Mind Games
(sports psychology)

Discipline: Training That Strengthens - Develop a system of rules for conduct

by Dr. Rick Jensen

By far the most blaring characteristic that stands out among all of the world's best athletes is "discipline." "Discipline" is defined by Webster as "training that strengthens; a system of rules for conduct."

I have yet to meet a top player who lacks discipline. When you consider golf's greatest players, is there any question whether they were disciplined individuals or not? Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Betsy King, and Pat Bradley are all individuals with unquestionable discipline. Today, we see the same trend with players like Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb, Greg Norman, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods - all examples of disciplined athletes.

For many people, the word "discipline" takes on a negative connotation. These individuals may view discipline as something imposed upon them and thus something to be avoided. Some people feel constrained or restricted by the boundaries established by living a disciplined lifestyle. Great golfers, on the other hand, thrive on the discipline that they "choose" to guide their day-to-day choices. Discipline is evident throughout the lives of top players&endash;in the food they eat, in their sleeping habits, in their practice habits, in their course management decisions, and in their business endeavors. Top players operate their lives much the same as would a successful business. Like a Fortune 500 company, top players establish systems that enhance their athletic development and ensure continuous improvement.

One example of a system that top players utilize to enhance their golf skills is their training system. The discipline exhibited in a top player's training regimen is no less than phenomenal. What to many would seem obsessive, perfectionistic, and monotonous, would be commonplace to a top touring pro. Pros have a purpose, and a very detailed one at that, for everything they do during their training. They do not simply "beat balls" and play golf with no intent. Because they have very little free time, tour pros demand that their instruction time, workouts and practice periods are of the highest quality. Time management is of the essence.

Top players practice religiously, not just when their games fall apart. They eat well, sleep well, stay fit, limit their alcohol intake, stretch regularly, practice hard, maintain regular contact with their instructor, and often raise a family to boot. Sounds exhausting, doesn't it? It is! The sense of personal accomplishment is what it is all about. Accomplishment from a player's standpoint is not necessarily defined by the number of tour wins, even though winning is a desired and intended outcome. Instead, top players experience accomplishment through completion of daily training goals. The self-fulfillment experienced by a player who has set high goals and followed a disciplined program in order to reach these goals is fantastic.

To be more specific, here are a few of the concrete examples of discipline that I see among top players with whom I work:

¥ Hitting 100 putts in a row from 4 feet every day

¥Working out from 6 am - 8 am six days per week

¥Stretching for 15 minutes before every practice session and round of golf

¥Warming up for 1 hour before every competitive round

¥Practicing for another two hours in 90 degree weather after having just completed a five hour tournament round

¥Flying across the country to work for a half-day with their instructor

¥Managing a business while continuing to play golf at a tour level

¥Hitting 600-800 balls per day, focusing only on one drill the entire time

¥Not eating any sweets until December

Okay, I'll have to admit that last one could take its toll on chocolate lovers; however, it does reflect the words Webster uses to define "discipline" - a system of rules for conduct. As you can see, the aforementioned examples demonstrate golfers' abilities to establish specific rules or behaviors that they feel will contribute to their success as world-class golfers. Stop and ask yourself, what behaviors do you do regularly that demonstrate your discipline as a golfer? How can you become more disciplined in your approach to your game? Are you around others who exemplify discipline, or are your peers keeping you from seeing what great players do? Do you have a well-established instruction and training program for enhancing your golf game? Do you practice what your teaching pro preaches?

Discipline does not have to be something imposed upon you by someone else. Top players impose it upon themselves. Pros obtain the information, knowledge, and training strategies from qualified experts and then have the discipline to build great habits on their own.

Carpe diem! Seize the day - it is never too late to introduce discipline into your golf game! Surround yourself with instructors, trainers, consultants, and other great players, and demonstrate the discipline to integrate what you learn into your daily schedule. The benefits will be right around the corner.

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Dr. Rick Jensen is President of the Performance Enhancement Center of Boca Raton and the Director of Sport Psychology at the Academy of Golf, PGA National Resort and Spa. He works extensively with touring pros on the PGA, LPGA, Nike and Golden Bear Tours, and is a frequent lecturer at golf clubs nationwide. He can be reached at 561-852-3603.