Wow, what a way for Tiger to end his 2008 season (in June)!
That was some of the best golf I have ever watched.
Now the big question is whether or not fans will tune in to watch without Tiger.
I've heard that often times the events that Tiger is not playing, or on rare occasion, not in the hunt on the final day, viewership is down as much as 30%.
Are that many people just tuning in to see Tiger win, or maybe to see him lose?
As a dude who loves golf, this really pisses me off.
Now don't get me wrong, I think that Tiger is the most exciting thing to happen to golf since...well, ever. And I must admit that I am disappointed when he is missing from the final pairings.
But it's not Tiger, or any other individual golfer, that is the source of my PASSION.
No, it's the great game of golf itself.
These people who only watch when Tiger is involved (I'm sure it's none of you Renegades) remind me of the ultimate sports dweeb - the fair-weather fan.
You know the guy - he only supports whoever is winning, claiming to have been a life-long fan.
Then turns his back on the athlete/team when they lose and switches allegiance more often than he changes his underwear.
Don't be that guy.
Be a renegade and support the game and all the other golfers during Tiger's downtime.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Why Golf Psychology Sucks!
Just for the hell of it, I counted up all of the golf psychology books in my personal library yesterday.
37 total...over 8,00 pages.
Really could have been less than 200 pages.
Why?
Because they all fall into one of two categories, all saying pretty much the same friggin' things:
1) Pansy-Ass Positive Thinking
2) Pompous-Ass Pretentious Theorizing
I'll be honest with you (always a warning phrase from me to those with virgin eyes/ears) - If I have to endure one more traditional positive thinking, sugar-coated affirmation program, I may have to stick my family jewels into the local golf course ball washer and end it all!
Let's be serious (relatively speaking), is there anything more pathetic than acting like Stuart Smalley from Saturday Night Live (back when it was funny)?
"I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggone-it, I'm a scratch golfer.
"PLEEEZE!
He's a loser.
And you are destined for the same fate if you follow his lead and use affirmations ONLY, without addressing your NEGATIVE emotions and feelings as well.
Don't be a Stuart.
And then you have the Pompous Ph.Ds
I do have several friends who are Ph.Ds who are NOT pompous. So it is possible, but apparently not fashionable with that crowd.
This bunch tries to impress you with scientific jargon like "left hemispherical activity".
They make my head spin, and give me GERD-like symptoms.
Not because I can't understand them (I've got almost a decade of graduate-level education under my belt)...but because I just couldn't give a crap.
Most all of that theorizing is just "intellectual masturbation".I
'm called a "Renegade" because all I care about are RESULTS on the golf course and on my clients' score cards.
Yes, there are different methods to get results.
But some are just plain better than others.
Yes, there are indeed many different paths up the mountain.
Most people seem to choose to travel by foot up the path with rough terrain, which takes years of struggle to complete - if you can stay with it that long. You'll probably see Stuart along the way - smack him upside the head for me.
But there is another (better) option...On the other side of the mountain is the newly constructed Renegade Super Highway.
It's got five paved lanes and no speed limit.
And I've got a Hummer with a few open seats.
Jump on in and let's get this party started!
www.RMTforGolf.com/bookspecial.asp
37 total...over 8,00 pages.
Really could have been less than 200 pages.
Why?
Because they all fall into one of two categories, all saying pretty much the same friggin' things:
1) Pansy-Ass Positive Thinking
2) Pompous-Ass Pretentious Theorizing
I'll be honest with you (always a warning phrase from me to those with virgin eyes/ears) - If I have to endure one more traditional positive thinking, sugar-coated affirmation program, I may have to stick my family jewels into the local golf course ball washer and end it all!
Let's be serious (relatively speaking), is there anything more pathetic than acting like Stuart Smalley from Saturday Night Live (back when it was funny)?
"I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggone-it, I'm a scratch golfer.
"PLEEEZE!
He's a loser.
And you are destined for the same fate if you follow his lead and use affirmations ONLY, without addressing your NEGATIVE emotions and feelings as well.
Don't be a Stuart.
And then you have the Pompous Ph.Ds
I do have several friends who are Ph.Ds who are NOT pompous. So it is possible, but apparently not fashionable with that crowd.
This bunch tries to impress you with scientific jargon like "left hemispherical activity".
They make my head spin, and give me GERD-like symptoms.
Not because I can't understand them (I've got almost a decade of graduate-level education under my belt)...but because I just couldn't give a crap.
