Getting the mind right

It started like the opening scene of a road movie, but Jos's story is not one of an aimless wanderer. Jos Vanstiphout is a man with a mission.

Jos's quest began about five years ago in Belgium, his home country. He rustled together $30,000 and went in search of Timothy Gallway. He had read his book about the Inner Game of golf, the mental approach to the game. It had such an impact on him that he abandoned his life in Belgium and flew to New York.

The only connection Jos had with Gallway was the name of the publishers of his book, Random House, New York. After four days of hanging around the office of Random House without getting any closer to discovering Gallway's address, one of the secretaries, who admired his tenacity but was sick of being greeted by Jos every day, suggested he go to Florida to try to locate his quarry. There had been rumours that he had been sighted in Miami.

So off to Florida. Still, two weeks of art deco living and there was no sign of Gallway. Word had it that he had moved to California. So Jos found himself in LA three weeks after his arrival.

Le Dome restaurant on Sunset Boulevard, a haunt for celebrities, is owned by Eddie Kerkhofs, a friend of Jos. Eddie could find Tim Gallway for Jos, if anyone could. He was to spend his next few weeks with Eddie in the Dome eating through his $30,000 budget and without a glimpse of the elusive Mr Gallway.

Next stop San Diego, and still no sign. A man of less resilience might have gone surfing or star gazing, but not Jos. Five days foraging in San Diego and he headed to Palm Springs.

In what was appearing to be a wild guru chase, Jos was on what he considered a hot scent at PGA West when at midday the teaching golf and tennis pros were meeting for lunch. He cried forlornly around the dining area, "Can any one tell me where to find Tim Gallway"? Sean Brawley was the response.

Sean Brawley is a former US Tennis teaching pro and a good friend of Gallway's. So Jos wound his weary trail to Camarillo, north of LA, and enrolled with Brawley as a tennis student with ulterior motives. Some two months after arriving in New York, Jos had Gallway within his grasp.

A few more days of tennis lessons and Jos finally got to meet his idol, Timothy Gallway. Gallway invited Jos to his home in Carmel; he stayed for three months learning the Inner Game.

Four years on, Jos is firmly established on the Tour range. His first player, Jos tells me, was a Dutchman who had his best year when he worked with Jos. Ross Drummond, who was on the alsoran list, sought Jos's help and ended up with his highest finish on the rankings four years ago.

Retief Goosen was Jos's most recent success story, jumping from 87th to first on the order of merit within three months of approaching Jos.

Last week, at the European Open, there were 14 players on Jos's couch so to speak: Eduardo Romero, Philip Walton, Andrew Sherbourne, Mark McNulty, Jarrod Moseley, Roger Chapman, Domingo Hospital, Richard Green, Michael Campbell, Clinton Whitelaw, Angel Cabrera, Emanuel Canonica, Retief Goosen and, a new member to the team, Darren Clarke.

Despite yesterday's hiccup, if Darren's recent performances are anything to go by we should check Jos's new pupil list every week to try to get a good price on them.

Darren worked mainly on his chipping and putting with Jos. A round of 60 would suggest that Darren did none of the former and very little of the latter on the course. A bright pupil.

Jos concentrates on four principles of the Inner Game: a) Awareness. What am I doing? b) Focus on what your body is doing without trying to correct it. c) Trust in what and who you are. d) Let Go. Be in the zone.

He describes himself as a Mental Coach, not a Sports Psychologist. There are no letters after his name, no diplomas hanging in his study, just a wealth of life experiences such as his search for Tim Gallway.

His formal education ended at the age of 13. The youngest of a family of 10, he had to leave school early due to lack of funds. A self-funded night course at university was Jos's only formal education.

What Jos demands of his disciples is the ability to dream and to believe in the dream. Coupled with a strong work ethic to achieve that target, Jos will give his players everything. By giving, he feels he receives more. With a 12 to 14-hour work day, there is no question about Jos's commitment. He is frequently first on the range and last off it.

Many observers of golf professionals cynically suggest that there are not many intellectuals among the divot launchers on the range. Jos reckons that anyone with a tour card has got their degree as far as he is concerned, otherwise they wouldn't be there.

With his respect for his clients, and the obstinacy of a pit bull when it comes to realising his dream, maybe some protege in years to come will begin his long search for the elusive Mr Vanstiphout, last seen leaving the range.