For golfers that play multiple courses, or for those who don’t get a chance to practice every day, dialing in your feel, especially around the green, can be an important factor in your success. Since we all do not have a Stimpmeter or putting guru on speed dial, finding a way to get a good idea of how the greens are rolling prior to our round is key. Dr. Joe Parent suggests a game that replaces the typical “hit and hope” practice that normally takes place on the green. By hitting putts towards the fringe and getting a feel for your stroke, contact and roll before looking up, our senses are more fully engaged in the process.
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A distinguished PGA Tour and LPGA Sports Psychologist/Instructor, Dr. Parent has worked with major champions and many other top professionals. He has the singular distinction of coaching both a man — Vijay Singh — and a woman — Cristie Kerr — to the #1 World Ranking.
His books, including the #1 best-seller ZEN GOLF®: Mastering the Mental Game®, have sold over a million copies in print, digital, and audio formats worldwide in ten different languages. Golf Digest Magazine named Dr. Parent to their list of “Top Mental Game Experts in the World” in 2005 and again in 2013 (the only years they have published such a list).
Dr. Joe has been featured on ESPN, HBO Sports, CNN, NBC, CBS and ABC, as well as many appearances on Golf Channel. He has worked with many top celebrities and star athlete golfers, among them Ray Romano, Kevin James, George Lopez, Anthony Anderson, Patrick Warburton, Michael O’Keefe (Danny Noonan in Caddyshack), Malcolm McDowell, Michael Bolton, Robby Krieger (The Doors), Kenny G, Marcus Allen, Oscar de la Hoya, Byron Scott and Alonzo Mourning.
Dr. Joe teaches in southern California at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa Resort. He also offers lessons and executive coaching by phone, Facetime or Skype to students all over the world.
“Zen Golf® is the best book at connecting the mind and golf together. The lessons in Zen Golf® make the mental game seem so simple. There are lots of ideas about the mental side of golf out there, but not so much on how to implement them. Dr. Parent has given me very effective methods for working with thoughts and emotions, and for taking the negatives out of the picture. What Doc teaches really helps, it’s for everyone, and you’re going to enjoy it. He has been a great influence on my mental game.”
-Vijay Singh, #1 in World Rankings 2004-2005, Masters and PGA Champion
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