Written by Renegade Mental Game Coach Stephen LaddCopyright 2007 RMTforGolf.com

"There is no way you can focus your mind and efforts to succeed if you’re brimming over with self-doubts. Your level of performance has a way of living up to prior expectations and, if you start off believing you’re going to have a bad day, you will. Errors tend to multiply and, if you have a bundle of self-doubts, you won’t be able to cope with the problems and the failure that will follow." Arnold Palmer  http://www.wfu.edu/wfunews/2005/051605p.html

What is Self-Belief?

It is a belief in your own ability and potential. It is the belief that you are going to be successful in a task or endeavor. It is a “CAN DO” attitude and mindset.  Self beief equals self confidence.

Do I consistently believe that I have the ability and potential to play good golf?

Do I consistently feel confident when I step up to address the ball?

Do I consistently picture a good outcome when I drive, chip, or putt?

In this article author of Tap In Golf, Stephen Ladd, describes an excellent method for using EFT on the golf course. This technique can be applied with any of the tapping scripts on this site.

 Written By Stephen Ladd ©2007 Visit Tap In Golf

This article will introduce you to the concept and practice of “energy toning” using only the fingertip points. This technique is extremely simple, highly effective, and so inconspicuous that it can be your secret weapon on the course.

The History

There are meridian points all over your body. As a matter of fact, it would be difficult to tap ANYWHERE on your body and not activate one of these points.

www.eftdownunder.com

Among the many things I learned was this concept of “energy toning”. Basically this is a simple way of continually stimulating the energy system. Wells and Lake reported excellent results in their clinical practice by having clients tap continually throughout the session. The more the better!

Although it became apparent that the actual point(s) used for the tapping made little difference, the fingertip points seemed to be the most convenient and least obtrusive.

How To Do It

This simple protocol involves using the same-side thumb to tap each of the fingertip points in sequence.

You do NOT need to think about or have a particular Focus.

To learn more visit:  www.eftdownunder.com.

Variations On A Theme

Touch and Breathe (TAB)

The TAB technique was first introduced by EFT practitioner John Diepold, and has been used effectively with the EFT protocols. The same technique can also be used with the fingertip method. Instead of tapping, simply hold each point for the duration of one (or two) breaths.

The Frictional Option

My personal preference is to use a circular “rubbing” motion over each point. This creates friction and a sense of heat.

Specific Applications To Golf

Pre-Round Visualization

The same visualization methods used with the standard tapping protocols can also be used with fingertip tapping.

On The Course

Anytime…all the time!

1) remain calm

2) instill confidence

3) better evaluate your shot

On The Green

Energy toning while on the putting green will serve you well in the three areas listed above, as well as allowing you to RELAX – a crucial element to a smooth and fluid putting stroke.

Most of my golfers continually tap/rub their fingertip points on the putting green, right up until they take their final putting grip. They report that this keeps their hands relaxed and mind at ease.

Sign Up for Stephen’sTap In Golf™ - The Golf Mental Game Mastery Newsletter



Available NowTap In Golf Vol 1

Click Here to Order Now!

Can you imagine being out on the links and not experiencing fear on any shot?

What if you could eliminate fear of the sand trap, fear of the fairway and fear of the putting green?

How great would your game be if you could walk up to that tee, see the water hazard and slam the ball over and across it?

Feature article by the author of Tap In Golf Stephen Ladd

A common question from golfers is: ‘What should I tap on if I can’t identify a particular negative emotion or issue while out on the course?’ Well, the first thing I always recommend is to tune in and listen, I mean REALLY listen, to see if you can hear or feel even the faintest voice of your ‘inner critic’. This could manifest as a ‘voice in your head’ spewing forth a ‘helpful reminder’ such as ‘the last time you were in a bunker it took you three strokes just to get out’, or it could be a physical sensation, such as tightness in your shoulders.

If you can be sensitive to these feelings and can identify them, then obviously use them for the subject matter in the TIG protocol. If you actually feel ‘clear’ and free of all such B.S. (belief systems) - then ‘Rock On’ (as my junior golfers would say). With consistent TIG work you will find yourself in this situation and frame of mind more and more often. However, it is still a good idea to perform a TIG shortcut on what I consider to be the Perfect Golf Default - Tension. Why?  

Because any amount of tension in your body is simply not conducive to your optimal golf swing. The golf swing requires fine motor control and precision timing of various body parts. Even the slightest tension in your body/mind can alter the clubface angle at impact. Just one degree can be the difference between the fairway or in the rough. And tension can be very subtle and difficult to detect at times.

Fortunately the TIG techniques work very well at clearing out tension, even if you cannot consciously feel it. So as a safeguard, perform a quick shortcut on ‘tension’ (many experienced TIG’ers will use the CB or UE or some other 1 or 2 point variation). I would suggest simply working it into your pre-shot routine (see chapters seven and eleven of TIG Volume 1 for more details). This ten second investment can save you that one degree of clubface alignment, and consequently a handful of strokes by the end of the round!

For any of you who are not yet in the TIG ‘inner circle’ and have no idea where these points are located or how easy it is to tap in to your peak potential, go over now to www.TapInGolf.com  and pick up your Free Special Report that will explain everything.

