Archive for the Mental Game 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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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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Playing in Inclement Weather

We’ve all been there. You have a great round going, you are feeling it…then the clouds get dark and the skies open up. You go from stringing pars and birdies together, to barely being able to hang on to the club. The temperature drops in the blink of an eye, and before you know 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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How To Shake Off the Winter Rust

It’s the 2nd week of February, and depending on where you live you have already endured a long winter. If you live in a cold weather climate, you likely haven’t hit the links since the end of October. Since we already deal with a shortened golf season, there is nothing worse than starting slow and […]

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Don’t talk too much, say scientists

Don’t just stand there thinking or talking about your putt … just go ahead and play it! That’s the advice of a group of scientists after they completed a study on golfers who stand there pondering what they are going to do compared with those who prefer to simply step up and tap the ball. […]

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Overcome First Tee Jitters

One of the most common problems in golf is first tee jitters. People go from the driving range, where they are relaxed and calm, to the first tee, where they are anxious and nervous. What causes this? Could be a number of things – from stage fright to uncertainty of technique. But what ever the […]

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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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