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From Range To Course Part 2 – The Keys To Calm on the Course

This is the 2nd in the series of training videos on how to stop choking and bring your best practice game over to the course.

Did you get to watch the first training video on
how to bring your  best practice game over to the
course?

If not, Go HERE for Part 1.

If you did, wasn’t that a shocker? I mean the reason WHY this problem has been unsolvable for so many golfers.
It’s because they have totally been on the wrong track for how to fix it!

Go watch both videos and you’ll see what I mean.

In this second video, I’m going to keep moving you forward with this strategy that is designed to interrupt and ultimately change your  nervous system response that you get whenever there is something at stake while playing on the course.

Let me give you some comfort for a moment here…You are not alone with this problem.  There isn’t a top golf pro alive who hasn’t run right into this scoring wall.  Every golfer, I mean every golfer, has experienced losing their game on the course right after doing just fine on the range and practice green.

The good news is…you are getting the solution.

Make sure and comment underneath the video.

Greens and fairways,

Craig Sigl
Mental Toughness Trainer

69 Responses

  1. Namesteve says:

    can’t wait to try the focus method.
    will comment next time on the round etc.

    thank you steve

  2. Bob says:

    Craig ,
    I can hit the ball on the range but when I get on the course I top so many shots . I try to remain calm but all too often I start getting really mad at myself for doing the same thing over and over . I have taken so many lessons and I still do the same thing . Have a great practice swing but real swing is not the same How do you connect your conscious to unconscious mind and how do you know if your doing it ?Please help.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi Bob,
      It’s a process. You start by having the intention to do so. You relax into it and assume it’s happening. You keep at it. You listen to guided recordings. You get better and better at it. Eventually, like me, you believe you are connected to your inner mind all of the time…. More help on this coming your way…stand by..
      Greens and fairways,

      Craig

  3. john says:

    Looking forward to change my outlook on my game ….. maybe this is the breakthrough ‘I am looking for.

    Found it confusing that your notion of ‘change your game without practicing’ when your download on fixing your swing that deals primarily with mechanics and practice.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi John,
      I understand the confusion. “How To Solve Your Golf Problems” is just a gift that I offer to sign up for my email newsletter. I didn’t write it and it goes to the notion that that is what most golfers think they need. Once they get here, I teach them otherwise. Maybe a little bait and switch, I confess, but the book is entertaining and some might find value.
      Greens and fairways,
      Craig

  4. Emilio says:

    Great video, Craig, as usual. I think reducing the stress is more challenging in a tournament that in a normal round with your friends, and the more I really need to trick my brain. Is there any particular tip for real stressful situations at a golf tournament? will try the video tips next tournament, for sure, and see what happens. Thanks again

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Thanks Emilio, Yes it is more difficult in a tournament but I’m here to tell you that the great thing about the mental game is that you get to practice it everywhere off the course and then it translates on the course. AND world and Focus on a new reason for playing the game: “For the love of everything about it…details” are 2 powerful techniques. Master them and it may be all you need. After that, we go deeper. Future videos.
      Greens and fairways,
      Craig

  5. NameDerek says:

    Getting a little confused with 2nd video. Are you saying that when we are down on ouselves and utterly frustrated after a bad or series of bad shots or after a bad game that we affirm to our unconscious mind that we are ok and happy and pleased etc. Are we trying to con our inner brain. To be honest I cannot possibly envisiage feeling better in such circumstances.
    I tried the lesson given in video one on the course ie. Telling myself that I could make the shot I needed to make irrespective of feeling stressful but I still made horrendous shots.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi Derek,

      No, that’s not what I’m saying. If you get down on yourself and utterly frustrated from a bad shot or series of bad shots, then that should be a wake up call that you playing the game for a score. You want to have a different reason for playing the game other than score THEN, you won’t get frustrated. You can’t envision feeling better in such circumstance because you have firmly programmed to play for score and so you relate everything that happens to you through that.

