A Masters contender offers a lesson on the best way to navigate conflicting thoughts
By mastering this psychological tool, you'll be able to manage conflicting thoughts on the golf course
On Sunday, tied for the lead heading into the final round of the Masters, Cameron Young faced a dilemma: acknowledge the magnitude of the opportunity, or treat it like any other round? The answer ended up being both. The PGA of America shared this quote from David Young, Cameron’s father and coach: “Although we all accept that today is not just another tournament round, the best way to attack it is to keep our routine pretty normal.
” David brings up a conundrum: It’s Cameron’s usual game that got him there, yet the moment is so different. How can he convince himself to play like it’s a normal round? If he lets himself feel this moment is so important, so special, the pressure will mount, making it harder to perform.
So, what should he do? Pretend that nothing is different? Impossible.
What is he supposed to think? He can do what his dad says: He can think both things at the same time. David Young’s advice to his son is tapping into what psychologists call “holding the dialectic.