David Monks Info
Tip 1

My name is David Monks and I have just recently graduated from the University of Central Lancashire Receiving a Degree in Sport Psychology, which I am currently applying to Professional athletes in the game of golf. I have also been playing golf for around 10 years now and currently hold a handicap of 2. I have represented my local golf club, the region I play in and was chosen to represent my University for the 3 years that I studied for. Since leaving University I have worked with 2 Europro tour players along with weekly golfers just trying to win their first monthly medal. I have also given psychology seminars at a local golf club.

The aim of my involvement with these players isn’t to give them a miracle thought that allows them to shoot 59 on their next outing, but to enlighten them on how successful athletes approach their game. This can be shown through thought processes or tips, drills and even game plans set out for the individual’s game. Whichever this may be I can guarantee I can change the way you look at your golf game and maximise your potential.

If you have any further questions about the mental strategies I have offered please do not hesitate in contacting me. Alternatively to arrange a meeting to help improve your individual mental approach to golf please e-mail or ring.

Hope you find the mental tips useful and good luck!!

David Monks Bsc
djmonksey@yahoo.co.uk

Mobile - 07841651228

Tip 1 - 15/11/06
Goal Setting

What sets apart champions from great players is that they allow their dreams to become a reality. This may sound easy for me to say as I put pen to paper, but a dream is basically a long-term goal. This could be either winning your monthly medal or picking up the claret jug at the British Open. Which ever it is, there should be a clear path in how to achieve this. The most effective way to work towards this long-term goal is to implement short-term goals along the way. This will show improvement and provide encouragement towards the final goal.

As they say “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and I’m sure Tiger Woods wasn’t able to win all those major championships without having a long-term goal broken down into smaller structured goals. If we look at this from a goal setting point of view, Tiger has only got to win 1 major championship a year and he will tie with the great Jack Nicklaus, within 18 years. This might sound a tall order, but tiger has already proved he can win more than one major championship in one year. Therefore Tiger is well on his way to breaking those illustrious 18 major championships within his career.

Remember, to get to the top of the ladder, the first step is just as important as the last one.

One great example of this is has been shown from working with john over the past season on his attempts to carry out a pre performance routine before each and every shot. Now you might be thinking that carrying out a pre performance routine would not come under goal setting and it should be more like, getting in the top ten each week or winning. But these situations are out of john’s hand, he cannot control how other people do around him in any one particular tournament. So we have worked on controlling the controllable, not allowing other peoples results to dictate whether we achieve our goals. John and I both sat down at the start of the season and came up with the idea that carrying out a pre performance routine before every shot would be extremely beneficial to john’s scores. The goal was set that john would be able to carry out the routine by the middle of the season (June 15) before each and every shot and it was to feel comfortable and natural. John achieved this and is now able to approach every shot knowing he has put himself in the best possible frame of mind to execute the appropriate shot for that situation.