      Re: your second comment about technique in video 1 – I don’t like the term “irrespective.” That tends to mean we are disregarding the feeling. We don’t want to do that. It’s more like you are embracing the emotion, like Annika said, going with them…letting them flow.

      This isn’t going to solve all of your golf problems by itself so let go of that expectation. In fact, if you hold every mental or physical technique up to that kind of “one-time” scrutiny, you’re dooming yourself to failure. Improvement comes in increments and it happens because it makes sense to you and you believe in it. If the “And World” technique didn’t help you at all, then my guess is that you have some work to do to get that “embracing your emotions” message down into your unconscious mind (Lesson 2 on this video). Ask me any questions for further clarity.

      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  6. john says:

    Okay Craig I am 70, been playing golf since I was 18, on and off, I am ready, this has to work
    because I have done it all, in those years except what your teaching.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi John,

      I’m ready for you. Let’s do it. Ask me any questions…I can answer them to keep you moving forward. Believe in your ability to change…
      Craig

  7. NameTerry says:

    Excellent strategies again, Craig. I am finding them useful on the course, and for the most part quite enjoying my game. I also like your energy and enthusiasm.
    Regards.
    Terry.

  8. NameNameDerek says:

    Craig,
    Sorry to be a nuisance but I have not received video 3.

  9. john says:

    I have listened and think I understand. I have been told by a few teaching pros that I am technically OK … not great really but good enough. When I play away on my own on holiday I get great scores (below 80) but I struggle with the issues that you have outlined – anything where a score/points is important(comps etc) it all goes to pot. I start positive and at ease but then get really screwed up when I miss an easy chip and/or fail to get out of trouble. It takes me 2 maybe 3 holes to get back to normal. Then it gets good again until I realise that my bad spell has cost me the comp/score or a round of drinks and down it goes downhill. My fix in the past has been more practice and training on the area in question (usually chipping 40 yds and in). Hopefully less focus on technique in the short term and more work on your AND process will resolve it for me.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      John! You have cleared a major hurdle in your development by becoming aware of your pattern. Bravo! That is a huge step. Far too many golfers go to their grave thinking the only way out of their problem is to practice more. Nothing wrong with that but at some point, the law of diminishing returns kicks in. More help coming your way.
      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  10. faizm1@live.com says:

    I can’t wait to get on the course in the morning to try this out

  11. Jim says:

    Great info

  12. Sandy says:

    I am going to try this today. I understand the concept. And, I know that focus is a big key. How do we block out the non-related stresses of running a business and other concerns? I sometimes tell my husband after I miss a shot that I was thinking about tomorrow’s meeting. That doesn’t help my game.
    I have been focusing on my target and that helps. I was out the other day and not hitting the ball well (that was before I tried the AND method). I finally decided to try to shape a shot and announcing what I am going to do. On the first attempt, I told myself to aim for a trap and draw the ball to a certain spot about 170 away. My husband and I laughed when I actually did it. Now, I am seeing by this video that perhaps I need to focus more. I will let you know. This is exciting stuff.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi Sandy,
      It’s tough to “block out” thought. It’s easier to “replace” thought. You need more things to focus on than just the target for 4 hours. Review part 1 video. I teach making a list of all the things you love about golf…a long detailed list. Dedicate the next round to awakening your senses to notice all those things and take them in. Practice that kind of thinking before you get to the course. Add in thoughts about your last or next vacation or retirement or whatever. Crowd out the thoughts that don’t work for you. I’m sure you do this in business very well. More Focus techniques coming in next videos.
      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  13. Tim says:

    I missed the 5th comment you promised in your video. I have had the yips so bad I couldn’t take the club back, I have shot a 74 in my life but now struggle to break 100; I know I am a basket case and I will try your suggestions and see if they help. I definitely believe in what you are saying re the unconscious.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi Tim,
      Haha. Yep, I realized that just recently. There’s only supposed to be 4. I re-did this video to correct that and will upload it soon. No major changes so you get the gist of it already. Stay tuned…more mental strategies to come.
      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  14. Alvin says:

    I was trying to watch both videos and in about 4 1/2 minutes into them, it cut me off. Why?

