"It finally happened, happened...

I'm going slightly mad"

You too, perhaps? With the plethora of information - golf & other - bombarding you at every conceivable moment (if you're looking, that is)?

Who, and what to believe? What is the purpose of the bombardment? Why, mostly somebody's doing their best to accrue more of the almighty $, undoubtedly. Addicts of attention (loudest voice in the room wins!), approval (likes & follows), and appreciation (clicks & eyeballs). And you thought it was out of the goodness of the heart, targeted for your well-being?

Quadruple bogey thought, amigos.

Are you teetering at a veritable tipping point of sanity (I am)? You know: millimetres from the OB stake, one foot in the water hazard, soon to arrive in a Royal St. George's pot bunker of no return?

I understand. So did Freddie Mercury, and Queen. And yes: there is light at the end of the confusion-riddled tunnel...

First, click above. Listen, watch, absorb and process. Then, swing back this way for some ideas & insight (how about a post 4th of July freedom cocktail of real science & experience - as opposed to smooth-talking/pretty faced SM hucksters?) in the form of some light summertime reading (ain't it cool to be literate?) on how best to keep you out of the asylum on the links, and upon life's daily sidewalks.

"When the outside temperature rises
And the meaning is, oh, so clear"

Quite possible your 'madness' is being triggered from an inflamed brain; you thought inflammation was only in your joints (and body)? Uh... think again; you did get the memo about the brain & body being connected, did you not? Click on the heated image above for a quick and informative read.

Then, consider addressing the causes of any temporary confusional insanity, and aches & pains, with preventative measures (lifestyle, people) instead of throwing band-aids and ibuprofen on your mental and physical ouchies - much like most of us do with our golf swings.

A. Diagnose whatever issue may be impeding you. Not with someone's horse-feather-laden opinion, preference or bias, but with facts, truth and experienced based realities.

B. Treat accordingly; avoid the insta-fix sexiness of pixie dust, por favor.

C. Commit to the process (yes, learning & modifying take time) and you'll reap the benefits.

"Are they trying to tell you something?
You're missing that one final screw
You're simply not in the pink, my dear
To be honest, you haven't got a clue"

Yes, 'they' are trying to tell you something - but who are 'they?' #considerthesource. Honestly - do you have a clue about the best way for you to swing a golf club, shoot lower scores, and enjoy the experience more? You know - live in the pink on the links, and elsewhere. I wonder...

Have 'they' shared with you how to learn, for example (my Train2Trust program emphasizes and employs many links to the chain of learning - learning that lasts and transfers to the golf course)? And learn like a rockstar, no less. You know - like effing Einstein.

Click below on that hair to educate & inform, then keep this threesome in your back pocket at all times if you're sincere about growing, evolving and progressing:

1. Curiosity

2. Humility

3. Tenacity

How Einstein Learned Physics

That final screw? Playing better golf isn't about stumbling into some magic potion (can you say stats, physics and geometry?) boys & girls - it's about putting the different parts of performance together. Technique. Game management. Physical, mental and emotional aptitude.

Ask 2021 Champion Golfer of the Year, Collin Morikawa.

That's where the coaching and guidance comes in. Now more than ever, I and other caring teachers have been tasked with pulling desperate souls out of dangerously dark, black rabbit holes of swing, thinking & playing dysfunction. Deciphering what is real and relevant. Opting for science and experience-based solutions over trendy metabunk. Eliminating the smooth and sexy sounding solutions that actually, uh.... don't help.

But what do I know, right? And what does being smart have to do with making money? What do you think? Read on, below:

If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?

"I'm one card short of a full deck
I'm not quite the shilling"

Our Intraweb marketers are well aware a golfer's vulnerability, impressionability, and sheer idiocy, fo shu. Dealing decks of cards to a semblance of the crowd above; are you part of that motley crew?

Or, are you more into concepts that matter, facts over fiction, truths over golf park conspiracy theories? If so, I can assist. Click below for details.

