(a lesson in golf from the ski slopes)

What do golf and skiing have in common?

I don’t think I’ll ever get Mrs Geek back on skis.

We tried it, once. I’d spent a week skiing most Easters for around 10 years, and I’d loved it.

She’d never been on skis, but was happy to try. We hadn’t been together all that long, so I wasn’t aware of how much she disliked a number of things inherent in skiing.

She can’t stand being cold. Or wet, for that matter. And, as a complete beginner, she spent a lot of time being both. Everyone else in the group had skied before, so she was the only one trudging off to ski school. Shared experience, having a laugh about your day with others keeps you going when things are tough, so it was a lot to ask.

But that wasn’t what put her off skiing.

That…was my fault, entirely. Read More…

A slight change of focus today.

Usually, I concentrate on helping you improve at golf, using lessons I’ve learned on the course and in life. But today’s a bit different.

I’d like you to help me.

Help me to help you, that is.

I’m guided by my studies and my own journey through golf, but that means I might not be helping you with the difficulties you’re facing. And that’s not what I want to do.

The way round this?

I’d like you to tell me. 

If you don’t mind, I’d be really grateful if you could spend a few minutes to let me know your biggest golfing frustrations and suggesting areas you’d like me to focus on.

I’d be very grateful for any input but, if you’d like a suggestion to get you started, you could answer one of the questions below:

My biggest frustration in golf is                                 

I’d like to see a mental game coach because                              

Although you’re very welcome to use the comments section below, you can also email or use the contact form to get in touch in private, if you’d prefer. While I can’t guarantee I’ll use every email for an article, I’ll cover as many as I can.

[image credit: "Question Mark made of puzzle pieces" by Horia Varlan under Creative Commons licence]

What “lemonade rocks” taught me about golf improvement.

I’ve only scored 100% in an exam once. It happened in my first year of secondary school, in maths of all subjects.

I remember it clearly; we’d moved into the area at the start of the school year so I was an unknown quantity; my classmates were shocked to see this interloper doing so well.

I heard a few mutterings to the effect that I “wouldn’t get that lucky again”, ascribing my success to a fluke.

But I had a secret weapon.

Lemonade rocks.

I feel I should explain a little.

Before the test, I’d been at the “tuck shop” and had bought 2 ounces of boiled sweets (or candy, if you prefer), the aforementioned lemonade rocks. I’d heard sucking on a sweet helped concentration and was thus determined to use this to my advantage.

And it had obviously been successful.

Imagine, then, my consternation when the shop sold out, due in part to my enthusiastic endorsement. I told myself that the type of sweet didn’t matter, any sweet designed to be sucked rather than chewed would do.

But it didn’t work.

I did OK in exams, but not any better than my usual; sometimes I was even a little worse…all because they didn’t have my muse, my lemonade rocks. I came to believe there was something about the sweets themselves, some magic ingredient which helped my brain go into overdrive.

I cut a forlorn figure trudging down every day, more in hope than in expectation, for those yellow-and-white lumps of boiled syrup.

Until the day they were finally back in stock. As luck would have it, I had a maths test the very next day and I gleefully anticipated my results. I knew 100% wasn’t a given, but I’d be in the 90′s or high 80′s at the very least.

You can probably guess how it went.

My 78% wasn’t dreadful, but it was well below my average, let alone my expectations. I realised (only 14 months too late) my results had nothing to do with my choice in confectionary. Who would’ve thought it?

What this has to do with your golf. Read More…

…it’s been a while.

I’m sorry I’ve not been around.

While I can offer any number of reasons, one stands out. Just at the time I took my Christmas break from the site, I rotated into one of the busiest posts of my professional career. And this came at a time when I’d been busy I’d been working with some players whilst ensuring I continued to develop my knowledge and coaching skills.

I also wanted to revamp the site, as a few people had mentioned the white writing on green background was difficult to read.

I just didn’t have the time to do what I wanted, and my break grew longer.

I’m delighted to say that’s no longer the case.

I don’t think I’ll ever work in such a busy post again, which means I’ll be able to continue offering you free articles to help you improve at golf. Although the rotten winter has meant I’ve not been able to get out to play, I’ve been as busy as ever developing my skill set and I’m desperate to start sharing what I’ve learned.

As you can see, I’ve been decorating, and I hope the site’s new look is easier on the eye.

As ever, I’d love to hear from you.

If there’s an area you’d like me to focus on, if you’ve got a question you’d like me to answer, or if you’d like to us to work together, please get in touch.

You can either click here to email, or use the contact form. You can even use the comments section below. Let me know what you think of the site’s new look, if you like- all feedback is gratefully received.

Let’s see if we can help you enjoy your golf even more!

I have a confession to make.

I haven’t played enough golf this year.

And I don’t mean in an “I can never get enough golf” way. I really just didn’t get out to play anywhere near often enough.

It’s understandable in a way. My kids are 6 and 3, I’m nearing the end of my training as a physician…and on top of it all, I’ve started coaching players this year.

I also fell into the trap of thinking “it’s only worth going out if I can play 18″, when it would’ve been better to have scratched the itch and played as many as possible.

But I certainly don’t think of this year as a failure. 

It’s just not a helpful label. And it’s inaccurate for a number of reasons.Firstly, it’s only one aspect of my life, when the others are going rather well.

More importantly, why judge something as if it’s over when it’s not? Read More…