This tip is primarily for parents, friends or gallery of a player. If you are well versed in "The Mental Keys to Improve Your Golf", you understand that the outcome and winning is merely a by-product of the process.

Unfortunately, most individuals in the gallery and golfers judge performance based solely upon the outcome or score. The only purpose the outcome serves is to provide feedback as to how well a golfer is executing the process and how to get better. The score is only a means to determine a golfer's level of progress. Mastering the process is the ultimate goal.

If you are in the gallery and truly want to help the golfer that you are watching (especially if it's your child or friend), don't react to a less than desired shot with a negative outward display that the golfer will see. Notice that I said less than a desired shot, instead of a bad golf shot. If a golfer learns from the feedback, all golf shots are good because they provide the feedback needed to make the necessary adjustments to get better.

If you really want to help a golfer that you are rooting for from the gallery, read "The Mental Keys" and encourage the golfer to do the same. Once both of you are on the same page, help the golfer to stop judging him or herself based upon the outcome. When he or she achieves less than the intended results from a golf shot and looks over at you for moral support, make sure that you have a smile on your face as a sign that you both realize that golf is not a game of perfect.

Better yet, smile and raise one of your hands with four fingers pointed up as a signal to remind the golfer to use the 4-step routine to learn from the feedback and shake off any negative reactions to the less than desired outcome. Using the 4-step routine will relax and refocus the golfer on the process of preparing for the next shot instead of agonizing over the previous outcome.

It takes a strong and disciplined mind to ignore the outcome and focus totally on improving the process. If you are watching from the gallery and react negatively to the outcome, you are making it harder for golfers to stay focused on trusting the processes that they are doing their best to master in order to achieve the desired outcome.

To help from the gallery, don't be part of the problem by becoming emotionally wrapped up in less then desired outcomes. Instead, become part of the solution by being a positive beacon when your child or favorite golfer is in distress and looks to you for support.

If you have not read "The Mental Keys To Improve Your Golf", you will benefit greatly from my book by seeing the whole picture instead of just pieces contained in my mental tips. My book gives you the tools and my CD "Polish the Wheel" makes it easy to use them.
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