He Sees And Feels His Future!

The first step to reaching any goal is creating a long term mental picture of what we want, then work backwards to present day. If we can see and especially FEEL this picture, we're more likely to acquire these goals.


I recently began working with Curtis, a college golfer, with dreams of playing on the PGA Tour. Our first assignment was to create a detailed, long term future visual of what he saw for himself. This is what he wrote... amazing stuff:

The picture is clear as day in my mind. I can see, feel, and create every emotion and part of the routine and attitude I am creating.

The day starts early, at 6:30, I’m up stretching four hours before the first round of the  2017 Masters . It’s my second season on tour and I’ve made a few cuts and cashed some checks in the first few events. I’ve just come off a great rookie season where I’ve risen to 50^th in the world. . It’s been a good long road, and my development has been a gradual, steady, consistent one. I’ve made the jump from a steady DII player to a Canadian Tour/Hooters player, played a few other big tours around the globe, and have finally made it to the biggest stage.

After the stretch/warmup with my trainer, I leave the fitness room at the house we are staying at. I’m calm, relaxed, and confident throughout the morning and seem to always do things at a slower pace on tournament days. There is an article in the newspaper about my rookie success thus far in the season, but I don’t read it. I don’t like to pay any attention to the media, and just worrying about the things that I can control.

After breakfast, my parents, and my caddy, head to the course to meet the rest of my team. The town is buzzing with the Masters hype, and I can feel it as we pull into the gates of Augusta National. As we pull into the player’s parking area I can see the crowds gathering around the range. I part ways with the family and head towards the range with my caddy, one of my best friends. We are approached by a lot of friends and fans and I quickly say hello and continue to the range. On tournament days, I am very focused and structured so work needs to be done.

We head inside the ropes and step out onto the sprawling green practice tee, surrounded by grandstands and groups of fans. My caddy sets down the bag and heads off to grab some stuff for the round. This is my first tournament round at Augusta and I’m more than ready for it. I’ve visualized the whole day several times and know every detail of my game plan. I’m very confident in myself and my game, and know that if I take care of my own routine, it’s hard to beat me.

Soon after, my coaches meet me on the range and watch me warm up. I work my way through my routine, feeling every shot and the tempo that I want to create. I watch as each ball makes its way through the sky and towards my target, time after time. However, I’m not worried about where the ball is going, and only thinking about tempo and getting loose. The sun is shining and it’s starting to heat up as I begin winding down the session. I’m feeling a little bit more nervous as I hear some of the crowd noise and gallery on the way to the putting green. 

I have felt these nerves before and thrive on them. They are why I play the game. I love this feeling and know that I am a player that always excels under them. I’m concentrating on my breathe and begin to feel myself getting calmer and more relaxed. Tournaments are not won or lost on the first day, and I know I’ll stay patient no matter what happens in the first few holes. I stroke a few putts on the perfect greens that all seem to find the back of the hole. I see the line and feel the speed that they need to be on, and don’t see anything else but them going in.  After a few lag putts and a last minute chat with my coaches, I head through the gallery to the first tee.

I recognize some friends and family in the crowds, but it’s game time now. My only focus is on my game and I know it’s at the best shape it’s ever been. My swing is compact and on plane, my short game, which has always been my strength, is great, and I feel like I could get it up and down from anywhere on the course. My putting has always separated me from the rest, and I feel as though I always hit putts where I want to hit them.  I’m feeling confident and it shows in my body language. I’m walking tall and confident towards the tee, head up, aware that all the other players are looking at me. I notice some other players, some famous spectators, and good looking girls in the crowd, but let it all pass. Everything begins to disappear around me as I’m only thinking about my process and seeing what I want.

I take a few more deep breaths and feel myself getting looser and more relaxed. The announcer calls my name with an applause. I nod to the crowd and begin my routine. I take a few deep breaths as I tee up the ball, step backward 2 steps and feel the position and tempo I want to make in the swing. I can see the ball flight, flying towards my spot on the fairway, and can already hear the applause. I line up my intermediate target spot, complete my setup, one last look at the target, and attack. The ball feels light on the clubface and rockets towards the middle of the fairway. It’s hit perfectly…I hold the finish and nod once more to the applauding crowd.

Here we go… time to attack and play fearlessly. This is what I have worked for, and I know I am ready to win!

Curtis

(Future Masters winner)