Sunlit green coastal dunes beside a blue ocean under a clear sky

TESTIMONIALS

What people say about Ralph Cissne and the Will of Golf mind-body program:


"Ralph is very well educated on the fundamentals of the game. He also knows that there is more to golf than just swing mechanics, which is the mental side. His Will of Golf can help golfers of all levels understand the mind-body connection that is crucial for long term progress."


Bobby Hinds

PGA Professional

Los Angeles, CA


“After reading the Will of Golf, I've been able to incorporate Ralph’s mind-body connection philosophy into my instructional curriculum. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to become a better player.”


Brandon Alford

PGA Professional

Oklahoma City, OK


“The Will of Golf program presents a unique mind over matter approach to improve flexibility, focus, and performance. Helpful for any player, from junior to senior, wanting to lower their scores and enjoy the game."


Morgan Haight

Director, Tregnan Golf Academy

Los Angeles, CA


“In the Will of Golf, Ralph takes a deep dive into the critical aspects of the game – physical, mechanical, and psychological – unpacking with ease the keys to improving your scores and learning how to enjoy the game.”


Josh Ault

NCAA Golf Coach

San Rafael, California


"Two critical factors empower golfers to perform to their full potential. A body that is sport specific and a mind purely focused on the task at hand. Ralph Cissne's Will of Golf provides guidelines on how to achieve both in a seemingly effortless way."


John Manack

Instructor, Co-Founder LEAP Golf

Palm Desert, CA


"The Will of Golf program is concise and efficient, just like Ralph's golf swing. Guys in our skins game call him 'the machine' because he gets the job done. His mind-body approach to coaching has definitely helped my game."


Michael S., age 25

Los Angeles, CA


“Two weeks after reading the Will of Golf book I shot a 7-under par 65, the lowest round of my life.”


Luke K., age 43

Pasadena, CA


“I used the techniques I learned in the Will of Golf to overcome a very severe case of tendonitis in my shoulder. The result has been improved flexibility and an index lower by two strokes (to 7.8).”


Rich M., age 55

Long Beach, CA

Recent Posts

Gary Player, pizza and flat belly golf

By Bob Peterson • May 7, 2017
September 21, 2010 - Ralph Cissne I hesitate to offer unsolicited advice during a round of golf unless I expect unfolding events may require the Heimlich maneuver. This technique becomes a challenge should a player choke under the pressure of a $10 bet and their girth exceeds your grasp. A casual skins game among my circle of friends is like playing in an amusement park attended by jokers like Silent Slim, Frogman, Willie, Starch and Lucas the Impaler. None of us are saints, but we can play and generally watch what we eat with the exception of Starch whose stomach looks like he’s into his third trimester. It’s a sign of our times that so many bodies could use Haggar Expand-o-Matic slacks. On the first tee recently Starch rubbed in his Buddha belly and proudly proclaimed, “Look, I’ve lost ten pounds.” There was a moment of silence, but only a moment. “Who are you kidding?” the Impaler countered. “We haven’t seen your belt buckle since the Clinton administration.” Starch did not back down. “My stomach is solid muscle,” he said. “Watch this launch angle.” He gripped and ripped his Pro V1 deep down the fairway. “Don’t you mean ‘lunch’ angle?” The Impaler laughed. “When you speed dial Domino’s tonight lounging in your rusting Ab Rocker, order extra anchovies and tell them to hold the pizza.” As a teenager I was inspired by the discipline of South African Gary Player who was the first professional golfer committed to proper diet and physical fitness. Gary and I are similar size and I’ve followed his example over the years, especially now that the younger flat bellies crush it 320. But my friend Starch doesn’t want any advice on moderation or the consciousness of caloric restriction. Starch is a good sport and a generous soul who is always eager to treat for the pizzas at a card game. The opportunity, when you’re doing Domino’s, is to refrain from eating an entire 2,500-calorie pizza by yourself. Some things, like a good laugh in a casual round, are most satisfying when they are shared. WOG

Relationships, bachelorhood and golf

By Bob Peterson • May 7, 2017
June 14, 2011 - Ralph Cissne Many of my closest golf friends are bachelors. The older ones have been married and are compelled to coach the twenty-some-things on the rewards of patience. The few friends who are married don’t seem to play as often as the others. Even if you love golf it is reasonable that you love your family more. Like an effective golf swing, healthy relationships require stability, balance and perspective. About a year ago I started leaving my sneakers untied. I don’t wear shoes in my place (it’s a yoga thing) so this is convenient for my lifestyle as I live at the beach now. Unless on a long walk the laces hang loose like looping black waves above my arches. Some evenings I roam the strand by the ocean with my shoes untied and consider using the beach as a practice bunker, but haven’t made that happen. You never know when you may need to play a shot from wet packed sand. During our marriage the wife never complained about my passion for golf, but after our divorce her experience unrolled like a Persian rug. Her voice was calm yet firm and, in that moment, surprisingly attractive. I was completely attentive when she said, “For seven long years all you did was play golf, practice golf, talk about golf and watch golf on television.” A revelation because I never thought that behavior was abnormal. You learn a lot when someone suddenly stops laughing at your jokes. Several years later, filled with reflection and existential bachelorhood, I wrote this poem: “Fools fall in love and, clutching their remorse, fools fall apart. The wise move into love like a comfortable old home with lots of room to be alone together.” It’s instructive to be clear about what you want and the choices we make. That way you avoid considerable pain, suffering or arguing about how much time you spend watching The Golf Channel. A woman I met recently listened to a few of my stories and laughed before she said, “My god, I don’t even know you and I already feel like a golf widow.” Not everyone understands the value of self-reliance and the lessons of golf, the challenge the game represents and the opportunity to discover more of who we are. And there are some who do. We move on, raking bunkers whether we stepped in them or not. I wonder how your passion for golf has influenced the quality of your relationships? WOG