Jordan vs. Confidence - Phil vs. Focus

How do you feel when you read a headline like: “Why Jordan Spieth says his golf struggles are a whole lot like yours” or “Mickelson misses cut and is worried about lack of focus”?

As an “everyday golfer”, can you relate to the problems of two of the world’s best—one still in his 20’s, the other north of 50? Are these your struggles, too?

Having scaled the game’s highest heights by the tender age of 21, Speith tumbled back to earth with a very public, 1351 day (3 years and 7 months) “dry spell”—broken, finally, by a win at this year’s Valero Texas Open. His is a journey to rediscover his confidence by using what he calls his “scar tissue” to learn how to deal with the past. “As long as I’m trusting what I’m doing, I know I’m moving in the right direction,” he mused, “…that’s just the head space that I’ve wanted to get into – and for a while now.” (Sound familiar?)

Mickelson sees his problem primarily as a matter of focus that leads to what he calls “short spells where …[my] mind goes numb”. He hasn’t won a tournament in more than 2 years and just last week missed his third cut of the year. Plagued by external distractions, especially spectator’s phones and talking in the gallery, he’s “meeting with a lot of people” to try to solve his concentration problems. “I’m not physically able to keep my focus,” he says. “As I’ve gotten older, I have a hard time focusing.” (Could this be you?)

There’s such a simple answer…for both of them (and for you too!): Use ShoeTips! It’s even Permitted under The Rules of Golf by the USGA!!

Hey Jordan, want a reminder to trust your swing and/or your process? Slide a “Commit/Trust” tip over your shoe laces. If there’s something else you want to remember to bring to your game, flip through our other 17 pre-printed tips—choose one that relates to “feel” or “technique” or write a tip of your own that expresses your intention. If “Commit/Trust” is all you need, that’s fine too.

And Phil, if you’re looking for techniques to be able to focus, we think all you really need is a physical (visual) reminder: a ShoeTip that says, “Breathe/Focus”. It’s only human to be distracted by ringing cell phones and people gabbing. To get back inside your own head, just look down at your shoe and fill your mind with the words “Breathe” and “Focus”. Et voila! Magical focus!

(Just remember to put on your shoes!)

Here's to playing better golf!