In this Thanksgiving week of giving thanks and being grateful, I want to share with you a powerful story about the all-time great Gary Player and his attitude of gratitude.
About 20 years ago, a friend of mine was running the Bell South Champions Tournament in Nashville. I asked if I could place copies of my golf psychology book, Mentalrules for Golf, in the lockers of all the players as a gesture of goodwill. He agreed, and I took the time to sign each book, offer my best wishes, and provided my contact information.
To my surprise, out of the entire field of players, the only one who took the time to call me and thank me for the book was the legendary Gary Player. This was a man whose career was the epitome of success—yet he was the only one who reached out (and he was clearly the most famous and accomplished player in the field.)
This moment taught me something powerful: Gary Player embodies what I like to call an “Attitude of Gratitude.” Here’s the key takeaway: Gary’s attitude wasn’t just a nice quality—it was his secret weapon for success on the golf course. Gratitude played a central role in his ability to perform at his best, not just physically, but mentally.
When you approach golf with an attitude of gratitude, something incredible happens. You begin to reduce your anxiety and stress. Think about it: how can you feel nervous or overwhelmed when you are truly grateful for the opportunity to play?
So, how can you apply this powerful concept to your own game? The next time you find yourself feeling anxious or overwhelmed, take a moment to shift your focus. Remind yourself of how fortunate you are to be on the course, to be competing, to be healthy, and to have the opportunity to pursue your passion.
Embrace that gratitude, and let it be the antidote to any anxiety you may be feeling.This attitude of gratitude isn’t just a nice thought—it’s a proven mental game strategy that can help you become the golfer you aspire to be.
Just like Gary Player, you can harness the power of gratitude as your secret weapon for lowering your competitive anxiety and elevating your game.Remember, your mental game is just as important as your physical skills. By cultivating a mindset of gratitude, you’ll not only improve your performance but also enjoy the game on a deeper level.
About the author: Dr. Gregg Steinberg was voted by Golf Digest as one of the world’s greatest sport psychologist. He has worked with many PGA and LPGA players. To see more articles like this one, please visit the International Golf Psychology Association on-line course at www.masteringgolfpsychology. This course is approved by the PGA for continuing education and if you use the promo code pga89 to get the course for $89 instead of $399. If you want to work on your mental game with Dr. Gregg, please e-mail mentalrules24@msn.com and to see more about him visit www.DrGreggSteinberg.com.
