Frequently Asked Questions about EFT and Golf
What is EFT?
EFT is a simple form of Energy Psychology. It can be thought of
as acupressure applied to psychological issues. See
EFT for more information.
My shots are inconsistent. Sometimes I hit great shots, sometimes I don't. I can't count on hitting where I want to. What can I do?
All shots are subject to inconsistencies. If your swing is off a small fraction of an inch, big misses can result, especially with the long clubs such as a driver. Some of the factors that determine where a shot goes are beyond your control such as the wind. The most important factor that you can control is giving your subconscious mind clear instructions of what you intend to do. The best "instructions" consist only of selecting the target. Unfortunately, we often include other instructions such as, "Don't shank it," "Don't hit it in the water," or "Don't make a fool of yourself again. A sound pre-shot routine is a must. See "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual," Chapter 15 - Focus Control. See your teaching pro to develop a simple, repeatable swing.
What about swing thoughts? I have heard some pros, after winning a tournament, say that they were able to "get themselves out of the way," that they had no swing thoughts.
I haven't done the research on this one yet (I'm a research scientist), but I'm pretty sure that the best "swing thought" is simply a clear intention of where you want the ball to go. That could be in the form of an imagined flight of the ball, a point where you want the ball to land or stop, a phrase such as "next to the fairway bunker," or even a feeling in your body. Any other thoughts would likely confuse your subconscious mind in its task of getting the ball where you want it go. See the previous question.
I'm worried about developing the yips since I sometimes miss easy putts. What can I do to prevent developing the yips?
Everybody misses easy putts from time to time. That is nothing to worry about. We tend to think that anything inside of 6 feet should be made. But even the pros only make 40% from 6 feet. Take the Rowe Yips Test to see if you are susceptible to developing the yips. If you are, look at "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual," Chapter 18. for instructions for making yourself yips proof.
Which hand should I tap with?
(This question concerns the EFT procedure presented in "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual.") Most people are more comfortable tapping with their dominant hand, but it doesn't matter.
Which side should I tap on?
(This question concerns the EFT procedure presented in "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual.") As you can see from the tapping charts in the book, most points are located on both sides of the body. You can tap with either hand on either side of the body on any of the points. The only exception is the "sore spot" on the upper left chest. Most practitioners advise rubbing the sore spot on the left side only.
If I tap harder, does it work better?
(This question concerns the EFT procedure presented in "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual.") No. Most people seem to get the best results when tapping hard enough to inject some mechanical energy into the tapping point, but not hard enough to hurt or bruise themselves. On the other hand, I have seen some people get results while tapping rather lightly. And there are even tapless versions of EFT. See "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual," Chapter 5, Shortcuts and Stealth Tapping.
Do I have to tap on the golf course when I'm upset?
(This question concerns the EFT procedure presented in "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual.") It is always best to tap as soon as possible if you experience any kind of upset no matter where you are or what you are doing. If you're self-conscious about tapping in public, see "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual," Chapter 5, Shortcuts and Stealth Tapping.
Someone told me that EFT works for pain. Is that true?
Most people (about 2 out of 3) get immediate relief from pain by tapping. Simply focus on the pain and do the EFT procedure explained in "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual," Chapter 4, EFT Basics. Your acceptance statement would be, "Even though I have this pain (describe pain), I deeply and completely accept myself." Your reminder phrase would be "This pain." Any time you have a pain and you would reach for aspirin or ibuprofen, try tapping first. If you don't get immediate relief, you may need additional help from a professional such as myself. Call or email for a referral to an EFT trained person in your area. Obviously, if you need medical attention, seek proper medical care.
The older I get, the stiffer I get. It is affecting my ability to make a smooth swing. I've heard that EFT can help.
Since I work with golfers on their mental game, this question may seem out of place here. But the mental game has a big impact on physical factors and physical factors have a big impact on the mental game. Pain, stiffness, and fatigue are some physical factors that can effect the mental game. A golfer who is in good physical condition will more easily stay focused on the game, especially on the back nine. A golfer in pain will be distracted by the pain and the swing will be affected. Stiffness certainly affects the swing, not to mention bending down to get the ball out of the cup. Stretching exercises can pay big dividends for a golfer. Check your local bookstore, physical therapist, or golf pro for a good stretching program. Always warm up before hitting on the first tee. Stretching should also be done, but only after you have warmed up. Stretching cold muscles and joints can result in injury. Before stretching, try this EFT technique. Notice where you feel stiff. Focus on it and tap according the procedure in my books using an acceptance statement such as this, "Even though I feel stiff, I deeply and completely accept myself." Repeat as necessary. Golfers tell me it's a quick and an effective way to help loosen up. For further details, see "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual," Chapter 10, Physical Factors of the Mental Game.
