I receive many calls from golfers all around the world and its always interesting to hear the many different stories they tell.
Some have trouble bringing their range game to the golf course, others struggle with negativity and self doubt. There are others who allow poor shots and bad breaks to ruin their rounds and some lack confidence, dont feel positive and simply dont enjoy themselves as much as theyd like.
No matter what their story, there remains one common thread among them and that commonality is: Intelligence!
Youre intelligent arent you?
Of course you are. Im not talking about an I.Q over 150 or doing brain surgery intelligentIm talking about simple intelligence. Every golfer I talk to has intelligence. They study the game in some fashion and they read books, watch The Golf Channel to learn more and they take lessons. They know about the game of golf and they can describe their issues very, very intelligently.
When I ask them if they think they are intelligent they say, SureI hope so. Intelligence is truly not the issue so what I often tell them is this, You are quite intelligent but not very wise. The response to this is either immediate acceptance and acknowledgment of this truth or a complete denial and rejection such as, What are you talking about? No way thats true!
Ahhh but on closer inspection you might discover that it is. Most golfers I know are strong in their analytical side. In fact, they over use this strength when they over think, over analyze and over try on the course (and for many’off the course as well). You can probably relate to this if youve ever attempted to kill the golf ball. This is a classic case of over trying and it simply doesnt work.
These are intelligent people just like you, right? Intelligent, yes. Wise, no.
Think about it. Is it really intelligent or logical to react to a poor shot with anger, negativity and circulate tension throughout your body? Is it intelligent to make poor decisions out of anger or frustration? Is it intelligent or even logical to feel unworthy, undeserving and under perform time and time again? Our intelligence and strong sense of logic would answer this with a resounding NO. Yet, this is what so many golfers do. With all their intelligence and logic they sabotage their games in any number of ways. How intelligent is that? Need more proof? How many intelligent, rational and logical people do you know continue to under achieve in life or under perform on the course, at their jobs or in relationships?
Intelligence is truly not the issue. Wisdom is. Intelligence without wisdom can lead you toward unrealized potential leading to frustration.
It is clear that intelligence is not THE factor in achieving what you want yet many people think it is (this is one of the intelligent errors that intelligence makes). If youre not convinced, look around and notice how many intelligent/smart people make poor choices, under achieve, feel burned out or are unhappy.
Wisdom, on the other hand removes the blinders from our eyes. We are more alert, aware and things are simplified. In fact, I often tell people I teach three things:
1. Wisdom
2. Simplicity
3. Flexibility
All of these translate into clear thinking, high awareness, better choice making, an ease of flow and focus and a high level of enjoyment which further translates into optimal performance. Know anyone who doesnt want these things? They are not a result of intelligence.
Wisdom, simplicity and flexibility allow your performance to express itself rather than trying so hard to get what you want. While others remain stuck and confused, you are wise and this highly influences everything you do.
Wisdom is far more powerful than intelligence could ever be.
The question is: are you intelligent or are you wise? There is a distinct difference and it affects everything you do.
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David Breslow is a National Speaker, Author and Performance Consultant. His book, Wired To Win is available at 888.280.7715. David works with clients all over the world via telephone so it doesnt matter where you live, work or play! His clients include professional athletes (PGA, LPGA and other sports), juniors and all amateurs. He also works with Businesses of all sizes. He brings a fresh, direct, no-nonsense revolutionary approach to Human Performance, helping people make quicker and more powerful shifts in attitude, behavior and action. David is the weekly Mental Game Columnist for Golf Channel where his articles are read by over 4000,000 people. For more info please visit: www.theflowzone.net, email: daviddavid@theflowzone.net or call: 847.681.0247
