Proper Golf Set Up
April 30, 2008
How important is the golf set up? I have been playing this game on and off and want to know your advice on how to improve. Thank you!! - Havler in Issaquah, WA
Havler, the golf set up is key if you are serious about improving your game and this is the foundation for success. Yet building a solid fundamental skill set in this area is one of the most overlooked aspects of the game. I’ve found myself guilty of this a few times, especially when I’m solely focused on hitting better and farther shots but not paying close attention to the step by step process that will get me there. Again, this is absolutely needed to develop a consistent golf swing.
Anyone who has had any mentionable success at this sport is fully aware of the important building blocks of a great golf set up.
When you address the ball, you have to have a proper posture and foot placement. This allows you to maintain your balance throughout the swing. A good set up allows you to remain in balance when swinging and enables you to hit the ball perfectly in the center of the clubface.
You see, this helps you to create power and develop the control of where the shot lands. Your body alignment along with the ball position put into effect the conditions that will give you this control. The way your body is aligned when you address the ball has a direct relation to the path and angle on which you swing the club.
Consider this, wouldn’t it make perfect sense to be in the best position possible in relation to the ball? If you are not working from this solid foundation, how can you hit a consistent golf swing and transfer your intention of making that perfect drive into the ball? This puts you in the position of control and makes it so much incredibly easier to make an accurate shot without hamstringing yourself before you even begin.
I’ve learned my lesson and when I see myself spacing out and thinking of those high and lofty dreams, I bring myself back to earth and focus on the steps that will get me there. Happy strokes!!
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The Mental Side of Golf
February 24, 2008
You brought up “performance fear” and I have to admit that when I know that someone is watching, it’s just nerve racking and I continually slip up and make really stupid mistakes. But when I’m out there by myself on the course or driving range late at night, everything flows naturally. Would you give me some pointers on the mental side of golf? - Dave in Memphis, TN
Dave, good for you that you’ve recognized you need improvement on the mental aspect of golf and that you really want to get over this block towards playing consistently. The most important thing you can do to have the best possible chance of success is to focus your will and and intention exactly on what you want to make happen. In essence, golf is mental, it’s that simple. Here’s a mind shattering thought. What if the entire scope of what we experience as “reality” was just a mental image of our own creation and that this image is constantly projected before us as the result of each consecutive thought?
Now if we were able to grasp that simple concept we would realize that we have the control to make happen what ever we so choose and bring into the definite experience of what we call “reality” our hopes and dreams. All by simply focusing on bringing these goals in line with our will and intention. Have you noticed that when you have done something new for the first time, you got it perfectly right without even trying? You simply did the task, whatever it was and you were successful at it.
Yet when you tried to repeat it, no matter how many times you did it. It never approached the ease and grace that you performed this task with on the first time. You know why? Because of the simple fact that you were trying and thus you were attached to the end result. The bizarre thing about bringing your goals into this strange term called “reality” is by having the burning will and intention to make these goals happen but at the same time not becoming entangled in the desire for your intended end result. Sounds contradictory doesn’t it?
To put it simply, you directly experience exactly what you focus on because it is what you truly want to make happen. How could it be otherwise? If your complete attention is upon other people watching you and then you follow up with: “I’m probably going to miss this shot and look like a total freaking spaz while doing it.” or “Wow, all these people looking at me, what if I slice, hook or shank this shot and everyone sees??
If you just take a step back, focus on your goal while simply doing it and without regard of the outcome, you will be amazed at the end result because you will have achieved what you intended to do… all without being attached. However, if you focus on screwing up then guess what, more than likely you will miss the shot and fulfill your own fear which then becomes a negative self-fulfilling prophesy. Ever listen to someone say “Oh that good thing will probably never happen to me or I would like for this to work out but I bet it won’t?” Basically these people are talking themselves out of exactly what they want. Horrible isn’t it?
Honestly, it is truly up to you what you focus your will upon. Your mind will give you many times over exactly what you choose to plant inside it. If you plant success and are sincere, then strangely enough success will follow. If you plant fear and negativity, you will get back exactly what you give. Now, the next time you are about to take that shot or make a putt… relax… imagine in your minds eye exactly what you want to happen and say the hell with it and simply do it.
If it doesn’t work out the first time DO NOT give up, keep honing and refining your will and intention. Constantly keep in mind to not be attached to the result and you know what? You just might surprise yourself and truly improve your mental game in golf and playing in general.
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