You may not know that we take to ourselves in our heads up to 70% of the time - its a process we call thinking. Thinking starts from the moment we wake up. How often has someone said to you 'what are you thinking about?'

The 'thinking' we do when we play golf is very important. You probably have heard people saying things like:- I can never seem to play this hole well - My ball sees the water and heads straight for it - That bunker and I just don't get on - I usually have a good score until I get to the 16th.

So why bother going out, because as soon as it happens we say ' What did I tell you it happens every time!' Why should it surprise you - you've already told yourself that it's going to, so you were right. What you need to start doing is to turn your negative thoughts into positive ones.

What's stopping us being positive?

'Thought barriers' are not always easy to recognize, but we all have them. Amazingly you can be the most confident and positive person socially, at home or work. Why is it that a different person takes over when we step onto a golf course?

Do you recognize any of these:

She plays off 10, I have no chance. Of course she will know the rules, she's played for 18 years. I don't have the same confidence that these youngsters have. On some days I just don't seem to be lucky. I never seem to be able to get over the water.

All these phrases we have heard at sometime and are negative thoughts. You're not giving yourself a chance because you start off with a negative mind and those thoughts are likely to come true.

It is important to change your mindset to a more positive approach. You should tell yourself "YOU CAN" then YOU WILL.

Look at the examples above and change them to a more positive approach.

You have more shots than the 10 handicapper, you could play very well and she could have an off day so you can beat them.

It is possible that even people who have played golf for many years do not have a correct interpretation of the rules, and you should always challenge if you believe that you are right.

It's great to be young and confident, but that also can mean a lack of experience and course management skills.

If I think positively I will play positively.

I can get over this water, I have the shots - I just need to choose the right club.

Remember to motivate yourself, because no-one else will!!

If you make a bad shot, forget it, move on to the next one because you can't change what's already happened. Concentrate over every shot, don't be distracted. Don't give up because you've had a bad hole, or give up half way round - you don't know how everyone else is doing.

Before you go out, set yourself a realistic target that you want to achieve. Do you want to break 80, 90, 100 - what about getting a certain number of pars or birdies, just think of anything that will motivate you to make a better score.

Keep thinking positive and your game will improve. Every shot that you attempt should be will full concentration and positive commitment.