Last week I mentioned that memory, visualization and focus are the critical requirements to be a GOOD golfer. Without these 3 abilities you will never be a consistent golfer. Learning the feeling of a perfectly hit golf shot is critical for your future success in golf. Yes, golf is all about FEELING. When you learn that wonderful feeling of an effortless swing where your ball seems to be propelled by an external force, then you will know that you are on the right track.
Without consistency you will always have blow-up holes where you blade or shank or top a ball.
Practicing for consistency using a golf training aid like GOLFSTR+ is a good starting point. Using this product will allow you to see the benefit of the correct swing motion. Unfortunately for many, you will never achieve consistency without learning to FOCUS during your swing.
Last week I played at Dubai Creek Golf Club. Distractions like sand and water on the right and lake on the left REALLY MAKE IT HARD TO FOCUS ON THE PERFECT SWING.
Your subconscious mind will take control of your swing when you achieve that consistent swing FEELING, but you still need to focus on tempo, completion of the backswing and acceleration through the ball to a balance finish. If your conscious mind is distracted by external noise or 100 swing thoughts during the few seconds of your swing, then you are doomed to failure.
Now the Big Solutions: The Trick to Keep Your FOCUS for Consistency
Your mind can’t ‘say’ 2 different thoughts at the same time. It’s that simple. You only have the ability to think about a sequence of thoughts: one word after another. If you don’t believe me, try to say 2 words in your mind at the same time. You just can’t do it. If you find your mind wandering or thinking about the fear of past mishits, you need to use this technique for total focus during your swing.
I developed a set of words which remind me to focus on a STRAIGHT ARM, to SWEEP my club IN keeping my elbow near my side during the backswing, to swing from the INside and finish UP to a balanced finish. I mentally say the words “Straight Arms . . . . Sweep in and up”
Teeing off from a concrete slab over water with Burg Khalifa, the tallest building in the world over my shoulder also makes it difficult to focus.
I use this Swing Mantra to helps my subconscious mind FOCUS on critical components of my swing:
1/ Waggle with both ” STRAIGHT ARMS” for a one piece takeaway like Rickie Fowler to loosen my spine.
2/ “SWEEP IN” to slow down my takeaway and ensure that I cock my wrist at the top of my backswing
3/ Say “AND” to initiate my downswing by pressing my left foot and hip as I swing from the inside.
4/ And then impact the ball with the word “UP” to complete the swing with a balanced finish.
Practicing with GOLFSTR+ as you use this Swing Mantra or develop your own phrase to help you focus on your swing issues. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com For a $5 Xmas discount use the Coupon Code: Xmas2015.
I’ll give it a try. Thanks!