Most all of that theorizing is just "intellectual masturbation".I
'm called a "Renegade" because all I care about are RESULTS on the golf course and on my clients' score cards.
Yes, there are different methods to get results.
But some are just plain better than others.
Yes, there are indeed many different paths up the mountain.
Most people seem to choose to travel by foot up the path with rough terrain, which takes years of struggle to complete - if you can stay with it that long. You'll probably see Stuart along the way - smack him upside the head for me.
But there is another (better) option...On the other side of the mountain is the newly constructed Renegade Super Highway.
It's got five paved lanes and no speed limit.
And I've got a Hummer with a few open seats.
Jump on in and let's get this party started!
www.RMTforGolf.com/bookspecial.asp
Saturday, February 23, 2008
RMT for Pain Relief
Note: The information in this article is NOT to be used in place of medical treatment. If you have an injury and have any doubts about it's seriousness, then go seek professional medical attention. In other words, don't be a friggin' wanker!
RMT is a sports specific version on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).
The truth is that I may have "bastardized" a bit of it here and there, but EFT is at the foundation of my work with golfers.
EFT was originally used to treat post traumatic stress disorder in war veterans. It proved to be incredibly successful in relieving the emotional distress of these men and women, often times where conventional therapies had failed.
What was also interesting was that many of them also reported a significant reduction or complete elimination of physical ailments, including:
Headaches
Back Pain
Arthritis
Stiff Muscles
Sprains
Etc.
At the current time, there is no "hard science" evidence as to why this type of energy psychology may work - but do you really want to wait around for the lab coats to figure it out?
One theory is that these techniques relieve excess tension throughout the body and nervous system, allowing a more relaxed, and therefore, less painful physical state.
Another possibility is that most physical problems are actually just a manifestation of emotional/spiritual stress.
Regardless of WHY it seems to work, my experience over the past eight years is that almost 75% of clients can achieve moderate to complete relief with RMT.
As with all the RMT protocols, let's keep this as simple as possible - just use the physical pain you are having as your Negative Focus.
That could be back pain, knee pain, acid reflux, etc.
Then for a Positive Focus use something along the lines of "Let it go" or "Easy".
Always remember the deep breath.
Rinse, Wash, Repeat as necessary, until results are achieved.
Emotional Causes of Physical Pain
Whenever I have a golfer who is not getting results with a physical pain using the pain as the Focus, I began to look for any possible emotional roots to the problem.
I simply ask the question "If there was an emotional cause to this physical pain, what might it be?"
If it's not obvious, then just guess. Often times your intuition will give you incredible wisdom in the form of a guess.
Then simply use RMT on the emotion identified. Once cleared, the physical pain will often subside.
Now for your playing partner that is a figurative "pain in your ass", well that's another story altogether.
RMT is a sports specific version on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).
The truth is that I may have "bastardized" a bit of it here and there, but EFT is at the foundation of my work with golfers.
EFT was originally used to treat post traumatic stress disorder in war veterans. It proved to be incredibly successful in relieving the emotional distress of these men and women, often times where conventional therapies had failed.
What was also interesting was that many of them also reported a significant reduction or complete elimination of physical ailments, including:
Headaches
Back Pain
Arthritis
Stiff Muscles
Sprains
Etc.
At the current time, there is no "hard science" evidence as to why this type of energy psychology may work - but do you really want to wait around for the lab coats to figure it out?
One theory is that these techniques relieve excess tension throughout the body and nervous system, allowing a more relaxed, and therefore, less painful physical state.
Another possibility is that most physical problems are actually just a manifestation of emotional/spiritual stress.
Regardless of WHY it seems to work, my experience over the past eight years is that almost 75% of clients can achieve moderate to complete relief with RMT.
As with all the RMT protocols, let's keep this as simple as possible - just use the physical pain you are having as your Negative Focus.
That could be back pain, knee pain, acid reflux, etc.
Then for a Positive Focus use something along the lines of "Let it go" or "Easy".
Always remember the deep breath.
Rinse, Wash, Repeat as necessary, until results are achieved.
Emotional Causes of Physical Pain
Whenever I have a golfer who is not getting results with a physical pain using the pain as the Focus, I began to look for any possible emotional roots to the problem.
I simply ask the question "If there was an emotional cause to this physical pain, what might it be?"
If it's not obvious, then just guess. Often times your intuition will give you incredible wisdom in the form of a guess.
Then simply use RMT on the emotion identified. Once cleared, the physical pain will often subside.
