Swing thoughts seem to get a lot of attention, and I’ve already covered some good tips on dealing with swing thoughts in my free golf tips video series.
Today I want to ask one question:
Whenever you have played your very best golf, is it usually down to MORE or LESS thinking?
Over and over again when I have asked some of the world’s finest golfers about their very best performances, it seems the repeating pattern is one of a QUIET mind or a CALM mind, as opposed to a mind drowning in thinking.
Golf is a curious game because it demands thought. You need to think about your current lie, the best place to land the ball for your next shot, the on-course hazards (water, bunkers etc), speed of the green, effects of the wind, etc. The list goes on.
But after all that thinking, you just need to switch to automatic and just play the shot. The swing thought you choose can help reduce the chatter in your mind – if you haven’t already seen my swing thoughts video (it’s free), you can get some good ideas on how to do this.
And please leave your thoughts and ideas below.
Regards,
Karl
Ps – If you are on our players golf coaching programme, you’ll find the topic just published in the ‘Effective Practice Swing’ course helpful. In this topic, I share a rock solid method to ‘cross the bridge’ from thinking to playing. Members can login here (non-members can signup for my MIND FACTOR Players Coaching programme here).
Ideas anyone?
4 Responses so far »
Tags: swing thoughts
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 1:06 PM
I have found that the simpler and less cluttered the swing thoughts the better the result.
In my experience one or two maximum swing thoughts give the best results.
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Hi Karl,
Interesting you talk about playing on automatic and having one swing thought.
Have you looked at all at the work of Carey Mumford and his clear keys?
I have been using this for the past season and am convinced it is the route to better golf by ridding the mind of internal chatter.
Email me and I will tell you more about it and can introduce you to Carey himself.
regards
Andrew
on Sep 9th, 2009 at 12:52 PM
If only I could go out with a medal card in my hand and not be concerned about getting point 1 back I am sure I would play better golf. However, as a member of a golf club you are made to feel that your handicap is important and will determine who will be prepared to commit to playing with you in a competition. I always play better golf when I play with a partner or as part of a team because my handicap is not at stake.
on Sep 10th, 2009 at 12:56 PM
@ Joy.
Joy, think of it this way, .1 back is the worst thing that can happen you or your handicap. Its absolutely nothing in the great scheme of things, especially if you have a great score and lose a shot or more. recognise that although you could get point on eback, its not a big deal, then relax and go out and play great golf!