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi Alvin, sorry about that. It’s your internet connection. You might have to drag the player head back to the beginning and give the video time to load. If it gets stuck again, just keep bringing it back to the beginning. Eventually, it will be all loaded up and play through to the end.
      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  15. Mickey says:

    Is there a dichotomy between what you say about taking your range game to the course and the comments at the end of the second video that one should make their practice session more like their play on the golf course?

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi Mickey, astute observation! I don’t think so, or at least didn’t intend so. The object of the game in bringing best range game to the course is to blur the lines, eliminate the distinctions we have between how we swing/putt in practice and how we do it in competition. It’s much easier to do that mechanically and so that’s where I encourage golfers to start. Mentally, as you’ve seen in the videos, it’s about making change at the unconscious level. Please explain in more detail what you mean about dichotomy?
      greens and fairways,
      Craig

      • NameMickey says:

        What I was attempting to say was that I understand what you mean about taking the relatively stree-free range game to the golf course (as difficult as that might be to do), but I did not understand how the reverse could be also true…that is, making the practce session more like the play on the golf course. Wouldn’t that make the practice range session more stressful ?

        I have had some success in trying not to focus on score so much in casual rounds, but this weekend played in a three day match play event and found that I quicly reverted to the old mentality and my stress level went through the roof ! By the third day (last 2 matches of seven), I was more relaxed and played better. How does one maintain that ?

        • Craig Sigl says:

          Hi Mickey. Sorry took so long to find this to answer it. There’s 2 kinds of stress: “Eustress and Distress”

          Eustress is excitement generated from playing a competitive game. You fall over to Distress when you are fearful of not achieving an outcome. What you want to do in practice is generate some Eustress. In other words, you want to make your practice “meaningful” without going over the edge into Fear. Generally, golfers practice is too casual and therefore, they have this huge gulf between practice and play.

          Keep playing around with the idea and I think you will get it.

  16. JIM WILDER says:

    Unable to finish watching. Hard to stay awake. Get to the point!
    Offer solutions not just explain how good it can work.
    Develop a Readers Digest version.

  17. Henry says:

    Hi Craig

    I just listened to your lesson 1 and 2.
    You have highlighted a common mistake that I make playing golf.
    I play off a 7 hcp and am very much score orientated or fixated.
    Today I will focus on the nice things around me AND if it happens, it happens!!!!!
    Keep you posted.

    PS thanks for the free lessons

    Henry

  18. Namepaul says:

    Hi Craig, I can really relate to your concepts as my biggest problem has been able to play a perfect second shot ( as a provisional ball for example) yet my first shots are rubbish!!!!!It is happening too many times to be a coincidence and my playing partners are commenting aswell. Any advice would be appreciated.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi Paul. Yes, as I’m sure you know, it’s because you have let go of your expectations on yourself for your 2nd ball. After the choke first ball, the 2nd one doesn’t matter. You’ve got to learn to connect with your unconscious mind and change the program there about that first shot. I worked with a local golfer who is trying to get to the tour and the one thing we came up with for him was to say to himself during his preshot routine “This shot doesn’t matter…it’s just me swinging the club because I love swinging the club” in order to change his reason for swinging the club. That’s letting go of expectations. Play because you love the game and let go of score.
      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  19. John Reed says:

    CRAIG:
    I am already in contact with my sub-conscious mind via self hypnotherapy (as I mentioned in my previous comment)- therefore, ‘AND’ and these new positives will be implemented and worked on, immediately! (I relate to your dynamic style of presentation – it certainly keeps my attention!)
    Thanks again, and regards … John

  20. Ray says:

    Craig I can relate to the mind factor. On January 10, 2010 Had a heart attack, on the 12th had triple bypass. Dr said caused by smoking. Two weeks later kicked the habit with telling my self I needed a drink of water when I felt the urge to smoke. Looking forward to trying this out on the course tommorrow.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Ray, this is really good news for your golf. The fact that you could do this suggests that you have an excellent, natural connection to your unconscious mind. Go for it, let me know how it goes.
      Greens and fairways,

