Throwing Darts - Dr. Gio Valiante Questions

[BigAl5150]

For an upcoming Throwing Darts column, we will be featuring sports psychologist Dr.Gio Valiante , mental game consultant to Golf Digest and The Golf Channel who also wrote a book, "Fearless Golf" . We would like to give YOU, our forum members an opportunity to come up with a few questions for Dr. Valiante. Just submit them in this thread and we may use your question (or a slight variation of ). Thanks!

[cdriver]

What does he suggest to help recover after a series of bad shots or bad holes to prevent them ruining the rest of the round?

[muskegman]

Some ideas:

What mental game advice can we take off the golf course and into life?

What one thing would you say to high handicappers to improve their mental game?

What is better: The best equipment or a solid mental game?

[NCGolfer]

How do you 'practice' the mental side of golf? Is there a certain routine on the range (or somewhere else) that can help put your mind in focus when on the golf course?

Of all the people you've helped, who has the 'strongest' mind (Chris DiMarco comes to mind)? Is there anyone you'd like to work with?

Do you see a big difference between the eliete college golfers and touring pros when it comes to their mental makeup or problems they face?

[allin]

Wow, great questions.

I would ask how someone identifies which mental areas they are weak in.

For example you can track putts as a measure of putting skill.

How do you track improvement?

How much time does one need to spend on mental improvement practice?

[iacas]

Before I list my own questions (tomorrow, probably) I want to point out that this is an interview... it's not a self-help session. So be sure to think of questions that deal with his background, his life, the biggest surprises he's had in doing his job, the toughest part of writing his book, etc.

We can't all ask him to help us with our mental games, that is.

[tartanjack]

I've read his book and thought it pretty good. My question would be whether he sees a big difference in motivation - the desire to practice, to get better - amongst the elite players he coaches. Are they more often driven by pride, by money or simply inherent competitiveness?

... and welcome to the Sand Trap staff!

[BigAl5150]

Thank you to those who have posted questions. Anyone else have any???

[Rafcin]

what's his relationship with Rotella? Does he feel to have a real competition going? Could he tell us differences between their style?

( sorry, I can't help it - I like to stirr trouble )

[iacas]

I have a bunch. Some may be junk, but I'm throwing them out there. Pick some if you want 'em.

What attracted him to sports psychology to begin with?

You worked with Ashley Prange, winner of Big Break V, as part of her "prize." What were Ashley's strengths? What will she need to work on the most in order to become successful?

What hobbies do you enjoy?

As a psychologist, I imagine you are analyzing your own thoughts constantly. How do you turn it off?

Phil Mickelson prepares weeks in advance for his majors, but puts a lot of the responsibility on Dave Pelz and Rick Smith. Tiger goes it alone, sometimes (as at Hoylake) the week of the tournament. Which method is better, and what does it say about the mentality and approach that each of othose players takes?

Most golf sports psychology - it seems - can be boiled down to a few things: forget your bad shots, have a good pre-shot routine, focus on the target, and play confidently without being overly bold. Why are there hundreds of books on the subject, and what does "Fearless Golf" teach us that we can't find in books from Bob Rotella or others?

What, if anything, could a modern professional golfer learn from the average golfer?

Your book is called "Fearless Golf" - how often does fear affect the average Tour pro? How about the average weekend golfer?

Michelle Wie has been criticized as not having "learned to win," yet she's played well this year and has been in contention quite often and has not collapsed, but simply hasn't won. Can you "learn to win," and if so, what one key piece of advice would you give Michelle at this stage of her career?

It's a Ryder Cup year, so talk of "gamesmanship" will once again surface. How do you recommend a player, pro, amateur, or weekend hacker, handle gamesmanship?

Tiger Woods, like many great athletes, will use a disparaging remark to kick themselves into a higher gear. Do all elite athletes possess the ability to use something as innocuous as the obvious statement Ames made about Tiger's driving as motivation?

What makes a good student? What makes a poor student?

The Meyer-Briggs personality types define people as "ISTP" or "ENFJ" (or some combination of those). What Meyer-Briggs personality type makes for the best golfer? Does it matter?

When did you decide to become a sports psychologist? What made you choose this career path?

How has writing "Fearless Golf" changed your life?

[BigAl5150]

Keep the questions coming . . .

[BigAl5150]

Anyone else????