Now Available! Tap In Golf: The Ultimate Mental Game Mastery System, Volume 1 Discover the cutting-edge technique that combines centuries-old wisdom and quantum physics to quickly and easily overcome mental and emotional barriers to peak performance.

Available as an e-book for instant download and/or a spiral bound hard copy manual. www.TapInGolf.com        

With these “Comfort Zone Breaking” EFT Routines, you can burst through the limits of your current comfort zone and consistently play at your peak with composure and confidence!
Simply use the tapping script and visualization exercise at the end of this article and enjoy the benefits of breaking free of your comfort zone.
 
For some golfers a major impediment to improving their golf score–is their golf “comfort zone.”

Addressing your comfort zone in golf will help you improve your score with surprising ease. Remove the mental blocks to scoring higher and watch your game transform before your eyes. 
 
What is a Comfort Zone?
 
A Comfort Zone is a “mental barrier” that limits what you think you are capable of. A mental barrier can be a thought, pre-conceived idea or expectation you have about what you believe is and is not possible to for you to achieve.
 
Your Comfort Zone is how you “see yourself,” or what you have consistently come to expect of yourself. Your comfort zone is the place where you subconsciously think you “belong”. It is your personal mindset.
 
Recognizing Your Comfort Zone
 
If someone asks you, “What do you usually shoot?” You might reply with, “I usually shoot in the (80’s, 90’s, 70’s or whatever).” You have just defined your Comfort Zone.
 
If you are an experienced golfer you may be aware that you actually know how to hit every shot perfectly. You have probably, for example, hit the perfect drive on countless occasions. You have hit the perfect 9 iron, made the perfect 15 foot putt and so on.
 
So why don’t you shoot perfect rounds all the time? Despite all you know and all your experience, you can repeatedly fall below your optimum scores.
 
You might have the experience and ability to shoot 10 strokes better (mid-70’s) than what you are doing. But you don’t. You tend to stay in the mid-80’s. You play a round of golf and hit a blend of both “perfect shots” and “not-so-perfect” shots and almost invariably end up scoring within your Comfort Zone.

Why? Because that’s your vision of yourself.That’s who you envision yourself as a golfer to be and that image is very powerful.Sometimes you will have a fabulous front 9–let’s say a 38–which, if duplicated on the back 9, brings you to 76 instead of an 85. That is waaaay out of your comfort zone and the overwhelmingly likelihood is that you will completely blow the back 9 to bring you right back to the mid-80’s where you “belong.” But even if you should score in the 70’s your self talk is likely to be something like, “Boy, what a lucky day. I’ll never do that again.” And, of course, you will be right.

Comfort zones are very powerful things. We all have them.
 
Below are the top 3 signs of a comfort zone in action:
 
1) You get nervous, anxious, or afraid when playing better than expected. Or you pass it off as a “fluke”
2) You ’sit on your lead’ and play defensively or afraid to risk.
3) You are in ‘protect mode’ and do not want to blow your lead.

“Comfort Zone Breaking” EFT Routines

According to Larry Phillips, in his book EFT for Golfers, there are two parts to overcoming your present Comfort Zone:
 
1. You must learn how to change your mental Comfort Zone
2. You must address the specific impediments to your performance
 
Here is a useful EFT Tapping Routine to help you change your mental comfort zone and address the specific impediments to your performance.
 
Click here for tapping points 

Tapping the karate chop or rubbing the sore spot, repeat the following statements:

Even though breaking _______ seems out of reach, I choose to let it be comfortable and easy.

Even though I’m uncomfortable shooting in the high 70’s, I choose to let it be comfortable and easy.

Even though I don’t think I belong in the (high 70’s), I choose to let it be comfortable and easy.

Even I though I fear having a lower handicap, because then I will have to maintain it, I choose to let it be comfortable and easy

Even though someone my age is not likely to shoot below ______, I choose to let it be comfortable and easy

Tap the following points, repeating out aloud or in your mind the following release statements.

EB: breaking _______ is out of reach
SE: I’m uncomfortable shooting in the (high 70’s)
UE: fear a lower handicap
UN: I won’t be able to maintain a lower handicap
CH: someone my age is not like to shoot below ________
CB: I choose to let it be comfortable and easy
UA: I choose to let it be comfortable and easy
UB: I choose to let it be comfortable and easyRepeat 3 –4 rounds ending with a full round of “I choose to let it be comfortable and easy”
 
Use this routines regularly and simply substitute the statements with issues of your own that arise. Write down, list and tap on any pre-concieved ideas and expectations you have of yourself that keep you in your comfort zone.
 
Next, try out this visualisation exercise. 
 
Comfort Zone Visualisation Exercise
 
Step 1: Close your eyes and vividly imagine yourself stepping outside your comfort zone. See yourself with a lower handicap or shooting at a new level. Pay attention to and focus on any feeling of tension, anxiety or negative self-talk that arise as you imaginge yourself playing at a higher level. On a scale of 0-10, rate the intensity of the feeling. 0=no discomfort, 10=the highest level of discomfort.
 
Step 2: Tap the EFT release points continuously as you vividly imagine yourself outside your comfort zone, with all the associated feelings this brings up for you.
 
Step 3:   Rate your discomfort again after a few rounds of tapping.  Continue tapping until the intensity reaches zero.
 
 
Do this visualization regularly with any aspect affecting your comfort zone.
 
Good luck!
 
Tap n Putt your way to success!!