your thoughts on the mental game..

do i you think it is just for the pro's or is it all marketing hype?

Liam, my own personal view is that one either is able to cope with this or they can't. I never felt that I needed any help in this department, I just trusted my ability,and the knowledge that I was amongst my peers and on any given day I could be the winner.

I believe that pressure and stress are self induced.

i feel the same john, only my game suffers in competition sometimes..

100% believe in it.  How many times have you stood over a putt certain you would miss and did.  How many times have you stood over the same putt confident you would sink it and did.  Much of golf is played on confidence.  A golfer with a 16 handicap and belief will always beat one with a 10 handicap and no belief in my experience

I suggest reading 'Golf is not a game of perfect' by Dr Bob Rotella.  Great book that has you thinking the right way and really helped me at a low point in my confidence

Lots of top pro's swear by it, so maybe there's something in it. Many, many moons ago I thought I couldn't do much more with my swing without giving up work and putting lots of time in on the course and practice ground. But I did think my mental side was that of a mid handicapper, no offence to those that have achieved that, so I started to look at the mental side.

I read Bob Rotella, Alan Fine and Tim Gallwey. I think it made a difference. On occasion I think I've boxed well above my weight and returned some stunning scores for a hacker with a dodgy swing. I don't think its a coincidence that on numerous occasions I've sank that crucial putt or hit the middle of the fairway when it really mattered only to see others lose their swing when under pressure.

But hey, I'm an engineer by trade and know nowt.

Whenever I'm standing over a putt, chip or pitch I'm saying to myself, "This for a biridie".

This Positive Mental Attitude will help your game.

If you have a thirty foot bump and run shot and your aim is to get the ball in the hole.  If you miss the hole, you might only miss it by a foot or two.

If you say to yourself, within two or three feet of the hole will be good, then you might leave the ball six feet from the hole.

Always tell yourself that this shot is going in the hole.

I'm certain that it helps my game.

Russ