students. To me, it’s one of the best techniques for getting the most out of your practice. In simple terms, primacy and recency mean first and last. Primacy for first and recency […]

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Smash Through Your Comfort Zone in 2010

When I discuss playing in pressure-packed situations with my professional students, I’ll always try and remind them that… all great things are accomplished outside their comfort zones. Or, I might say to them — rarely does anything exceptional happen if you’re afraid to get a little uncomfortable. And then, we actually prepare for that uncomfort […]

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What do Stewart Cink, Lucas Glover & Zach Johnson have in common?

Quick Question for you. What do Stewart Cink, Lucas Glover & Zach Johnson have in common? The answer is Dr Morris Pickens. He was responsible for getting their mind games in shape prior to winning a Major Championship! Infact he has provided sports psychology consulting for many PGA, LPGA, Nationwide, and Champions Tour players over […]

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Be Realistic When Overcoming Weaknesses, Don’t Kid Yourself…

One of my students, Angela Won, is playing the Futures Tour Qualifying School this coming week in Lakeland, Florida. Angela is a talented girl, with a great golf swing and owner of, perhaps, the best putting stroke on Earth. But unfortunately, she has an issue — an issue that has scared her to death and […]

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Learning To Go With The Flow

The great martial arts instructors talk often about pulling as your opponent is pushing. What does this mean? Basically, it’s a simple way of maintaining balance. Think of it this way… If your opponent pushes you in the chest with all of his force…and you resist…it won’t take long before you lose balance. But if […]

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The Most Important 48 Shots in Golf…

Okay — so you want to be a scratch golfer. I for one believe you can reach that goal — if of course, you have the requisite time and talent. And if you have access to the correct information through instruction or books/DVDs. And if…and this is a big IF…you learn that great play, which […]

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Top 10 Report Cards

In my (admittedly) lackluster academic career through high school and university I always hated mid-terms. The end of year pressure I could deal with. I expected it. It was supposed to be there. It was the mid-year exams, those that seemed to creep up without warning right as you were getting comfortable that I hated. […]

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How To Play Great Golf In The “Flow”

Andy’s Prologue: Following on from Gail Smirthwaite’s highly interesting post on How Much Does Your Ego Play A Part In Your Game Of Golf?, I would like to present Gail’s thoughts on playing in the “flow”. Gail’s Advice: In this blog post I am going to look at the importance of the mind when it […]

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How Much Does Your Ego Play A Part In Your Game Of Golf?

Andy’s Prologue: “As one who is prone to losing confidence whilst playing golf, I have been fortune enough to have benefited from Gail Smirthwaite’s expertise. Gail is a trainer for the PGA CPD programme and tours UK golf cubs conducting talks on ‘how to play golf with confidence’ to all standards of golfers. Listen to […]

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No More Slumps!

All of us, regardless of our skill level, have at times, swung the golf club very well. And, I imagine all you fortunate readers who’ve completed Andy’s course — The New Four Magic Moves To Winning Golf— swing the golf club exceptionally well at times. But what makes this game so frustrating is not the […]

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Solving The Slow Play Problem at Your Course

Like most golfer’s — I don’t like to play slowly. Of the best rounds from my past, almost all involve a very consistent pace. Almost like I was walking up to the ball, seeing my shot and then hitting it right away. Most of those rounds happened when there were very few people on the […]

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Playing Your Best When The Golf Course Slows Down

Its happened to everyone. You’re playing great and then wham — you hit a wall of people. The golf course slows down to a crawl and with it — so goes all your rhythm and ultimately — your patience. From there, it doesn’t take long before your scorecard is loaded with bogeys and double bogeys. […]

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Practice Like You Want to Play

I have spent the last few weeks on the road with some of my students at Futures Tour Events in Florida. These were the first events of the season and as expected, I learned a lot about my student’s games. I always say a golfer has four games or swings: They have their practice range […]

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