Monday, November 30, 2009

The Artful Interview

As I've shared before, I read the book "Extraordinary Golf" by Fred Shoemaker about 6 months after I picked up the game of golf at the age of 46. I shot 76 the very next day. Now 50, and after nearly 5 years of applying Fred's principles, my handicap is down to 2 and I'm continuing to improve. In fact, I just experienced my best weekend of golf ever, shooting 68 on Saturday and 72 on Sunday, with 6 birdies in each round! Ironically, this follows some of my worst golf in months.

My learning experience has had many ups and downs and has certainly been very frustrating at times, but every time I return to Fred's approach and get out of my own way, I seem to get back on track.

This afternoon, I read an interview with Fred, which I'm passing along here with the hope that inspires others to try this unique approach to the game too. As Fred explains, it's not a mental approach, it's simply a matter of trust and being present -- and you don't have to fix something you trust.

A Top Teach Talks

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Visit: San Luis Obispo Golf Guide

Posted at 4:03 PM : 1 Comments

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

That Artful Gravity

"Why I love the games so baffles me until I realize that it's not the results that are important, it is what you learn while expecting excellence at each opportunity the game affords. That terminal gravity keeps our feet on the ground and our hearts in a gracious and giving place." ~SIS Member, Jimmy Stewart

Source: Shivas Irons Society - Facebook

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Visit: San Luis Obispo Golf Guide

Posted at 6:21 AM : 0 Comments

Sunday, November 8, 2009

The Artful Mind

"Taking too many lessons without practicing, and reading too many golf instruction articles can make anyone crazy... Most golfers need more mind power programming, and to just get out and play the game!"
~Randy Friedman, Golf mind power beyond the course

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Visit: San Luis Obispo Golf Guide

Posted at 6:06 AM : 1 Comments

Golf as Art

When you disappear, Golf as Art shows up. The resulting void is where all the important discoveries, personal development, satisfaction, joy and fulfillment take place.
–Fred Shoemaker, Extraordinary Golf

Swing motion at its highest level is the uninterrupted flow of natural rhythm from within.
–Tom Woods, True Golf

Your enemy is expectation. Your ally is detachment. The game isn't the process, the game is the dream.
–Kris Barkway, The Magician's Way

A great golf shot is a thing of beauty. Repeating it is an art.
–Mark Guadagnoli, Practice to Win

Golf is performance art and there's no right and wrong in art. You're free to play however you want.
–Grayden Provis, Golf = Life

Artful Milestones

  • Mar 05 - Started playing (1 rd/week)
  • Jun 05 - Broke 80 (21st round)
  • Nov 05 - Increased play (2 rds/week)
  • Jan 06 - Under 10 Index (54th round)
  • Jan 06 - 10 GIR (62nd round)
  • Mar 06 - Less than 30 Putts (75th round)
  • Aug 06 - First Eagle (124th round)
  • Aug 06 - 5 Birdies (138th round)
  • Sep 06 - Broke 76 (146th round)
  • Oct 06 - First ACE (161st round)
  • Oct 06 - Under 5 Index (166th round)
  • Oct 06 - 13 Fairways (169th round)
  • Dec 06 - Broke 72 (184th round)
  • Dec 06 - 70's Streak (9/10 rounds)
  • Feb 07 - Under 4 Index (219th round)
  • Feb 07 - 15 GIR (219th round)
  • Oct 07 - 24 Putts (298th round)
  • Jan 08 - 70's Streak (12 rounds)
  • Jan 08 - Second ACE (332nd round)
  • Apr 08 - Par from Tips (370th round)
  • May 08 - Under 3 Index (382nd round)
  • Aug 08 - 50th Course (420th round)
  • Nov 08 - Broke 70 (460th round)
  • Dec 08 - 16 GIR (472nd round)
  • May 09 - 60th Course (510th round)
  • May 09 - 7 Birdies (511th round)
  • May 09 - Broke 70 (511th round)
  • May 09 - Under Par Streak (2 rounds)
  • May 09 - Under 80 Streak (13 rounds)
  • May 09 - Broke 70 (520th round)
  • May 09 - Under 2 Index (520th round)
  • Jun 09 - 70th Course (538th round)
  • Aug 09 - Third ACE (556th round)
  • Aug 09 - Broke 70 (559th round)
  • Jul 10 - 100 Holes at Even-Par (670th round)

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