BODY TALK

You and I know that self-talk plays an important role in achieving success on the golf course. You've heard the sayings a million times: "You are what you think you are'" "As you think so shall you be'" Think and grow rich (successful)," and "If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right either way!"

In other words, our bodies (behavior) are affected by what we believe, and say, in our minds. Research in the field of mind/body health leaves little doubt as to the accuracy of this notion. But did you know that it also works the other way around?

THE MIND IS AFFECTED BY WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BODY.

The first frame of one of my favorite Peanuts cartoons shows Charlie Brown and his body language shouts to the world that he's depressed. Lucy walks in and says, "You look terrible Charlie Brown, what's the matter?"

Charlie Brown answers, "That little red-haired girl wouldn't talk to me today. She wouldn't even look in my direction!"

Lucy says, "Well Charlie Brown don't look so sad. Put your shoulders back, and stand up straight. Put a smile on your face for heaven's sake! Come on you can do it Charlie Brown!"

Charlie Brown does what Lucy suggests. He stands up tall, shoulders back, and puts a big smile on his face, and then in the next scene he's back to looking totally dejected again and says to Lucy,

"No, I don't want to, I can't be like that and still feel depressed!"

Have you noticed some golfers who look totally dejected after a missed shot or two? Maybe you've experienced it yourself? You walk away from a shot with your head down, shoulders slumped, slamming clubs in the ground, and with a frown on your face. Your body is sending a negative message to your mind. Perhaps the message is one of giving up, or not trusting yourself, and that creates the possibility that things will worsen.

Watching other golfers, even the pros, you can often tell from their body expressions when it happens, exactly when they are "out of the match." It might be following a double or triple bogey, or perhaps the third bogey in a row, or maybe it was an eight on a blowup hole. Regardless, the body language tells the story of the mortal wound. You've probably even commented on it to your buddies, "He looks out of it now!" And he probably is.

Our body communicates using the language of "sensation. " A sensation is a chemically based stimulation that lets you know when your body wants or needs something, like food, water, or sleep. The body clearly signifies when something is wrong, and uses pain or discomfort as the signal to get your attention. When you are afraid, no matter the source of the fear, your body automatically responds with the fight/flight syndrome. Your heart rate increases, adrenaline is released, and you prepare to either fight or run.

Any physical sensation or symptom that you experience is a message from your body attempting to provide you information and encouragement. At times the symptoms insist you pay attention and do something to restore balance and health.

By now you might be asking, "Which comes first, the self-talk or the body language?" Is the body language "negative" because of your thoughts about a certain shot or did you come to the course carrying a negative "body attitude" that has affected your shotmaking? The body/mind is integrated and interactive, and therefore it is often impossible to tell which came first. The important thing to remember is that in either case you can choose behavior which is more likely to create the result you want.

One way is to follow the old adage that says "Fake it till you make it." Try the following exercise the next time you are headed to the course directly from a difficult time at home or the office.

First, notice how your body is behaving. Are your movements quick, jerky, or angry? Is the tone of your voice harsh, your speech quick? Are your muscles tight and tense? Do you have a death grip on the steering wheel? Is your pulse rate higher than normal? Notice your shoulders, are they bunched up, tense? Do you have a frown on your face?

Notice the sensations in your body and remind yourself that these body expressions are creating messages to your mind. If you behave a certain way then your beliefs and your feelings will begin to align themselves with that behavior. Now ask yourself the important question; "Is that what I want to have happen right now?" Answer the question and choose body expressions that will send the message you want.

Take some deep breaths. Invite your body to become calm and comfortable. Smile. Hold the steering wheel with just enough pressure to get the job done. Count to ten slowly. Put on some soothing music. Slow down by five miles per hour. Let someone in front of you. Move more slowly. Focus on your shoulder muscles and invite them to soften and smooth. At stop lights, look outside and notice the beauty around you. Relax your jaw. Wiggle your toes. Tell yourself a joke or a story that makes you laugh.

You can decide, just like Lucy said, to have your body speak a different language, the language of confidence, the language of well-being. What do you want your body telling your mind on the golf course? It's up to you. When you want to feel more positive on the golf course choose to have your body speak with a language of confidence and well-being. Keep your head up, shoulders squared, and a determined, confident eye on your next target.

Remember, If you believe you can or you believe you can't, you're right either way; AND, if you ACT AS IF YOU CAN OR ACT AS IF YOU CAN'T, again you are right either way!

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Dr. Paula King, Golf's "Head" Coach®, is a licensed sports psychologist in private practice in Phoenix. Specializing in work with golfers her clients include tour pros, juniors and amateurs. Comments or Questions?