you'll use this tip for the rest of your life

[gold nugget]

"You just don't look like you're enjoying the greatest game God ever created. Smile more"
As I stood over the ball I thought to myself -Now just what the heck does he mean by that.
And then he had the audacity to say it again!

The "he" was my Godfather. And boy was I frustrated trying to grasp the fundamental that he was patiently relaying to me.
It took me a few weeks before I caught on to something that I had never noticed before about the way he address the ball. And it had been there all the time. Right there on his face.

I kid you not. He had this silly grin on his face. Not only was it there at his address, but throughout his entire swing! It might have been 45 years ago, and he might have hand milled his own custom wood driver, but I assure you, I've never seen a man since, that could hit the holy you know what out of the ball as effortlessly and with as much enjoyment as he did. A real crowd attractor he was. But no one in the crowd enjoyed it as much as I did.

So, the moral is? Now matter what is going on in your personal life, it doesn't get any better than anticipating what just might be shot of your life. If need be, imagine your favorite mentor standing there with you, or maybe your greatest golf accomplishment. You know you did it once before, so why not do it again? Smile baby. It is the greatest relaxer and energizer known to man. If by chance you can't get this concept, put your clubs away and go to the nearest cancer ward or old folks home. Stay there as long as necessary. You'll get a whole new perspective and a fantastic attitude adjustment.

My Godfather has been dead for 10 years now, but there isn't an important shot I hit without him there, reminding me to practice the fundamentals he preached and smile in anticipation of doing it!

Share your favorite memory. It helps to verbalize it sometimes so you can better picture it when you go to address your next perfect shot.

GN

[Davebud]

good post, I really thought it was solid.

[zenkar]

sometimes its hard to smile.. after i hit a line drive from the woods into a tree and the ball goes back further from where i hit it!

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by zenkar

sometimes its hard to smile.. after i hit a line drive from the woods into a tree and the ball goes back further from where i hit it!

You just gotta remember to take the positives outta everything. Cuz you never know what's gonna happen on the next shot - good or bad!

I get upset with myself, but it's short lived. Hell, i'd rather be out on the course hitting bad shots as opposed to in my office slugging away at the computer.

R35

[gwlee7]

Originally Posted by zenkar

sometimes its hard to smile.. after i hit a line drive from the woods into a tree and the ball goes back further from where i hit it!

If you smile while hitting that particular shot you could end up not have any teeth left.


Good post though GN. Having a great attitude is more than half the game.

[Hangfire]

Just remember the good shots that keep you coming back!

[Sandpiper3]

This reminds me of my tourney this year at my home course... Sunday and im 1 back of the lead, 2nd hole i block my 3w a bit. Absolutely PURE shot, i was watching it just into the right rough, then all the sudden hits a stump, maybe a 2 sq ft target, and shoots straight right into the forest... Man did i get some sh*tty breaks that day, similar things happend the whole day, but i couldnt stop laughing and smiling because i was hitting such good shots and getting such horrible luck...

Some days you just gotta roll with the punches, we may get our fair share in, but some days you just drop your hands and old man golf gets a few solid shots right in the kisser.

[IrishGolfer]

Very cool post, I love it!

[mont86]

Originally Posted by Hangfire

Just remember the good shots that keep you coming back!

Thats the truth, a beautiful shot in an average round keeps me coming back. I'll spend hours after a round picturing a good shot in my mind.
Just waiting til the next round hoping to do it again.

[gold nugget]

I'll spend hours after a round picturing a good shot in my mind.
Just waiting til the next round hoping to do it again.[/quote]from Hangfire

Now we just need to apply your kind of attitude to life in general!

Actually, your words reminded me of that overused joke about the two kids. One is given a room full of toys, and he's so spoiled that he tires of them before long.

But Hangfire and Mond86, they're given nothing but a pile of horse crap. And there they are running around as happy as can be just knowing there a pony around somewhere.

[gold nugget]

I can relate to that one R35

[Dave Ireland]

Yeah I like these sentiments .....

[JEFF4i]

Definately, which is sometimes a problem for me.

In tournaments you won't see me smile much, or frown. I'm much more centered than it used to be.

However, in recreational play, it is certainly good to smile lots.