Pool/golf mental game

keith@greatbilliards · 2011-04-19T16:02:44+00:00

I am a serious golfer who also plays a lot of pool. I have a 3 handicap in golf and am ranked a B to B+ player. Also some time ago I wrote a book on the mental side of golf. When I returned to playing pool after stopping for 33 years I started to think about how both these great games are similar. So I came up with 11 mental things that can be applied to both games. Let me know what you think? 1) Accepting the outcome: If you take a hard shot and it's missed, it's ok. Don't beat yourself up. 2) Expect the unexpected: If your opponent makes a crazy shot expect it. Don't get caught up in his game and a lucky shot, this way when you get to the table it's not weighting on your mind. 3) Visualization: Visualize the shot going in before hitting it and where is cue ball will end up. Before getting into position to take the shot stand back and visualize both the shot going in but also where you want the cue to end. Be very precise because this will help to perfect your cue ball control. If the cue ball ends up off an inch or two that's ok. 4) Positive thinking and putting the past behind you: Believe you can make any shot or safety. Don't ever take a shot or play a safety if you have doubt in you mind. Once you commit to a shot and if you were to miss it, it's over put it behind you. The last thing you want is to get back up to the table with that weighing on you mind. 5) Play for yourself not others: Don't try to impress others, just play for yourself. Play for the fun of the game and the challenge it represents. In the long run nobody cares. Ask anyone what someone else did last month in a game and then won't be able to tell you. So simply have fun and play for yourself. Also remember it's only a game don't put unneeded pressure on yourself. (this is more for amatuers and new comers who become too caught up in results). 6) Staying in the present: Don't think about when I win this game I will ...... It's important to keep your head in the now (present). Once a ball is pocketed then think only of the next ball to be pocketed. The match is over only when the last ball is pocketed. 7) Free your mind from Distractions: Work to keep other thoughts out of your head. Quiet the voices in your head and keep the whispering doubts or when I beat this guys I will....out. Don't allow you mind to see someone moving or watching etc.. There should be no distractions. If a stick should fall to the fall and make a bang while in the middle of a shot and you make it someone might say good concentration and if you are truly mind is truly free of distraction you might say what noise? 8) Stop trying so Hard: Don't put pressure on your self by saying if I miss this one then....... You won't play better because you try harder. Trying harder usually adds tension to your stroke and tension is the number 1 killer in a good stroke. 9) Patience: This is the best advise. If you want to run the table and you have an almost impossible shot don't try it when it could be just as effective to play safe and wait. You will win more games if you play patiently. 10) The Routine: Develop a sound routine and don't deviate. An example of a routine is after each shot stand up chalk your stick, survey the table, visualize the shot and where the cue ball will end, then commit to the shot and go. This should be done every shot with no exception. 11) Focus: Stay focused if distracted step away, refocus and restart the routine. Hopes this help some players.