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Frequently Asked Questions
at the Zone Golf Academy
1. Why do I get so nervous on the first tee, and what can I do about it?
Remember that only you and your wife (or your significant other) are the only people that care about your first shot. And by the way, she doesn’t!
The other guys teeing off have their own issues. If you kill a ball, they feel that they cannot possibly hit it as well. And if you whiff, they think that if a good player like you can whiff; then they do not have a chance.
Nobody gives a damn!
And nobody is going to judge you or your character on one bad shot or one bad round. Stuff happens to everybody. These thoughts disarm the fear of embarrassment- the biggest fear for amateur players.
2. Is there a trick to avoiding a very poor start to a round of golf?
Yes.
The first thing is to not even entertain expectations- no matter if the expectations are good or bad. They are poison.
Replace expectations with thoughts of “Let’s see what happens. And what ever happens, I will be able to scramble my way out of the trouble when it appears.”
Be more curious than afraid.
The only certainty is that your ball striking will be different than it was on the range.
The second thing is to eliminate the fears and doubt.
The third thing is to simulate playing the first 3 holes (or your favorite first holes) on the range right before you start your round.
Pull the club, do your pre-shot routine, and send the ball to the target. Even putt a few balls to nowhere- you are just working on biomechanics, a square blade to the club path, and rhythm.
Question #3 - What to do when the ‘wheels start to fall off’?
This is a great question that we get asked by nearly every professional as well as all amateurs.
In short:
- The ‘wheels falling off’ (WFO) condition is usually caused by mental clutter, interference, or confusion. The simple fix is to remove the clutter- please read further on how to accomplish this.
- This mental confusion is most often driven by fears and doubt. Replace fearful thinking with a trusting mindset. Trust that you can take the club back and send the ball to the target- just like in practice or the previous time you hit a particular shot.
- You cannot change your swing mechanics on the course, but you CAN clear your mind and re-center your thoughts on where is the precise target and freedom of swing with structure.
- Focus on the process of getting to the target with a free swing/stroke, and the outcome will take care of itself. Eliminate outcome-related thoughts.
- Trust it. Commit to it. It is better to be sure than it is to be correct! Because any doubt/fear raises the probability of hacking.
- Do not allow ANY negative self-talk. Talk to yourself like you do your best playing partner.
- Last but not least: Breathe! Long and deep diaphragmatic breathing (with re-centering thoughts on the target) have been proven to eliminate stress and tension that are driven by fearful and doubtful thoughts that cause the wheels to fall off.
Other Frequent Questions and Answers
- Why do you need to take regular lessons from an instructor?
Most professional golfers regularly see their technique instructors, trainers, and mental game coach to keep the work on the conscious level and create the fastest track to improved performance. Everybody reverts to ‘prior programming’ or old habits unless the changes and objectives are refreshed daily. Also, the regular sessions narrow the focus and removes clutter from the mind.
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- What is unique about the Zone-Golf system?
The Zone-Golf system, which integrates the mind-body-technique components was developed by a ‘systems analysis type of guy’ who has spent 30+ years learning about learning, teaching, retaining information, body-mechanics, change theory, injury prevention, how to compete, and the optimization of performance.
All concepts and techniques come directly from Masters instructors/trainers. The same people that work with Vijay Singh, David Toms, Tom Pernice, Mike Weir, Peter Jacobsen, and thousands of other professionals and amateurs. Additional resources include touring professionals, a library of 500+ books, a collection of 100+ DVD/CD programs, four bio-feedback devices, and 85+ training aids.
The system has helped golfers to improve and have more fun playing in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and even 80s. The mental game aspects have helped clients in business and in life.
All of our instructors must comply with the rigid Zone-Golf Academy code of conduct, ethics, and presentation.
All instructors teach you to eventually teach yourself.
Your Zone-Golf Program Manager developed the system for you and is still actively working his game to remain competitive at the highest level. He is in his mid-60s and playing to a 1 handicap- his best ever. He knows the challenges of being 40+ years of age and knows how to accommodate physical liabilities. All information provided are from Master instruction and insights. We coach the mind-body-technique components depending on your weakest link and your objectives. And if your budget allows it, all instruction will be done by Top 50 teachers/trainers.
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- What is the first step and how long will the Zone-Golf Improvement program take?
The first step is to contact us for more information and an evaluation. This evaluation blends your goals, objectives, and time commitment with your current and potential abilities.
The best results come from several face-to-face sessions for the first month or two. Then you go to a maintenance cycle that can sometimes be done over the phone or merely ‘homework’.
Zone-Golf works within your budget so do not let a restricted budget prevent you from getting at least a prescription and blue print for your improvement program.
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- Why have I not heard about this Zone Golf simplified approach to improving performance?
