Seve Ballesteros

I was able to watch Seve play golf in person when he brought his talented game to America. That was a time when watching golf was more entertaining than it is now. (JMO) His short game imagination was the envy of all his competitors. He is also a perfect example of why you can't compare one era of golfing pro to those of another era. GJS

I saw "The King" at a an Irish open some years ago. I watched him on the practice range for an hour and marvelled at his swing. Every club from wedge to driver straight as an arrow. When he went to the first tee he proceeded to drive it out of bounds. This was at a time when he was encountering mind games and he never got back to where he wanted to be. He finished on the 18th with a 12. I really hope his health improves and that we may at least get to hear him commentating on TV again. There will never be another Seve

This has become a profound and most interesting debate, thanks to Neil and Mariner for your insight. I can see both sides of this discussion and each has it's merit, I would humbly add that from my own aspect I know that I must have a belief beyond personal doubt that I can make a drive/shot/putt to play at my peak.

Speaking of Seve, does anyone know how he is doing after his brain operations? It's very sad. Someone told me the other day his friend Jose Maria Olazabal broke down at a recent tournament as it was Seves birthday and he felt he should have been there with him.

I like this concept that if you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything.

However, you can then argue that Bill Gates has the ability to become Michael Jordan, Michael Jordan has the ability to become Stephen Hawkings, and Stephen Hawkings has the ability to become Bill Gates. Obviously they excelled in their field because they had the belief in themselves, therefore they believe they can excel in any other field too.

Don't forget how bad Michael Jordan was as a baseball player, after he won 3 NBA championships.

Still needs some more chemo apparently but it seems to be going as well as can be expected. Made an appearance at hos local football teams game just recently.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8032060.stm

For Seve fans everywhere enjoy this little BBC broadcast from 2001.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/7664681.stm

and this

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/7664687.stm

Hi bdbl
some great clips of Seve at his best. boy does he launch himself into the ball when playing some of his shots.
as you said Seve has been seen at a couple of football games with his brother and still receiving treatment but so far things look good.
cheers
Bill

I can see where you are coming from, but there are still lots of things you are not going to be able to do, no matter what you tell yourself, to which you may argue that at least you will get closer than if you took the realistic view!
But don't you find it frustrating if you tell yourself you are brilliant then top the next 4 shots and get an eight?
I've spent the last 26 years trying to hit perfect golf shots way beyond my abilities and getting frustrated as aresult, but I'm now playing the best golf of my life, and what's more imortant, enjoying it more, even when I have a bad round, solely because of reading ray Floyd's book "The Elements of scoring"
He is saying nearly the opposite to you - he's saying even Hogan hit only 3 or 4 perfectly struck shots in a round, so how come you expect to hit more than that? All your shots are going to be mishits to some degree therefore don't be surprised by them and just make sure you miss into good places and not bad ones. It's almost negative thinking, but all I can say is it works for me, taking the pressure off and stopping me getting upset because my 5 iron was 3 inches off line.
I've no doubt your points are valid, but it's interesting how so totally an opposite point of view is equally valid.

Naturally that was intended to be a response to Neil18's last post . . . . I think we can sum up our differences with a variation on his signature -

Luke - I don't believe it!
Yoda - That is why you fail

Luke - I believe I can cream it 350 yards through that narrow gap into the middle of the fairway.
Yoda - that is why you went OOB and got a seven.

Only in jest - I know you have to see your self making good shots and sinking putts, but there is a limit, whether you choose to believe it or not.

There are few instruction videos from the great man on the Golf International site. They disappeared for a while but they seem to have found there way back!

http://www.golfinternationalmag.com/i...&Itemid=67