Helping us today is Craig Sigl, a renowned sport hypnotist and mental coach.

Visualization is a valuable technique for many.

Golfers and athletes in all sports are taught to visualize perfect performances in advance of the competition.

However, this is much easier said than done for some.

The biggest hindrance to being able to mentally rehearse golf shots is the word “visualize” itself.

In order to improve your ability to “visualize,” you want to give yourself permission to do it your way.

For instance, I will say something like this: “Imagine, sense, think or visualize your perfect shot…”

This wording allows you to come up with your creative way of mentally rehearsing a perfect golf swing for you.

It could include a feeling about the hands, a sense of happiness in your body, a fluidity of motion, the sound of the ball dropping in the cup or the crack off the driver, etc.

The more you practice visualizing your golf game, the better you will get at it.

Start with easy things and work your way up to a full golf swing or putting stroke.

The best time to “visualize” is right after you have had a perfect shot.

You want to emblazon that perfect shot on your mind’s eye as “the way you golf.”

Replay your best shots over and over in your mind for the next few days.

Craig Sigl is a sports hypnotist and will give a free presentation on sports hypnosis on World Hypnotism Day, Jan 4. Visit www.sportshypnosiswest.com for details.