Golf is an amazing mirror of life. Yes, other sports provide life lessons as well, but golf is my favorite sport and I understand better. It is an addiction, a mystical experience, a test of character, an escape, a source of rare joy and excruciating pain. There is a psychological test will tell a lot about a person's character as a round of golf. With the arrival of spring, here are some of my observations about golf and the game of life:

1. Expectations & Flexibility. Golf, like life, not dominating in a season, and is particularly frustrating if we approach it with stiff and inflexible expectations. Great golf begins with stretching, bending, loosening, and matching my desired outcomes with the reality of a body grown lazy over the winter. A sense of humor and a dash of humility go a long way!

2. Clarity of purpose. Many golfers never stop to think about why they play the game. For win? For fun? For social reasons, or for the challenge? For the exercise? Just as it tries to become rich and famous often creates frustration and disappointment, few ever play professionally, and striving for perfection is the setting of "failure." Know why you play the game and where is your satisfaction and joy in it.

3. Team. Most golfers play with clubs that fit Dona't, or no longer suit their games. Graphite rod designs have revolutionized the new golf club. Active players should have their clubs checked for loft, lie, and length, and have them re-gripped every season. Almost any type of work is easier with the right tools.

4. Strong foundations. Golfers go to extremes. Some take lesson after lesson, trying to fix the smallest error in their quest for the perfect swing. Others, ignore the classic foundations of grip, stance and swing in their eagerness to "do my way. "Success is usually found in a healthy balance of learning from the wisdom and experience of others, while celebrating its unique style and approach to the game.

5. Profitable practice. Power on the day of a major tournament, I often go to the practice green and watch skilled, dedicated golfers practice missing putts. With a small crowd milled about, quickly beaten putt after putt, destroying their rhythm, timing and confidence. Then, in frustration, wonder what happened to their carefully honed putting stroke! In golf and in life, practice smart. Practice for success!

6. Smart Preparation. Tour players always play practice rounds. Ben Hogan used to walk the course at twilight before a tournament to learn tricks hid all ita and traps. Top players rehearse every shot in their imagination before going to the course. Are prepared in advance to be ready when the moment of truth. It is sorrow.

7. Appear. The biggest challenge for many Nike Tour and other young players to play their best golf without a penny in his pocket, often lonely and far home. They have reason to be distracted. What are your excuses? Ram Das said, "Be Here Now". In golf, and life, ita difficult to win if Dona't occur, or occur only every other swing!

8. Warming. Every great athlete, those who are in the best physical and mental respect for their bodies enough to loosen, stretch and rehearse before competition. Unfortunately, most, fans Dona't go through all that. Jumped the car, grab the clubs and head to the first tee. Before any important event, arrive early, walk, relax, and warm to the task at hand.

9. Focus on results. Every golf stroke creates a result. Sometimes the ball goes into the hole, sometimes out of bounds. Golfers tend to focus (1) on the outcome would have preferred, it is mere illusion, or (2) to beat themselves for being so "stupid", which is painful. Learn from every swing. Observe the results you actually get. Life never lies!

10. Review and adjust. If arenÂ't get the results you want, find out why. You can trust on the ball, it goes where you hit him. If you want a different outcome, change your settings, routine, or other actions to get the result you want. Someone said: "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is a sign of madness." Successful people learn quickly, others learn with time.

Have a wonderful day and a wonderful week, and I'll see you on the links!

© Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: “Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It’s all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com

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