Now for your playing partner that is a figurative "pain in your ass", well that's another story altogether.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
John Daly, Jerry Springer and Brittney Spears All Walk Into A Bar...
Apparently I ruffled some feathers last week with my inquiry - "Why the hell is John Daly so popular?"
It was actually the third highest number of emails I've ever received about a particular topic.
The second most was on my article about the Yips (who knew so many suffered).
The biggest response by far was after the passing of my renegade cat Malcom (who knew so many cared).
But back to the topic of big JD...
As I was saying, I got quite a bit of flack, to say the least.
So let me be perfectly clear about this - I didn't say I didn't LIKE John Daly.
Hell, I don't know the guy.
What I was curious about was why so many fans (who also don't know him) seem to have such undying admiration for a guy who (in my opinion) is the Brittney Spears of the golf world.
I have a large number of junior golfers who I work with personally. About 50% of them are junior high and high school girls.
In addition to being excellent golfers, every one of these girls is smart, personable, responsible, and headed for a bright future.
So you can imagine my surprise to find that most of them ADMIRE Brittney Spears!
Why, you may ask...
I did, and the answers I got were strangely similar to the emails I received from adults regarding John Daly.
Below is an overview of the reasons given that golf fans like JD, and, so I'm told, the reasons I should like him too (my comments are in italics following each reason):
1) He's an everyday guy who lives by his own rules, doesn't care what anybody thinks, and will say whatever is on his mind, regardless of who he might offend - (kinda sounds like the crowd at a Jerry Springer show)
2) It's fun to pull for an underdog - (Yes, I get that. But JD is not exactly a Cinderella story of someone who gives his all to overcome obstacles and attain greatness. Rather he is a great natural talent who seems bent on self - destruction. I don't find that fun to root for.)
3) He draws big crowds - (so do multiple car pile-ups on the freeway)
4) He can "grip it and rip it" - (yes, I admit that is damn cool)
5) He likes boobs - (OK, I get that one as well. But that's a pretty low standard, don't ya think?)
And then there were several of you who emailed and said that I should like him because we are so much alike!
At first I was a bit shocked.
Then I thought about it and realized that if you take away the excess weight, the hell-bent self destruction, the incredible golfing skill, and the popularity, then John and I are rather similar.
After all, I am a guy that lives by his own rules and says whatever I want.
And I like boobs...
Gotta go, Springer's on in three minutes!
It was actually the third highest number of emails I've ever received about a particular topic.
The second most was on my article about the Yips (who knew so many suffered).
The biggest response by far was after the passing of my renegade cat Malcom (who knew so many cared).
But back to the topic of big JD...
As I was saying, I got quite a bit of flack, to say the least.
So let me be perfectly clear about this - I didn't say I didn't LIKE John Daly.
Hell, I don't know the guy.
What I was curious about was why so many fans (who also don't know him) seem to have such undying admiration for a guy who (in my opinion) is the Brittney Spears of the golf world.
I have a large number of junior golfers who I work with personally. About 50% of them are junior high and high school girls.
In addition to being excellent golfers, every one of these girls is smart, personable, responsible, and headed for a bright future.
So you can imagine my surprise to find that most of them ADMIRE Brittney Spears!
Why, you may ask...
I did, and the answers I got were strangely similar to the emails I received from adults regarding John Daly.
Below is an overview of the reasons given that golf fans like JD, and, so I'm told, the reasons I should like him too (my comments are in italics following each reason):
1) He's an everyday guy who lives by his own rules, doesn't care what anybody thinks, and will say whatever is on his mind, regardless of who he might offend - (kinda sounds like the crowd at a Jerry Springer show)
2) It's fun to pull for an underdog - (Yes, I get that. But JD is not exactly a Cinderella story of someone who gives his all to overcome obstacles and attain greatness. Rather he is a great natural talent who seems bent on self - destruction. I don't find that fun to root for.)
3) He draws big crowds - (so do multiple car pile-ups on the freeway)
4) He can "grip it and rip it" - (yes, I admit that is damn cool)
5) He likes boobs - (OK, I get that one as well. But that's a pretty low standard, don't ya think?)
And then there were several of you who emailed and said that I should like him because we are so much alike!
At first I was a bit shocked.
Then I thought about it and realized that if you take away the excess weight, the hell-bent self destruction, the incredible golfing skill, and the popularity, then John and I are rather similar.
After all, I am a guy that lives by his own rules and says whatever I want.
And I like boobs...
