All golfers are familiar with the saying “paralysis by analysis.” When you are thinking about how to swing your club, you are not playing the game of golf. You are playing practice range golf. The key to playing good golf is to trust all the practice and training you have done to create your golf swing.
Indecision is the enemy of golfers
You must be decisive about what you are going to do. Once you make up your mind, don’t change it. Don’t hit another shot until you have prepared your mind and are ready to trust your decision.
Stop thinking so much and allow your subconscious mind to take over your swing. Clear your mind of technique thoughts. Clear your mind of all interfering thoughts. Develop a pre-shot routine that will prepare you to stop thinking when you are over the ball.
Prepare your mind with your pre-shot routine
Following are some things to consider in your preparation.
- Be decisive about the club you choose.
- Be decisive about picking your target.
- Imagine the flight of the ball going to the target.
- Take deep breaths to relax your body AND your thinking mind.
- Take practice swings to access your rhythm and tempo.
- Feel and trust your swing.
- Align correctly using an intermediate target.
- Focus your eyes on the ball and swing down your target line.
- Swing at a power rate where you finish in perfect balance.
Practice your pre-shot routine on the range until you can execute it without thinking. The more consistent your routine is on every shot, the more consistent your shots will be.
A good movie draws your focus until it has your undivided attention. A golf shot can draw you into its creation the same way by following the same pre-shot routine. Using a consistent routine will:
- keep your muscles relaxed
- keep away the negative/interfering thoughts
- give you the right process to focus on.
At the end of your pre-shot routine you will be completely focused on executing a good swing.
Play “In the Zone” with Joan
Entrain Your Heart & Mind for Peak Performances
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