      Craig

  21. Craig B says:

    Hi Craig,
    I have been doing a lot of research and work on my mental golf game over the last year or so because I agree with your message and method and I’m going to use the and technique.
    Its exactly like in the first Matrix movie when Neo is first training and he is told “don’t think, Believe”

    Here’s something that I think can help everyone:
    As a junior I played off scratch So needed to shoot 3 under to play to my handicap round my home course. After Overcoming the initial mental barrier of breaking par I discovered that being score focused would ruin my game. I stopped adding up after nine. It didn’t matter what my score was. Knowing only put stress to either keep the round going or need to pick up my game. I would only add my score after walking off the 18th.
    I gave up the game entirely during my twenties. I play socially now off a 7 hcp and only play about 5 serious comp rounds a year but I still don’t tally till after the round. Almost everyone I play with turns to me after 9 and says “I get your score as….” before they can tell me I interrupt and reply “I DON’T CARE, I Dont know or want to know – its not going to make my round any better”.

    And I’m Glad to say that I almost never have to say that I played well on the first 9 but rubbish on the second and blew a good score.

    Keep up the good work and thanks
    Cb

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Craig! This is fantastic advice. I see very little reason for most amateurs to pay attention to score and the benefits are tremendous. Thanks for commenting!
      Greens and fairways,

      Craig

  22. Allan Hutchins says:

    Love the content as it applies to me 100%. I am playing today and will approach today’s round as you have suggested and will report back. I can’t wait to really enjoy the game and all that is great about just being on the course whilst not worrying about the score!

  23. Joseph says:

    Hi Craig
    I’m working hard with a PGA pro to infuse a consistent swing in my muscles (I’m 60 years old and index 36). 300 balls a week on the practice range. But when I play on the course, I’m blocked with too many thoughts. Early this week, it took me 9 holes to become more intuitive and I had to wait holes 16 to 18 in order to perform par and boggeys only. I can perform par on a hole. But I’m too conscious to make it happen. I hope that your method will help me to play golf as I drive my car.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      HI Joseph, thanks for commenting. Yep, you are exactly the type of golfer that my methods are designed to help. The thing is…you have to practice your mental game as much as you practice your physical game. You have to practice good thinking 300 times a week just like you hit 300 balls. Golfers don’t do this and then are surprised when they don’t have control of their mind on the course. I’m giving you the tools…run with them!!
      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  24. Charlie says:

    Craig,

    The real test I have is playing in my senior league. These guys LOVE to talk even to the point of talking and giving you advice as you are on the tee box or fairway read to hit your shot. How to you crowd out those last nano second comments?

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi Charlie, I bet there’s been times when you were watching your favorite show at home…and you’re totally into it. And someone calls to you from the kitchen…and you don’t even hear it. How did you do that? You did it because you were FOCUSED on your show.

      When your buddies are talking while you’re up on the tee, you are focused on them if you hear them. In addition, it bothers you because you RELATE what that they might be saying to your score. I’ve got another FOCUS technique coming in the next videos. Practice these at home. Imagine being on the teebox and your buddies talking while you are doing them.
      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  25. NameChico Alvarez says:

    I really enjoy listening to you on how to be a better golfer. I’m taking this to the golf course and I’m playing alot better. Thank You for taking time time to help us Saturday morning golfers.

  26. Monica says:

    Hi
    I am trying this but hasn’t done anything for my clubhead speed?
    Will it or am I not putting AND in the right place?
    Thanks

    • Craig Sigl says:

      HI Monica, AND world is about going with your emotions and not fighting them…thus, reducing fear-causing tension. That may or may not have anything to do with Clubhead speed for you. Tension is the problem for our golf swing and putting stroke for sure but how fast you swing is dependent on many variables. You may need to improve your flexibility or core strength in order to increase clubhead speed.
      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  27. Dave Williams says:

    Did you pay the Valley course at Sawgrass Friday 7/26?