Gotta go, Springer's on in three minutes!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
RENEGADE PAIN RELIEF
Note: The information in this article is NOT to be used in place of medical treatment. If you have an injury and have any doubts about it's seriousness, then go seek professional medical attention. In other words, don't be a friggin' wanker!
RMT is a sports specific version on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).
The truth is that I may have "bastardized" a bit of it here and there, but EFT is at the foundation of my work with golfers.
EFT was originally used to treat post traumatic stress disorder in war veterans. It proved to be incredibly successful in relieving the emotional distress of these men and women, often times where conventional therapies had failed.
What was also interesting was that many of them also reported a significant reduction or complete elimination of physical ailments, including:
Headaches
Back Pain
Arthritis
Stiff Muscles
Sprains
Etc
At the current time, there is no "hard science" evidence as to why this type of energy psychology may work - but do you really want to wait around for the lab coats to figure it out?
One theory is that these techniques relieve excess tension throughout the body and nervous system, allowing a more relaxed, and therefore, less painful physical state.
Another possibility is that most physical problems are actually just a manifestation of emotional/spiritual stress.
Regardless of WHY it seems to work, my experience over the past eight years is that almost 75% of clients can achieve moderate to complete relief with RMT.
As with all the RMT protocols, let's keep this as simple as possible - just use the physical pain you are having as your Negative Focus.
That could be back pain, knee pain, acid reflux, etc.
Then for a Positive Focus use something along the lines of "Let it go" or "Easy".
Always remember the deep breathe.
Rinse, Wash, Repeat as necessary.
Emotional Causes of Physical Pain
Whenever I have a golfer who is not getting results with a physical pain using the pain as the Focus, I began to look for any possible emotional roots to the problem.
I simply ask the question "If there was an emotional cause to this physical pain, what might it be?"
If it's not obvious, then just guess. Often times your intuition will give you incredible wisdom in the form of a guess.
Then simply use RMT on the emotion identified. Once cleared, the physical pain will often subside.
Now for your playing partner that is a figurative "pain in your ass", well that's another story altogether.
RMT is a sports specific version on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).
The truth is that I may have "bastardized" a bit of it here and there, but EFT is at the foundation of my work with golfers.
EFT was originally used to treat post traumatic stress disorder in war veterans. It proved to be incredibly successful in relieving the emotional distress of these men and women, often times where conventional therapies had failed.
What was also interesting was that many of them also reported a significant reduction or complete elimination of physical ailments, including:
Headaches
Back Pain
Arthritis
Stiff Muscles
Sprains
Etc
At the current time, there is no "hard science" evidence as to why this type of energy psychology may work - but do you really want to wait around for the lab coats to figure it out?
One theory is that these techniques relieve excess tension throughout the body and nervous system, allowing a more relaxed, and therefore, less painful physical state.
Another possibility is that most physical problems are actually just a manifestation of emotional/spiritual stress.
Regardless of WHY it seems to work, my experience over the past eight years is that almost 75% of clients can achieve moderate to complete relief with RMT.
As with all the RMT protocols, let's keep this as simple as possible - just use the physical pain you are having as your Negative Focus.
That could be back pain, knee pain, acid reflux, etc.
Then for a Positive Focus use something along the lines of "Let it go" or "Easy".
Always remember the deep breathe.
Rinse, Wash, Repeat as necessary.
Emotional Causes of Physical Pain
Whenever I have a golfer who is not getting results with a physical pain using the pain as the Focus, I began to look for any possible emotional roots to the problem.
I simply ask the question "If there was an emotional cause to this physical pain, what might it be?"
If it's not obvious, then just guess. Often times your intuition will give you incredible wisdom in the form of a guess.
Then simply use RMT on the emotion identified. Once cleared, the physical pain will often subside.
Now for your playing partner that is a figurative "pain in your ass", well that's another story altogether.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
My Renegade Cat Pays It Forward
Back in 1993 I would sit in meditation for two hours every morning.
Actually, it was kinda the middle of the night - 3:30 to 5:30 AM.
I did it that way because that's how I learned it during my time at the Zen monastery in Japan.
And it seemed to work damn well. I was in the zone all the time, both on and off the course. I was scoring like never before, even though I had only played twice the year before.
Then I met Malcom...
I was approaching the 17th green when I heard a faint noise coming from the bunker, so I went over to check it out.
Holy crap, I said, as I realized it was a tiny black kitten.
So I take it to the vet, who says "Don't get too attached. I give it a 10% chance of making it."
"Thanks, Nimrod", I said, and spent the next two weeks feeding the little bugger with an eyedropper every three hours.
EVERY three hours - day and night.
