Singin' the Praises... Journals & Blogs

Tiger, Padraig, YE Yang & Me

Steve Cohen posted on August 19, 2009 15:19

Don't let a quintuple bogie spoil your day! Some thoughts on the recent PGA Championship at Hazeltine National GC by Steve Cohen, president of the Shivas Irons Society.

Posted in: Singin' the Praises

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009 6:19 PM

Comment by: Jon Leland

I agree about Paddy's demeanor; but on the other side, I thought that on both occasions of his "unhappy snowmen" in the last two weeks on the Tour, he demonstrated what not to do in terms of being present for each shot. Rather than stopping and refocusing when he got into trouble, he let it snowball. Despite all his inner game work with Bob Rotella, which has obviously served him well, he didn't stay present. Rather, he let his frustration get the better of him. The result on both occasions was hitting one bad shot after another. A good lesson for us to all pay more attention too... and exactly what Y.E. Yang did not do. I loved the way he laughed after blowing that putt on #17. Unlike Tiger, just like you said, he put the bad shot behind him quickly and went back to playing within himself and hitting great shots under pressure. (more on this on the Ambassador of Ease blog post on this site or on http://www.thejoyofgolfing.com) Thanks, Steve!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 8:04 PM

Comment by: HC Palmer

Steve,

Great piece and good job on your part. 'Staying in the moment?' I guess Michael M. would say it this way, When I play golf---I play golf.

Once, about 20 years ago, a man I loved, who learned to play golf with Pete Tufts, (his name was Bob Berger), chastised me when i 'tossed' a club after failing to get a ball out of some deep bermuda rough at a public course in Florida City.

He said, "HC, if I see you throw another club, I'll never play golf with you again." I've never done it since, even 'tossed' one. So, like you, I forgive Tiger too, but he's never been my favorite. Padraig (and my near-neighbor Tom Watson) understand what golf is about. Tiger, as good as he is, doesn't. Too bad. He might be an even better golfer if he did.

Yours in the Kingdom.............

Wednesday, September 09, 2009 11:19 PM

Comment by: Dave Clare

Steve

Great blog. As you know I fight my emotions on the golf course but I really appreciate you and others in the Society grounding me. No matter what happens in a round I can say that I always have fun and I have more fun playing with the Shivas Irons Society members. I just need to make more events. By the way the tip you gave at Ballyneal regarding the way I was hooding my club has given a sort of learning break through. I have been working on my swing and making vast improvements. I hope to see soon.

Cheers

Dave

Thursday, September 10, 2009 1:32 PM

Comment by: Steve Cohen

Holy Cow Dave... don't let it get out that I'm giving golf tips. It'll ruin my reputation.

Seriously, I think all I did was suggest you bring some awareness to the position of your clubface at address... after that it was up to you. Good going! An interesting thing about awareness is how it allows change to take place... In fact, it is my belief that to once we become truly and consciously aware of something, change is inevitable, in our golf swing as well as every area of our lives. In Gestalt Therapy there is a concept called "The Paradoxical Theory of Change," that, in its most basic form suggests that change does not come from "trying" to change, but rather from becoming aware of what already exists.

These are certainly topics worthy of further exploration and I hope that we will soon have the opportunity. Are you planning to join us November 3rd at Pasatiempo?

Steve

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