Graham Foley

My junior year of HS I horribly shanked a punt in our own end zone, they scored and I got benched. It was the worst experience of my life in the moment, but it was also the most important in retrospect. It set me on a journey to redefine my relationship with pressure and stress, and to bridge the gap between my potential and my production. It led me to find Dr. Bob Rotella's all-time great sports psychology book that most NFL kickers have read, "Golf is Not a Game of Perfect" (just replace the word golf with football and it's about kicking) Here are its core key points: 1. Golf is a mental game, and success depends on how you think and feel. 2. You need to believe in yourself and your abilities to perform at your best. 3. Confidence and focus are key, and you should focus on the shot you're about to hit, not the ones you've already missed. 4. Perfection is impossible, so don't get hung up on mistakes. Learn from them and move on. 5. It's important to have a positive attitude and enjoy the game, even when things don't go as planned. 6. Practice and preparation are important, but mental preparation is just as crucial. 7. Visualization and mental rehearsal can help you improve your game and perform under pressure. 8. Don't let fear or doubt hold you back. Take risks and trust in yourself and your abilities. 9. Stay in the present moment and stay calm under pressure. Remember, golf is just a game. 10. Finally, always remember to have fun and enjoy the process, no matter what your scorecard says.