Looking for a golf tip that will help you in your next game?
If you know me you’ll know I’m not a fan of golf tips. But what I’m about to share with you is a strategy that can be used throughout your round to maximise your chances of playing your best golf. So it’s more than a golf tip – it really should become part of your golf routine.
So what’s the tip?
It’s to soften your mind.
All to often we let the pressure of the course, our score, playing partners or the situation get the better of us.
We over think and attempt to take in too much information. This might seem like the right thing to do but it rarely is.
Over thinking is a form of choking. Motor skills are performed best when we get out of our own way. They don’t require conscious input. So no matter how much you feel the need to think and analyse you need to let go – or soften your mind.
“Stop your wheels spinning” is a term I like to use. Relax, focus on what you want to do and hit the ball. It’s simple but there’s nothing else you can really do.
If you have trouble softening your mind you can listen to the birds, feel the wind in your face or smell the roses. This will do the trick.
Addition: I should have added that this approach of softening your mind will help in all areas of day to day living. Driving in peak hour traffic, dealing with a difficult person and even problem solving.
16 Comments
Tony Lucas
April 6, 2010I like this idea to actually soften the mind and not over complicate.
Cheers Lukey
Cameron
April 6, 2010@Lukey: I had you in mind when I wrote this. Glad you liked it 🙂 It’s also a very important golf lesson to master.
Ray Crick
April 6, 2010Hello Tribers,
I like this post, I can definetly take something out of these words.
Had a hit over the Easter weekend with a friend and had a few bad blow up holes where my nasty pull hook reared its head and also caused me some mental anguish!!! It’s in this situation when my mind strays from the routine and I start to struggle with my game. My playing partner was being positive and giving me a few of his tips to try and help. I know I need to just gather some composure and just stick to the routine and try and keep pesky at bay! Would appreciate any of your thoughts?
Cheers
Ray C
Cameron
April 7, 2010@ Ray: Pesky is not going to leave you alone. He will always be ready to give you a million reasons why you hit a hook and what you should do. Unfortunately this advice makes him feel better but rarely has it helped you improve your game. The odd hook will creep into your game – the less you can worry about it the easier and more quickly you will fix it.
Tony Lucas (Lukey)
April 6, 2010Ray
I started off Saturday and went double bogie on the first three holes and normally I would have been shot but I dug in and stayed auto and managed to end up 81-18=63 (par is 64).So all I say to you is even when you think things are going bad do the opposite to what you would normal and say bugger it I’m staying auto.
Cheers Lukey
Gregor
April 6, 2010I know what you mean by this, Cameron. In my last 2 rounds I have actually noticed instances of where I know I over thought the situation and ended up with a bad shot.
Round 1 – smacked a drive down 18 and thought about making birdie. Starting trying too hard and thinking about all the things I needed to do to get close. I spent much longer thinking about the shot than my normal. Result, ended up duffing it and making bogey. I was annoyed because straight away I knew what I had done.
Round 2 – on the 16th I made the mistake of thinking that a par finish would result in breaking 80. Bogeyed 16 and 17. Typical. Ended up on 18 in exactly the same situation as the pevious week. Monster drive, only 100 yards to go. Just picked a club, walked up and hit it. Followed my routine of course. Ended up 15 feet from the hole. Great result.Missed the putt though, probably becuase my playing partners kept talking about how I was going to make birdie.
It felt better to have no thoughts about what I was doing than having a lot of thought. It was almost as if I knew already what to do, I didn’t need to second guess myself or start exaggerating things my mind had already taken care of. As you say, not so much a tip as a part of the routine and something to be wary of on the course.
Cameron
April 7, 2010@ Gregor: You really are making progress here. You’re waking up and learning all of the time. The thing is this.
You will always be fighting with these thoughts – you can’t stop them. But by being aware of them, ignoring them and having a process you should be able to stop the garbage. And yeah! Golf does become more enjoyable and the results take care of themselves.
Keep up the good work and thanks for letting us know your progress.
Bernie
April 6, 2010Hi all
I have just returned from injury and have played three 18 hoe rounds to date. I know I am trying much tooooooooooo hard. However, it is so hard to relax and let it happen. I am mixing some amazinfg shots from both perspectives. However, (that word again), I not not letting myself get toooooooo frustrated. Just trying to continue with Cam’s AUTO process. I know it will happen and in the past I would be off for a lesson with one of the Pro’s. However, not this time. I know I have the swing and ability, I just need that little devil “Pesky” to leave me alone. Congrats to all with their success as per the recent posts.
Bernie
Cameron
April 7, 2010@Bernie: This is the time to keep trucking. The normal thing is to try too hard (this is how we are trained through school and work etc) but you need to resist. Let your swing flow and your mind be calm and you’ll do just fine. Thanks for posting.
David Pryde
April 6, 2010Ray C,
That nasty hook is certainly ‘pesky’.
How about trying Cam’s suggestion of throwing the club at the ball/distant fairway – you might be pleasantly surprised.
Pesky tried to get me the other day during a good round which I wanted to finish well. He was on my right shoulder on the 17th tee and I told him to just *#% off and redoubled my auto – parred the last 2 holes!
Hope that hook disappears with Cam’s methods.
Cheers,
DP
Cameron
April 7, 2010@DP: This is amazing! DP not thinking too much about his swing on the golf course. Who would have thought that was possible?
Grayden Provis
April 9, 2010Ray: I can really relate to what you’re talking about – only in my case its a fade that becomes a slice when I “try harder”. At least I now recognize the signs and know I have to back off and yes, “soften my mind” ( I like it!) So, don’t worry mate. You’re not alone in this. It can be very frustrating I know but the answer really is to just back off, swing easy and trust your routine. It DOES fix it.
PS Something else I learned in Albany over the last 3 days: its very easy to fall into the trap of feeling sorry for youself. It sort of feels good to indulge yourself this way but it really is a luxury I couldn’t afford. It has no positive outcome – in fact it only stalls the “healing” process – and the next thing you know the round / tournament is over and no-one cared anyway!
Tony Lucas
April 9, 2010Very well said Grayden
Steady
April 11, 2010Well said Grayden,
tear up the tickets to the pity party.
Cheers
Steady
wayne
August 22, 2010Hi Cam,
After trying free wheeling and learning to get out of my own way,i am very plesed with my golf game over the last few weeks.Whenever i have a swing thought over the ball i back off and start my pre-shot routine over again,so far this is working very well.
When i lose my way i find it easier to get back on track.Thankyou ,Wayne.
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