What Tiger’s eyes can tell us about breathing, meditation and winning at golf.
I wanted to share some feedback from a newsletter reader which landed in my inbox shortly after I wrote this article about how Tiger’s early training in Tai Chi and his return to Buddhist meditation practice contributed to his epic triumph at The Masters after spending a decade in the wilderness.
THE LOOK IN TIGER’S EYES
“Hi Jayne, Fantastic article! Thanks for sharing it. As a fellow Tai Chi practitioner (ex-athlete & golfer) I wanted to share my own observation with you. I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the Masters (Friday) and just happened to find myself two feet away from Tiger as he walked to No. 8
His eyes!!! Wow, I want to say intensity or focus but they are not the right words. It was more than that. Neither too much nor too little but clearly in the zone of one-ness.
It was so apparent to me that he was operating from a different space compared to everyone else. (I spent the rest of the day getting close enough to the other golfers to see what their eyes were like!!!)
I don’t agree with those who say he was intimidating – that’s not what it felt like. His was pure presence – like that space we sometimes go to in Tai Chi (nowhere and everywhere, the same as Meditation).
His eyes looked like they were in dual-vision mode – seeing inside and outside simultaneously and not having to switch from one focus to the other.” – Gill C, 8 handicap, Atlanta GA
That’s just incredible feedback from Gill and clearly echoes what I was seeing, albeit watching the tournament unfold on television from the comfort of my living room!
OPERATING FROM A DIFFERENT SPACE
One of the key things that struck me from Gill’s message was her appraisal that Tiger was “operating from a different space” and that he was “seeing inside and outside simultaneously”. You’ll know something of this already if you’ve read my book Breathe GOLF, particularly the chapter on ‘Dividing Your Attention.’
But…if this cartoon (by David Sipress at The New Yorker) is anything to go by (and thanks to my student John F. in California for sending it to me!) it seems that the general experience of meditation is difficult to say the least…so how can you hope to use it to improve your golf, let alone emulate the performance practice of one of the greatest golfers of all time?
First of all, meditation is not meant to be easy! Otherwise everyone would be doing it!
Secondly, from my experience training and teaching over three decades, there is only ONE thing separating you from Tiger Woods.
Practice. Practice. Practice.
Thirdly, it helps to be guided by someone who’s practised for longer than you.
Even now, I still travel up to London once or twice each week to practice with my teachers so that I can help take my students on a fascinating journey of transformation where they can discover the link between inner stillness and fluidity of movement and moreover they can begin to understand how to train for and access “the zone” even in times of pressure.
A BIT OF SCIENCE
The daily practice of meditation increases the cross-linking of neurons in the brain where the zone is facilitated; this enables the practitioner to drop into this space when necessary (i.e. when standing over a clutch putt) as it’s been pre-programmed by the formation of clusters of nerve cells which become hardwired and allow direct access to this coveted state in times of pressure such as when you just have to make the shot…but this can only occur following regular practice!
RESULTS
What’s the outcome of this for the competitive amateur?
Well, just this week alone I’ve heard from two students who have persisted with their training and experienced a higher level of performance.
Erik (who’s playing off 24 in Oxfordshire) is enjoying better ball striking and consistency and has recently won two matches. I’ve also heard from Martin in Ireland who has won two interclub matches, beating his handicap by four shots (despite driving the ball right into the trees eight times in the round!) as he manged to keep cool, stay with his breathing, activate the zone and finish the game with a handicap of 10.9 – the lowest of his life.
So it’s as simple and as challenging as doing your practice day by day, retraining the brain to access a different space than analytical thinking, swing thoughts, mental game tips and so forth.
ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?
There are a number of ways you can move forward with this.
Learn on your own with my book ‘Breathe GOLF; The Missing Link to a Winning Performance’ which documents everything you need to know from the history and philosophy of meditation, how to practice, how to set-up a training routine, integrate it into your game, prepare for competition and apply during contention. Order now from Amazon.co.uk or from Amazon.com
OR You can learn with me 1-1 in Berkshire/Hampshire or over Skype.
Request information on Breathe GOLF Personal Training
Chi Performance is the practice of high performance.
It’s the same training Tiger Woods has done all his life.
Are YOU up to the challenge?