Malcom turns the corner and does more than just "make it"...he begins to thrive.
And then he seemed to pick up where my Zen master had left off.
It all started during a Tuesday morning meditation session. Malcom walks into the room and sits down on my lap.
That's cool, I think to myself.
But then after about 15 minutes he starts getting restless. He paces the room and circles me constantly.
And then he starts the loud meowing.
I tried to stay focused and remember my Zen master's words "Pay attention".
It was pretty much all he ever said. After several months I began to think it was the only English he knew. But then I realized it was the only lesson I ever needed to learn.
Cats love ritual and patterns. This "disruption" of my meditation became Malcom's daily mission.
But it actually got worse over time...
Within a month, he would not allow me to have more than 10 minutes before he would start the ritual.
I did my best just to Pay Attention.
But obviously I wasn't "getting it", because Malcom had to pull out all the stops one morning...
About ten minutes into my meditation, he proceeds to walk in, kick over the incense burner and take a dump in my chime bowl!
Little did I ever envision that my first glimpse of enlightenment would be thrust upon me by a big cat crap.
But really, you can't get more Zen than that!
I finally realized two things:
1) Malcom was a Zen Master
2) I was holding onto something I no longer needed
It was only a few days later that I learned about Energy Psychology and integrated that with my Zen practice.
For the next 14 years, up until 3 days ago, Malcom would sit quietly in my lap for my 10 MINUTE RMT-style meditation.
Same results as my "overdone" two hour marathons.
Malcom died in my arms 3 days ago.
Some big friggin' tumor in his head.
He seemed fine with the whole situation.
I would have been a complete emotional train wreck, had it not been for my wife, RMT, and the voice of BOTH of my Zen masters in my head saying "Pay Attention".
So, my RANT message is simply this:
EVERYTHING in life, on and off the course, is a teacher. Pay attention...there is much to learn.
Many thanks for allowing me to share this experience with you.
Actually, it was kinda the middle of the night - 3:30 to 5:30 AM.
I did it that way because that's how I learned it during my time at the Zen monastery in Japan.
And it seemed to work damn well. I was in the zone all the time, both on and off the course. I was scoring like never before, even though I had only played twice the year before.
Then I met Malcom...
I was approaching the 17th green when I heard a faint noise coming from the bunker, so I went over to check it out.
Holy crap, I said, as I realized it was a tiny black kitten.
So I take it to the vet, who says "Don't get too attached. I give it a 10% chance of making it."
"Thanks, Nimrod", I said, and spent the next two weeks feeding the little bugger with an eyedropper every three hours.
EVERY three hours - day and night.
Malcom turns the corner and does more than just "make it"...he begins to thrive.
And then he seemed to pick up where my Zen master had left off.
It all started during a Tuesday morning meditation session. Malcom walks into the room and sits down on my lap.
That's cool, I think to myself.
But then after about 15 minutes he starts getting restless. He paces the room and circles me constantly.
And then he starts the loud meowing.
I tried to stay focused and remember my Zen master's words "Pay attention".
It was pretty much all he ever said. After several months I began to think it was the only English he knew. But then I realized it was the only lesson I ever needed to learn.
Cats love ritual and patterns. This "disruption" of my meditation became Malcom's daily mission.
But it actually got worse over time...
Within a month, he would not allow me to have more than 10 minutes before he would start the ritual.
I did my best just to Pay Attention.
But obviously I wasn't "getting it", because Malcom had to pull out all the stops one morning...
About ten minutes into my meditation, he proceeds to walk in, kick over the incense burner and take a dump in my chime bowl!
Little did I ever envision that my first glimpse of enlightenment would be thrust upon me by a big cat crap.
But really, you can't get more Zen than that!
I finally realized two things:
1) Malcom was a Zen Master
2) I was holding onto something I no longer needed
It was only a few days later that I learned about Energy Psychology and integrated that with my Zen practice.
For the next 14 years, up until 3 days ago, Malcom would sit quietly in my lap for my 10 MINUTE RMT-style meditation.
Same results as my "overdone" two hour marathons.
Malcom died in my arms 3 days ago.
Some big friggin' tumor in his head.
He seemed fine with the whole situation.
I would have been a complete emotional train wreck, had it not been for my wife, RMT, and the voice of BOTH of my Zen masters in my head saying "Pay Attention".
So, my RANT message is simply this:
EVERYTHING in life, on and off the course, is a teacher. Pay attention...there is much to learn.
Many thanks for allowing me to share this experience with you.
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