Destination: The Zone

I'm completely focused, yet it feels as if I'm focused on nothing at all.?

I don't have to think; all my decisions seem to be predetermined.?

I pick out a target, swing the club, and somehow the ball goes where I aim – almost as if it had a mind of its own.?

Time seems to stand still. Suddenly, I'm putting out on eighteen

even though it seems I just teed off on the first hole.? I feel relaxed yet energized.?

My body feels so light it's as if I'm walking on air.? It's like an out-of-body experience. I seem to be one of the gallery, watching in awe as I perform.?

The above comments were recorded from golfers who responded to the following statement.? “Describe in detail what it's like when you play your best golf.”? When these same golfers were asked what it's like when they play poorly, they commented:?

It's too much like work.?

I feel heavy, uncoordinated and tire very easily- both physically and mentally.?

The round seems to take forever.?

I think about the bad shots, my ever-escalating score, and what's wrong with my mechanics.

Then I try to correct those mistakes.? I see and hear everything. I think I can even hear and feel

the worms crawling in the ground under my feet.?

When asked what precipitated their poor play or what they did differently to put themselves in The Zone, the golfers believed they “they didn't do anything differently.” Their preparation, pre-round practice and focus all seemed to be exactly alike in both situations.?

The Science of Peak Performance?

Sport Scientists interested in extraordinary athletic performance have studied the phenomenon known as The Zone for some time and have isolated several factors consistent with every great performance regardless of the human endeavor.?

Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago and author of Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Performance, is considered the foremost authority on peak performance and extraordinary human experiences.? He states that while you can't force Zone-like experiences, you can still invite “Flow” by preparing for greater challenges, removing distractions, and learning to focus.? Dr. Csikszentmihalyi also states that “Flow” is the result of very specific, almost ritualistic, pre-event routines that cause you to become oblivious to everything accept the task at hand.? Here are some common elements that are consistent in every great performance.?

1.???? Mental and physical relaxation.? The mind and body work in perfect harmony

2.???? Confidence. No fear of failure or making mistakes.? Oblivious to danger.

3.???? Perform in the Present. No thoughts of past or future events

4.???? Narrow focus of attention. One thought controls all actions and behaviors.

5.???? Positive energy. Complete enjoyment of activity and energized by the performance.? There is also a feeling of lightness.

6.???? Automatic control.? Everything occurs instinctively without effort or thought, both mentally and physically – no sense of exerting or imposing control.? The feeling of being completely detached from the environment and time so that potential distraction does not interfere with the performance.

7.???? Freedom. They perform without stress, tension, and anxiety, no matter how important or stressful the situation.?

Isn't this how you would like to play golf?? I know I do.? Isn't this how you would like all of life to be?? My answer is yes. While we may not always be able to live, play, or work in The Zone we can take steps to make that a greater possibility – not just when we stumble into it accidentally.

If you have questions or comments or want to learn how to access The Zone or establish a Zone Mindset, you can contact me on this platform or email me [email protected] .