I have heard that EFT can help me make a swing change. How can that be?
One of my colleagues who works with a lot of professional athletes from several sports discovered that EFT allows an athlete to make a change in mechanics rather quickly. See "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual," Chapter 12, Changing Swing Mechanics.
Do I have to say the acceptance statement out loud?
It seems to work better when you are learning EFT to speak the acceptance statements out loud, so that is the way I teach it. Once you learn it, if you are in a public place, you can say the acceptance statement to yourself with great results.
Do I have to hit the acupuncture point exactly? What if I'm off a little?
I teach using as many fingers as practical when tapping to make sure you hit the exact spot. The exact spot seems to be necessary (I haven't seen the research on this), but using several fingertips covers a larger area, helping to assure that you hit the right spot. I will often use all 4 fingertips plus the thumb.
Will tapping speed up healing of an injury?
Yes. See Chapter 10, Physical Factors of the Mental Game in "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual."
I suffered an injury 2 years ago and my game hasn't been the same since. My doctor says the injury has completely healed, but it doesn't feel the same. Can EFT help with this?
Yes. Stacey Vornbrock works extensively with athletes who have been injured and she uses EFT exclusively. See Chapter 10, Physical Factors of the Mental Game in "EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual."
Why do you focus on the negative? I've always been told to focus on the positive as much as possible.
Focusing on the positive was good advice before the development of EFT. If you try to ignore the negative (by focusing on the positive), it is always there in the background and can be triggered at the most inopportune times. That is one reason we tend to revert to old habits when we are under pressure. With EFT, we have a tool that clears out the negative once and for all. You have to focus on the negative to connect with it to allow EFT to do its work. Try it and see what happens.
What's new about EFT and Golf: The New Mental Game Manual?
I love direct questions. He wanted to know how my book was different from a number of excellent mental game books for golfers. (See mental game books for my reviews of mental game books.)
My book is based on sound research-based sport psychology principles. So are many others. (But not all. Some are the author's ideas that haven't been put to the test).
The main difference about my book compared to all the others is that I teach you how to use the new developments in psychology (from clinical psychology) to gain control of your mental game. Traditional sport psychology uses techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy applied to mental game issues. I’ve had sound training in those techniques and still use some of them.
But there are new developments that are not yet widely known. I only know of a few colleagues who are using these new procedures. They are based on the principles of acupuncture (without needles). My research, the research of others, and tens of thousands of cases show that these procedures are quicker and more powerful than the best cognitive-behavioral techniques. See EFT Research if you are scientifically minded.
If I'm not in the U.S., how do I get your books?
For a paperback version, you can order from Amazon.com if they ship to your country. Amazon has international sites in Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, France, and China. You can download an Ebook version anywhere. You have a choice of two formats -- Option 1) the Ebook version of the paperback, and Option 2) specially formatted to be printed on A4 or U.S. letter size paper.
I'm reluctant to work with a "psychologist." I'm not mentally ill.
This golfer was honest enough to express what many athletes are thinking when they hear about sport(s) psychologists and mental game consultants. I distinguish between clinical psychology and sport psychology. If an athlete is having an emotional problem, he/she could use clinical help, not sport psychology help. Up to one out of three people will experience an emotional problem at some point in their life that could benefit from clinical help. Athletes are no different.
Sport psychology, on the other hand, focuses on how an athlete can get maximum production from his/her given skills and conditioning. Some sport psychologists (in my opinion) confuse these two roles. Many "team" psychologists function in the clinical role but call it sport psychology. I've been trained in both. I do my best not to mix the two. I no longer perform clinical work. But, with my background in clinical work, I'm in a good position to recognize when an athlete would benefit from clinical work and I make a referral. See What To Expect From Coaching with Me. If you have read my books, you already know the difference. Thanks for the honest comment.