Part II: Why working out is essential to Mental Golf

In part I of my article on why working out is essential to Mental Golf, the key point was that a stronger more flexible body is able to hit the golf ball further, without "forcing" the shot.

Avoiding "forcing" is key in being able to swing fluidly and without rigidization, and this allows us to remain for longer periods of time in the unconscious mode, the mode in which we play our best golf.

But, working out has other benefits for golf and our well being in general:

1. Endorphin hormones that help us feel good.

2. Neurotrophines, a family of proteins that produce and assist in the survival of neurons. Simply put, to regularly do this type of physical exercise will give us a better learning and problem solving capability.

3. It is a proven fact that during aerobic exercise there is a reduction in left brain activity, the one that controls the conscious mind, and an increase in right brain activity, the side that controls the unconscious, intuitive and "good at golf" mind. Doing it in the gym will make it easier to do it on the course.


Gary Player, winner of 18 Majors

4. Doing a regular workout routine makes us mentally strong and disciplined.
Gary Player, the South African legend, who was the first golfing great to endorse a regular fitness program, spells it out loud and clear in his recent book :  Don´t Choke: A Champions guide to winning under pressure.
Player says: " I know that at the highest level of competition, being fit leads to a stronger mind and less chance of choking".

So just how good is working out for my golf game ??????

It couldn´t be better, really.

Working out makes me feel good, I hit the ball longer and I don´t force on the golf course any more. By generating neurotrophines, I am better at planning my shots and solving on course problems.

Today, last but not least, by being disciplined and working out regularly, I´m now a mentally stronger golfer than I ever was, and I can access my unconscious mind more frequently for key mind/body synchronization and great shot making.