THIS week, our Mates members trialling the Pro Golf IQ program discuss how they have settled into their first fortnight using the program.
Following last week's report on the Mates' initial reactions to the Pro Golf IQ program, Mark, Louise, Simon, Sarah and Steven have told Golf Link about their ongoing experience using the five-week mind coaching course.
One issue Adelaide's Mark Sheldon has with his game is the tendency to crumble under pressure leading to frustration from playing a poor shot.
“Session three saw me settling right into the program,” Mark said after completing the second week. “I am feeling more and more relaxed with each session.
"Visualisation is becoming second nature and being ‘quiet of mind’ over the ball is paying off.
“I can easily envisage balancing my brain but ask: am I doing so correctly?”
"As we all use our imaginations differently,” said Pro Golf IQ's creator Pete Nicholson, “there is no precise science as to if your visualisation techniques are right or wrong. The Pro Golf IQ program lays the foundation and, importantly, the process Mark is using works for him."
Sarah Russell, a member of North Adelaide Golf Club, currently plays off 14.9 but has been struggling with her game in recent months.
"My game is still going badly but I am trying to breathe and stay calm," explained Sarah.
"I am still enjoying the trigger of someone hitting the ball. Overall I feel calmer within and remember to take a deep breath, visualize and clear my mind before I hit the ball.
"The hardest thing I am finding is visualizing the left and right sides of my brain."
Pete Nicholson said that Pro Golf IQ emails a 'Tip of the Week', and this weeks is a video showing how to easily imagine your mind's eye.
Steven Robertson, who is now playing off 9.3 after dropping five shots over the last 12 months, said he is enjoying some of the processes that come from the Pro Golf IQ program.
"I can still easily imagine the stress draining out through my fingers and toes," said Steven.
"Coming out at the end of a session, I am always amazed how great I feel on the countdown from five to one, even though I know what is coming.
"The left and right hemisphere imagination with the hot and cold, red and blue visualisation is fine, but I’m not quite sure I fully understand it."
Pete Nicholson explained this further for Steven.
"Steven shouldn't be too concerned at this stage of what it's all about, there is plenty more content and surprises in the upcoming sessions.
"At the moment, it is the subconscious mind which is soaking up the messages and in time the process becomes 'auto-pilot'."
Steven asked how Pro Golf IQ processes can be applied to his golf game.
"I'm feeling rushed on the tee. I feel like I have time to analyse the shot and take a few deep breaths, but pretty soon my playing partners are expecting to see me hit a shot.
"How can I find time to warm and cool each side of my brain?"
"When you get some time, go to the range and practice areas" Pete Nicholson recommends. "There, start to use the Pro Golf IQ techniques on every shot.
"Learning new skills, both physical and mental, can take a bit of time to master so the more you practice the easier and quicker it becomes. Just like when how a child learns to tie their shoelaces.
"After while, it will became so easy that you no longer have to actually think about doing it."
Pymble GC member Louise Hayman talked about how she found the relaxation process that Dr Jason Gregg introduces at the beginning of each Pro Golf IQ audio session.
"I feel fine and I like the process of visualising both sides of my brain and using my imagination to quieten my mind to get into the zone.
"However, while listening to the session, my mental pre-shot routine is still the hardest as I can find my mind wandering around."
"The Pro Golf IQ techniques," explained Pete Nicholson, "are new to your learning process. Don't try too hard - just relax and stay 100% committed to the sessions each week.
"It's well documented that it takes 21 days to break an old habit and replace it with new positive habits. This is why Pro Golf IQ is a five-week program and gradually builds up advanced thought patterns to get the amateur golfer thinking the same way as seasoned pros."
To learn more about the program, visit: Pro Golf IQ