My Story

Phil Littman: Golf Instructor & Psychotherapist
Phil Littman is a retired psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in private practice in the Sacramento area. He is also a lifelong golfer who integrates sports psychology into his golf instruction.

  • Started Playing Golf: Began playing with his first set of clubs received for his bar mitzvah.

  • Golf Experience: Primarily recreational, with some competitive success.

  • Teaching Focus: For the past three years, Phil has trained to bring his psychotherapy skills to golf instruction at Haggin Oaks Golf Course.

  • Approach: Aligns with Vision 54 and incorporates various psychological techniques into his teaching.

For more information or to contact Phil:

 

 

Haggin Oaks Golf Course & Northern California Golf Institute
Haggin Oaks is the top golf teaching facility in Northern California, offering an array of resources for golfers.

  • 36 Holes of Golf

  • 3 Teaching Holes

  • TrackMan Technology on the driving range

  • 3 Large Practice Putting Greens

  • 18-Hole Golf Course designed by Alistair McKenzie

  • Award-Winning Pro Shop recognized for retail excellence

  • Club Fitting: Superior club fitters and three state-of-the-art fitting studios

Learn more at Haggin Oaks Website

 

 

VISION 54
Phil has trained with Vision 54, a program developed by Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott, authors of How to Be a Player. Their program focuses on developing human skills for golf.

  • Human Skills Focus:

    1. Pre-shot routine: Think Box, Play Box, Memory Box

    2. Balance

    3. Tempo

    4. Tension awareness

    5. Emotional resilience

    6. Managing self-talk

    7. Mastery of variability

  • Key Benefit: Develop a purposeful approach to each shot, shifting from intellectual understanding to a deeper integration with the game.

 

 

Golf Somatic Awareness
Somatic awareness involves being mindful of your body’s sensations, improving the mind-body connection during the golf swing.

  • What it is: Focus on sensations in your body, such as grip, arm and leg movement, and club position during the swing.

  • Why it’s important: Helps improve consistency and control of your swing by understanding how your body movements affect the club’s movement.

  • Benefits:

    • Improved consistency

    • Better control

    • Reduced reliance on muscle memory

  • How to Develop It:

    • Focus on the sensation of your body and the club

    • Engage in mindful practice

    • Experiment with different movements

    • Visualize your swing

 

 

Performance Enhancement: Golf & Bilateral Stimulation
Bilateral stimulation enhances mental focus and stress management, benefiting both physical conditioning and mental performance.

  • Mental Training: Visualization and neural pathways help improve focus and performance under pressure.

  • Bilateral Stimulation: A technique from EMDR therapy that uses both sides of the brain to enhance focus, reduce stress, and overcome mental blocks.

  • Integration: Combining physical conditioning, mental training, and bilateral stimulation leads to better performance, control, and mental resilience.

Watch Milo Raonic’s discussion on bilateral stimulation: Video

 

 

Guided Imagery and Golf
Guided imagery is a mental technique that helps golfers visualize successful shots, relax, and improve focus.

  • How It Works:

    • Pre-Round Visualization: Mentally rehearse the round to set a positive tone.

    • Shot-Specific Imagery: Visualize each shot’s process, from stance to ball flight.

    • Calming the Mind: Use imagery to relax and refocus, especially under stress.

    • Positive Outcomes: Visualize successful shots to build confidence and improve performance.

 

 

The Art of Putting
Putting requires creativity, personal technique, and the ability to connect mind and body for success.

  • Personalization: No two golfers putt the same way, and finding your unique stroke is part of the joy.

  • Putting Class:

    1. Find your personal putting stroke

    2. Develop a routine

    3. Learn how to read greens

    4. Improve lag putting and reduce 3-putts

    5. Visualize making putts

Phil was a former Sacramento Golf Club putting champion.

 

 

Alexander Technique and Golf
The Alexander Technique focuses on improving posture, movement, and body alignment to enhance golf performance.

  • Benefits:

    1. Improved posture and alignment

    2. Enhanced body awareness and movement

    3. Reduced tension for smoother swings

    4. Injury prevention by optimizing body mechanics

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Golf
CBT enhances emotional resilience, mental focus, and performance on the golf course.

  • Mental Focus & Self-Regulation: Develop strategies to manage anxiety and negative thoughts.

  • Managing Pressure: Reframe challenges as opportunities to improve.

  • Building Confidence: Learn from mistakes and setbacks to maintain a positive mindset.

  • Visualization: Use thought reframing and mental imagery to boost performance.

Integrating CBT into your golf game can improve both physical skill and mental toughness.