Archived Newsletters - WHO ARE YOU? THE ANALYZER?:
Newsletter April 2004
Vol. V, Edition 4
WHO ARE YOU? THE ANALYZER?
By Joan King
This month is the last in a continuing series of the description and analysis of the
four basic personality and behavior patterns as they relate to golf performance.
January began with a description of "The Driver" personality, February with "The
Socializer" personality, and March with "The Craftsman." This month will cover the
profile of "The Analyzer."
Your peak performance is in large part determined by your personal management of your
own behavior. The more you understand your own behavior patterns, the more you can
adapt to the different situations that come up on the golf course. The less you
understand, the fewer options you have.
As humans, everyone can be included in four basic types of behavioral tendencies.
Everyone has some of each of the four basic styles but you probably have more of one
type than the others. When you understand your personality, you can then consider the
strengths and weaknesses specific to your style and relate them to your behavior on
the golf course. Under pressure your strengths could become your weaknesses because
without this knowledge you will probably use the behavior that makes you feel most
comfortable.
I. The Driver: The "grip it and rip it" player will have an advantage on wide open,
long courses and not so great an advantage on tight, placement courses.
II. The Socializer: The social golfer feels very comfortable in a sociable foursome,
but less comfortable in a tournament where there is no sociability.
III. The Craftsman: A player who is steady, "on the fairway, on the green, two putts"
plans and executes well, but is less comfortable in situations s/he hasn't
encountered before.
IV. The Analyzer: This cautious player carefully plans out his/her game, plays
conservatively and makes few mistakes, but has a tendency not to take risks and
stretch his/her limits.
There is no best style. This is the way you have adapted to your environment and
live your life. Each personality style has its positive and negative aspects. What
is important, is to know yourself so you can avoid your negative side in stressful
situations and then be able to use the best aspect of your personality.
Our lives would be so much easier if everyone was like us and there was no conflict.
Since this is not a truism, understanding how people operate their lives differently
from the way you do will help you to be more tolerant of their behavior. Your
behavior will be influenced by others and by the situation you are in. The best
attitude is to enjoy the similarities and accept the differences. If you don't do
this, you will sabotage your peace of mind and your golf game.
Your behavior will be influenced by others and by the situation you are in. The best
attitude is to enjoy the similarities and accept the differences. If you don't do
this, you will sabotage your peace of mind and your golf game.
Characteristics:
"The Analyzer" has a methodical, systematic approach to the game. They are intent
upon perfecting a method to use and often appear to be mechanical, intense and
studious as they play. They study everything in the game, try to select the best
from every source and put it all together. They are precise and accuracy is important.
They double-check everything so they are often slow and methodical. They have
probably been most golfers' model for concentration. They are logical thinkers,
critical of their performance, they comply to avoid direct conflict, are more task
oriented than people oriented, do not like change and appear rigid, and have a strong
sense of right and wrong. They are intense during play and tend to review their
mistakes rather than their successes. They take the fewest possible risks and normally
play the safest shot available. They control the club and bend the course to their
game.
Tendencies of the "Analyzer":
- Likes PRECISION and works on shot-by-shot perfection.
- Strikes the ball vs. swinging or ripping.
- Studies everything; tee position, distance, club selection, wind, grip, stance,
takeaway, etc.
- Keeps their distance from others on the golf course.
- Slow and methodical due to checking and re-checking for accuracy.
- Intense and critical of performance.
- Plays the safest possible shot.
- Into mechanics, execution, and accuracy, likes planning ahead.
- Uses logical thinking and wants to hit it correctly "by the book."
"Analyzer" Professionals:
- Annika Sorenstam
- Jack Nicklaus
- Hale Irwin
- Justin Leonard
- Bernhard Langer
"Analyzer" Strengths:
- Decisions are well thought out and rarely makes stupid mistakes.
- Gets the most out of a round due to an efficient style of play
- Plays well under pressure due to well laid plans.
- Concentrates well on details and critical shots.
"Analyzer" Weaknesses:
- Scores don't fluctuate much due to being conservative.
- In a problem situation they get slower and may "balk."
- In a problem situation they will succumb to negative "self-talk."
- Needs assurance to know when they have completed a task.
How to Improve:
The "Analyzer" golfer needs to give themselves to take risks like going for a par
five in two after a big drive. They need to stretch their limits of thinking by
being more flexible, and try new options. They need to develop a tolerance for
conflict, not always complying to avoid conflict.
- Affirm belief in their self-worth outside the game of golf.
- Be more flexible, try new options.
- Learn to take more risk.
- Play at least one hole per round more aggressively.
- Develop a tolerance for conflict.
- Learn to enjoy their good shots, and not internalize missed shots.
The "Analyzer" tends to be a kinesthetic learner who is right brained and long term
oriented. They are very patient, but tend to break down with internal self-talk.
They want a logical coach who is sincere and caring as they need assurance to know
when they have completed a task.
In a stressful golf situation, the "Analyzer" needs to:
- Breathe deeply to free up the mind.
- Use positive self-talk and smile.
- Forgive self for making a mistake.
- Give themselves permission to take risks.
- Take practice swings to get the feel of the shot.
No human quality is good or bad except as it is used. Used properly it indicates a
strength of character, improperly used it causes problems.
The Optimist Creed: Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only
the best. Wear a cheerful countenance at all times, and greet every living creature
you meet with a smile.
*****
|
|
Positive Mental Imagery
128 Forest View Drive
Flat Rock, NC 28731
Email: pmi4@bellsouth.net
|
|