Lee Woodard developed the Zone-Golf system and studio to improve his own game. He then realized that he wanted to ‘pass along’ this innovative system to others. However, Lee number 1 objective is to make money on a Master’s Tour, so he is limiting the teaching of his system to just his golfing friends. The result is a limited audience for his system and teachings.
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- But wouldn’t it be more rewarding to provide the transfer of master knowledge and experience to a bigger audience?
Yes. Lee is looking to train 1-2 friends, who actually want to work/learn to eventually teach the system. Once those teachers are certified, Zone-Golf will be marketed.
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- Have you thought about a book?
Yes. There are four books in the “Zone Golf HOW to Master” series that are 30-60% complete. Soon these will be available on the web site so people can learn main components of the system without a wait for a formal publication. This method will allow Zone-Golf to reach the most people and allow them to get master insights and instruction nearly free.
The four titles are:
- “Zone Golf; How to Master the Zone and Stay There”
- “Zone Golf; How to Master the Mental Game”
- “Zone Golf; How to Master the Physical Game”
- “Zone Golf; How to Master the Swing/Stroke Techniques”
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- Where did Lee Woodard get the background to generate such a system?
Lee accumulated a warehouse of information and experience. He has:
- Learned exactly what PGA professionals do to improve their performance. For many years, Lee has relied on master instructors who teach elite players.
- Studied, practiced with, and learned from Tom Pernice, Jr for 8 years. This was a near-daily activity as travel permitted. Tom has been 50-100th on the PGA tour for the last 10+ years- his earnings are over $18M. He survived Q-school 14 times! At age 49 he is playing the best golf of his life. Lee has been mentored by Tom and his instructors/trainers.
- 52+ consecutive years competing in organized sports- three at the national level. All of Lee’s athletic successes came in spite of very modest physical skills when compared with the players he competed with. His successes come from over-learning techniques / biomechanics, ‘imitating’ the best, practicing with feedback, and grinding it out with a strong mental game.
- The passions of learning, analyzing, applying, and teaching techniques to optimize the performance of people, computers, and systems. He retired from Lakeshore Learning Company as CIO and Sr. VP to complete his ‘technical’ career after 33 years. He has mentored and taught all of his life.
- He has acquired 500+ books on golf technique, the mental game, and health/conditioning. And he daily reads or refers to parts of this library.
- He has owns 4 biofeedback devices to measure you ability to focus and be in the Zone as well as 76 other training devices and has generated reviews or critiques.
- He has over 80 dvd/vhs/cd programs involving the stroke/swing, conditioning, and the mental game. He has several excellent programs on stress management and relaxation techniques
- Lee was President, a founding co-partner, and Director of Training for a Top 5 Mental Game company. That company has a client list that includes Vijay Singh, David Toms, Hunter Mahan, and more.
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- How/Why did Lee Woodard get into the golf business?
After years of research, competing, working with master instructors, and studying some of the best professionals; Lee realized he had a collection of knowledge and information that HAD to be passed on to others.
His first objective is to show that the Zone-Golf system works (especially in the 50+ age group) by qualifying for a PGA Champions Tour event. At his age of 63+, this would additionally validate the system. Passing the PGA PAT with 73/73, recently shooting a 33/32 for a personal best of 65*, and winning prize money in his first Golden State Tour Masters have already validated the system.
His second objective is to pass the Zone-Golf word. So he developed a system, a studio, an academy, and a web site to pass master or expert insights/instruction to friends within the constraints of their budget.
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Why does Lee charge for his sessions if is objective is just to ‘pass the word’?
Lee was taught that when there is money involved the level of commitment to the program is very high by the student and the instructor. Everybody pays more attention.
A retention system is provided clients including a CD/DVD of the lesson, printouts of pictures/excepts, a notebook/folder for materials, etc. And unlimited e-mail / phone questions. And access to the Studio driving range and library. And a near-daily happy hour.
The final reason to charge is the Studio, web site, and equipment cost the company about $35k plus a monthly lease fee.
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- What is Lee Woodard’s connection with Dr. Joe Parent and Zen Golf?
Dr. Joe (author of ‘Zen Golf’ and ‘Zen Putting’) is brilliant and extremely creative. As a mental game mentor, he has been outstanding. He has also helped crystallize many mental game concepts that Lee has developed.
Dr Joe owns/operates Zen Golf International, and Lee owns / operates The Zone-Golf Academy. Dr. Joe and Lee share players from time to time, and they remain best of friends.
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- Does Zone-Golf use techniques of other mental game experts?
Yes. Some of our experts specialize in different areas of the mental game.
This is why the Zone-Golf Academy uses five textbooks.
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Check back often for updates, answers and comments.
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