Superstar

By: Gregg Steinberg, WGCA contributing writer That is the vision for Rory McIlroy.  In a recent interview, Rory did not tell the media that he wants to win more tournaments or majors, or even stay #1 in the golfing world. His vision is much greater. By winning the PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy has four majors under his belt at the ripe age of 25. But, he sees well beyond his years, as his vision is more than just to be a bright star on the PGA Tour. Rory proclaimed to the world that he wants to be the superstar of golf. Vision boosts your commitment to excellence. Rory’s vision will make him work harder every day. He will never rest on his laurels. He will dig it out of the dirt, when needed.  His vision will help make his talent shine upon the golfing world. Vision guides your destiny.  This truth has been known for thousands of years. The ancient philosopher Seneca proclaimed, “When a man does not know what harbor he is sailing for, no wind is the right wind.”  Zig Ziglar, a present-day motivational guru, has noted that the happiest people he knows are those who are working toward a vision, whereas the most bored and miserable people are drifting along with no worthwhile objectives in mind.  People who are vision-less will sail with any wind. Vision shines our motivational light. Psychologists have discovered that when mice were placed in a tub with no way out, they would stop swimming after 45 minutes and drown. However, if the mice had a light shining upon them, they would continue to swim for an unbelievable 36 hours. Our vision will keep us swimming upstream, regardless of the obstacles we will face on a daily basis. What is your vision for yourself in golf? Unfortunately, most golfers don’t have a clear vision and, most importantly, don’t allow their vision to propel their game to the next level. Here are a few steps to create a vision that you can share with your students: Step 1:  Get a vision. It is that simple. Pick a vision that is challenging but something you greatly desire. Perhaps their vision is to win the club championship, make their college team, or to be the superstar of their high school team. Step 2:  Have them select three strategies to attain their vision. If it is to win the club championship next year, then one of their strategies should be to practice  putting four times a week for 15 minutes. Step 3:  Have them visualize their vision as a reality. They need to visualize what it would feel like when they attain their vision. This will greatly promote their commitment to making the vision a reality. Henry David Thoreau once stated, “In the long run, people hit only what they aim at.” I would add, “We need to know where to aim.” Dr. Gregg Steinberg is the sports psychologist for the USGTF. He is a  regular guest every Wednesday on “Talk of the Tour” heard on Sirius/XM PGA TOUR Radio. He is a tenured professor of sports psychology and has been the mental game coach for many Tour players.  Dr. Steinberg is the author of the bestselling golf psychology book MentalRules for Teaching Golf. Please visit him at www.drgreggsteinberg.com.