The Mental Side of Match Play
The Mental Side of Match Play
Many of us might assume that there isn't too much debate about the characteristics of a good match player. Clearly, the ability to play your game in the best or worst of conditions better or worse can be useful, conversely we know that bad match players are people easily put off their game or cannot perform when they need to most. Therefore, if you want to win the better part of your matches you simply need to play consistent. However, this idea strikes me as too easy - too simple. If that is all there was to match play than your local course would be overflowing with excellent match players. I must confess, there is a great deal more in match play than there appears to be.I would propose that preparation for match play begins the moment you step into the clubhouse. Many golfers have been known to play their "best" game before they even step onto the green. Often, good match players will try to get inside your head by making coy suggestions about certain aspects of their game (or yours for that matter). They may comment on certain aspects of the green, or lavish praise upon you for a hole well played. In short, remember that golf is a far more mental, than physical game, and be prepared for chance remarks that might have greater implications than you might otherwise expect.I believe that many of the "chance remarks" made on the first tee, or during the course of a match, have an important affect upon the result. If you are a person who is prone to the comments or suggestions of an opponent, you must try to let these chance remarks pass through your mind like "water through a sieve." Some people might laugh at the suggestion that a person of strong willpower cannot impose their desires upon a person of weaker. I even have a perfect example of this concept in action.In an important match, one of the players was sinking his putts from all parts of the green. After some time, his opponent, in calm and casual manner said, "You know, I just can't make out how it is you manage to sink so many putts with such a strong grip." I can only assume that this comment led the golfer to question whether or not his grip was strong, because his short game suddenly broke down. On the next putt he had to play he was thinking more of his grip than of the putt - that simple remark put him completely off his game.Broadly speaking, the play of an opponent affects most golfers in two ways: the method of play, and the result of that method. Furthermore, we must consider the temperament of an opponent, and his or her attitude towards life in general. Since all types of people play golf, the novice must expect to encounter: the talkative player, and his opposite, the self-centered or introverted golfer. You must be mentally prepared to face whatever comments, criticism, or flattery that an opponent might give, and allow them to flow through you, unnoticed.Undoubtedly, it will be of benefit to all of you to vary your opponents as much as possible and to play frequently with strangers. It calls for greater effort to play your best game under such conditions, and vice versa, it can be detrimental to play with one or two of your friends and to avoid other opponents. Many golfers get into the habit of pairing always with a friend; someone whom they can play against with very little mental effort. Remember, you are better off playing against someone that you can never beat, than someone you can always beat. Your mind is your greatest weapon - guard it well!
The Legal Side of Divorce
The Legal Side of Divorce
While divorce can be an emotionally draining experience, even in the best of situations, it can also be a complicated legal matter that affects both parties equally. No matter how long your marriage has lasted or how few belongings you share together, it is also best to involve an attorney in your divorce proceedings. With out legal representation your rights could go unprotected and you could end up in financial trouble or even lose custody of your children or possessions.Once you have contacted an attorney for legal representation, he or she will walk you through the most common steps of a divorce. Depending on the circumstances revolving around your divorce, this process can either be very simple and straight forward, or very complicated and time consuming.The simplest divorces involve parties that have not been together very long, that do not have any children and that have very few, if any, shared items to divide. More complicated divorces come about from parties with a lot of mutually owned property, young children, and non-agreement on the proceedings. Non-agreement can include such things as differing opinions on how to split up property to bigger concerns such one party not wanting to agree to the divorce.The first step in any divorce is filing a petition to announce your intentions of divorce. Even if both parties want a divorce, only one party will file this petition. In the petition, you lawyer will list your reason for seeking divorce. He or she will also advise you on which reason is more acceptable for your situation.After a petition has been filed, your lawyer may suggest that you file a temporary order. A temporary order is usually filed for concerns about custody and child support where one party will need financial support or the guarantee of custody until final judgment is made. These orders are awarded within days of filing and stay in effect until the court hearing in your case.Once a person has filed a petition for divorce or any temporary orders, these petitions are served to the other party. Through this service, the other party is notified of all petitions against him or her and is given the chance to respond to the petitions. In mutually agreed upon divorces, the response is as simple as a comment acknowledging the petition. In cases of disagreement, the response may contain disputes covering anything from the grounds of the divorce to disagreements on the division of property, child custody or support.If there is no disagreement once a petition has been filed, then both parties will proceed without a trial to the dissolution of their marriage. However, if there are disagreements, further steps will need to be taken to sort them out.Depending on the type of disagreement, the court has many venues to use to help the parties reach agreement. In the case of custody battles, the court may order both parties to attend a mediation session where a third party can help them settle their difference. In some cases, the court might also order an evaluation with a social worker to ensure that any solution is in the best interest of the children.If the disagreement concerns monetary or property division, the court may order a conference for both parties that is overseen by a lawyer or a court employee. In this case the third party will work to help individual compromise while still holding onto their rights.If the parties still cannot agree on the terms or provisions of the divorce, a trial will be necessary. In a divorce trial, both sides will explain and defend their positions and then a judge will decide on all matters of grounds, property division, child custody and support. Once the judge has made his ruling an order of dissolution is granted.An order of dissolution legally ends the marriage and sets forth the legally binding terms for the end of the marriage. The terms include the judgments ordered on property division and child support.Since each divorce comes with individual concerns and many migrating circumstances, it is very important that you choose a competent and experienced lawyer to represent you and your interests.