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi Dave, hahaha. No, I live in Seattle and play Washington and Oregon courses primarily. Funny you ask that…people often tell me they think they’ve met or seen me before in places I’ve never been to. Must have a common face or something. Thanks for commenting.
      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  28. Eric says:

    Craig,

    I understand the concepts. However, how can I identify or differentiate when there is or may be a technical issue? For example, last year I was hitting my wedges, very accurately even at full swings. This year more often than not, I hit about 6″ behind the ball causing a FAT shot. This happens both under pressure and when there is no pressure; just playing with friends. It happens when I’m very positive about the shot and I may not even be thinking that I’m struggling with that particular shot.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      HI Eric,

      Good question. If you go to a golf instructor, they will always tell you that it’s a technical issue because that’s all they know. If you come to me, I’m going to tell you it’s ALL a mental issue (so long as you’ve hit great shots before). I haven’t been to a swing instructor in decades…I solve all my problems myself with a little experimentation and inner communication. You said “more often than not” which suggests that you sometimes DO hit good shots. Your goal should be to improve your inner communication so that when you do it correctly, you imprint that this is what you want more of…you focus on the good shots. You think daily about repeating what works. You sleep on those thoughts. You keep telling your unconscious mind that this is how you hit your wedges. You never give up on this.

      Alternatively, you can go see a pro who can help you design a drill that can help ingrain the correct motion. Repetition is also inner communication to your unconscious mind although it takes more time and energy.

      Hope all that helps. Watch my videos to learn more about inner communication.

      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  29. Pierrick says:

    HiCraig
    for more than twenty years I am working as a therapist using NLP (learned with R.Dilts and Ressources of Bruxell )and TA( Transactional Analysis )
    I am very impatient to see the other videos,because Iknow that you have a lot of things to present to the people who can see,ear or feel what you give us
    THANKS
    pierrick

  30. MAC says:

    Craig

    In the past year I have switched to not worrying about the score and just enjoying the shots you need to make but I have to say that even though I enjoy the golf more, at times I think my score suffers because I spend to much time enjoying and not enough time focusing on what I need to do to make the shot. I look forward to see what the future brings.

    Thanks
    MAC

    • Craig Sigl says:

      MAC, that’s funny for me to read because that is my biggest problem as well! It seems we have to find a balance between focus and relaxation. For me, it’s about being totally focused for that half minute while doing the pre-shot routine and then letting loose the rest of the time. Sometimes I just go out there and just have a beer and really don’t care about scoring. I’ll play golf for that reason any day! 🙂
      greens and fairways,

      Craig

  31. Steve says:

    So far so good. Looking forward to next series

  32. Luis says:

    Great Ceaser’s ghost. Where have you been hiding? I was a decent golfer when I started some 15 years ago,was even able to break 80 on several occasions. Then something happened: I got caught up in all the instructions on how to play better golf, and on the road to improving my game,(ha),I forgot that in all sports the unconscious mind is the true champ.I completely abandoned my other self and in so doing my game abandoned me. Thanks for reconnecting us. Great advise. Look forward to learning more from your knowledge of the mind.

    Luis

    P.S. I have begun studying NLP. Pretty interesting stuff.

  33. Evon says:

    Craig,

    I didn’t get the free book. Can you please send an address from which I can try to download it again? Loved the “AND” video. It has helped me to focus much better especially when I’m putting.

  34. Evon says:

    Hi Craig,
    After watching your second video two times, I went to the course this morning. I really focused on what I loved about golf and interestingly enough that thought process kept me calm all morning. This was especially good considering I was playing with “one of those players” that can really get under your skin. I lowered my score (not as much as I was hoping) but the best thing was, I shot many more pars and felt really good about my game. Ordinarily I would be down and beating myself up over not achieving the score I wanted to shoot. I am really looking forward to lesson 3 and you almost have me sold. Thank you for the info you’ve given so far.

    • Craig Sigl says:

      Hi Evon,

      I’m very happy to be a part of your improvement! Sounds like you took some big steps in getting control of your mind…nice work! You’re welcome.

      greens and fairways,

      Craig

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