Ernie Els Quotes

I always say golf's a really good exposer of a player's personality.

Vermaelen is like a role model to me. His life is all about football and he's extremely disciplined. I'm more laid-back than he is. Thomas isn't the type of person to go out for a drink on a regular basis, unlike me.

A kid grows up a lot faster on the golf course. Golf teaches you how to behave.

I'm very competitive, but I know when not to be competitive. I know how to have fun, but I know when it's time to get serious. That makes things a lot easier.

One thing that golf teaches you is humility.

I've always really just liked football, and I've always devoted a lot of time to it. When I was a kid, my friends would call me to go out with them, but I would stay home because I had practice the next day. I like going out, but you have to know when you can and when you can't.

Writing is like playing golf - you have to keep working at your swing.

I think I am disciplined when I need to be, and relax when I can.

I can't be impatient. It would show on the floor, and I won't compete if I'm thinking about getting the ball.

When you're young, you want to do everything. You want to go out and find girls; you want to have a drink - there are a lot of things you want to do. But if you want to make it to the top, there are a lot of things you can't do.

The U.S. Open just takes so much discipline. You have got to be a great putter and just kind of let things roll off your back.

For most of my 20s I felt the need to focus solely on my goals and let nothing distract me.

I've got my head down, working hard, while others are chasing other frivolous things.

I can let go of a lot of stuff, but I focus on things I think I should, like dancing, because it takes 100 percent concentration on every step.

When priorities are proper, the power to endure is increased. And when internalized, those priorities will help keep you from "going overboard."

Middle age is when you're faced with two temptations and you choose the one that will get you home by nine o'clock.

In life... we need to find a balance. You have to set rules and limitations - that is called discipline. And you have to practice that in all your worlds.

There are so many lessons in life that can be learned through golf. I am not afraid to say that I am still learning some of them and probably will continue for some time.

And it was a great experience, you know, to travel the world and compete at a certain level. It teaches you discipline, focus, and certainly keeps you out of trouble.

I'm someone who always comes on the court no matter what's going on in my life. It's all about basketball and my teammates and my team. I don't let any distractions in, and I bring my best every night, regardless of what's going on or what people are talking about.

I am a believer in discipline; it takes a lot to do well. You need discipline for those little excursions into the chaotic that make life interesting.

The thing about dancing - what it taught me all those years - is it gives you an amazing sense of discipline in forcing yourself to do things that you know are good for you but you don't really want to do.

I'd like to be more patient! I just want everything now. I've tried to meditate, but it's really hard for me to stay still. I'd like to try to force myself to do it, because everybody says how wonderful meditation is for you, but I can't shut my mind up. So patience and learning is the key.

Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.

Concentration is my motto - first honesty, then industry, then concentration.