And those shillings that you chase more fervently than your own golf ball... what gives, anyway? Who started that click & eyeball trend anyway? More experts in the unknown?

Human well-being in economic terms. Wowza... Now there's a novel virus - or at least it was. Keep reading for a dash of enlightenment on how you're spending your days (and hence life; thank you for the reminder, Annie Dillard..).

How Money Became the Measure of Everything

"One wave short of a shipwreck
I'm not at my usual top billing"

Welcome to the club, fellow navigators of the seas (and links). So very much that is in fact out of our control after the ball has been struck, so why the constant fretting? The game is in fact one of millimetres - so do your best from a planning, preparation and execution standpoint (rough seas, deep bunkers and high grass ahead - strategize accordingly!), then accept the final resting place of your golf ball, and relish the challenge before you.

The Claret Jug is presently in the hands of Morikawa for doing for doing just that. Immaculate pre-shot programming, combined with a few friendly bounces, despite occasional less-than-perfect execution.

And:

- Hitting his tees shots in play. Chicks do indeed dig the long ball (and yes, the game has become one of 'bomb & gauge') but Champions dig jackets and hardware...

- Hoganesque management of his iron/approach distances; have you recently been fit into a set of irons that go the farthest? Oops... How about something that launches high, so it may land soft upon the green, and feels good?

- Stellar putting. With a rather recent (are you open to change - or stuck in stubborn mediocrity?) putting grip adjustment for the shorter ones. Putting factoids: speed/distance management is THE paramount piece for longish putts; start-line/direction the essential for shortish ones. Why not adjust?

"I'm coming down with a fever
I'm really out to sea
This kettle is boiling over
I think I'm a banana tree"

Feverishly believing you have to be 'perfect,' that there's no room for error, and one mistake and it's "game over?" Wrong game, peeps. Peruse below - then stir the drink & memory of the article just below, next time you think a shot is 'important.'

‘One Mistake and It’s Game Over’: One Man’s Solo Trek Across Antarctica Unaided

I understand your angst, however, 'cause I've been there, and done that - and it shan't help your performance... 'tis golf after all, not a life or death street fight. Sure, you want to play better & score lower, but caring too much will have fruit growing out of your hair as well.

So, how to keep your system from boiling over with nerves, anxiety and stress that impedes performance?

Build a "caring scale," from 1-10. "1" is you don't give a s _ _ t (you know, you've quit and don't care at all..), "10" is you are trying as hard as you can (you know - "110%" - even though 100 is the max), 'grinding' big time. Regulate from :"6-8 please" - so your ever-savvy subconscious, instinct and intuition can do it's thing.

Put your focus and attention (yes, you are in charge, and get to choose) on what you want. The good news: your mind/body/spirit system is wired for success. The bad news: your full-of-fear conscious loves to sabotage aforementioned success. Whatcha afraid of, anyway? What might happen? C'mon back to the now, and enjoy the moment, challenge and adventure, kids.

BREATHE Mo Fo's (thanks for the reminder, Mr. Wim Hof). Oh, you think you know how, or that you are breathing when the jitters are hanging in your back pocket? Indeed - you are out to sea...

Two options here, golf park agonizers:

1. Click on skull & padlock just north of here on your screen, and take it from "The Iceman" himself.

2. 4-7-8 calming breath courtesy of Dr. Weil.

Remote and in-person coaching options at Eugene Country Club, & Puerto Los Cabos, Mexico. The development of an optimal practice program for you, your needs, and your schedule. Ideas and referrals in the equipment domain - those sticks in your bag, and your physical body. Science and evidenced-based help in achieving higher mental acuity on the course. A competent, comprehensive and on-going loop for learning, regardless of where you are on the planet.

Contact me for a consultation; click on my logo just above for further specifics.

Christopher@ChristopherSmithGolf.com

CSmith@EugeneCountryClub.com

"If sanity implies madness and faith doubt, am I basically a psychotic pretending to be sane, a blithering terrified idiot who manages, temporarily, to put on an act of being self-possessed?"

- - Alan Watts

Best,

~ CS ~