As a very experienced golfer, I have played/worked/lamented/fretted over the development of my golf game. I have approached my improvement through trial and error (not recommended), education (recommended) and repeated practice (recommended). After all my efforts, I sometimes play myself into a zone where I am on autopilot and accept the routine of not thinking about my golf game. I step up to my ball and quickly make a shot with excellent, great, average, mediocre and terrible results. It is here when I take all the technique and concepts for granted. Not an ideal way to play golf I am thinking!
The benefit of my year’s of practice is that I have a strong-ish skill foundation where I make more good shots than not. The challenge with this approach is that my mental game fails when I things are going well. This seems a little strange, but I have a tendency to switch to autopilot when I am playing well. Thus it causes me to take my skills (basic golf concepts) for granted.
Interestingly, when I am just cruising along with no real intent, my mind snaps back into ‘game’ mode when faced with a more challenging shot. I seem to suddenly take interest in my golf game and immediately revert into a focused, competitive golfer. I start to think and the switch from autopilot changes for the rest of the round or longer. Instead of taking my basic golf skills for granted, I try to maximize my skills and shoot as low as possible.
Playing plenty of golf can lead to needlessly taking my basic golf skills for granted. I know I am not suppose to do this, but it happens. Sometimes I enjoy walking the links to soak in the beautiful surroundings. Playing good golf is just a bonus.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Jim, it depends on what you are thinking about. I want to be on autopilot with mechanics. No swing thoughts is best. . .well maybe one small key. I do want to think about shot shape and placement. I do want to envision mental pictures of my putts on the greens, and I want to picture short game shots in my mind’s eye before executing. Those usually indicate a good round is happening.
Thanks,
Brian
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Brian,
I am on the same page when I am thinking. Unfortunately, the autopilot I am talking about is going through the motions with out any course management thinking going on. It happens from time to time and I accept this since I play a good deal of golf. It is all about the fun for sure.
Cheers Jim
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Agreed.
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Do you find you play better when on Autopilot? I feel the more I try the worse it gets. When I head out there just for fun and to expirement I feel more free and have less anxiety.
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Gregor
When I am in autopilot I am not mentally engaged. When I am mentally engaged and playing well, I do not think much. I let the round drive my game and eventually the score.
Cheers Jim
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The more I try to relax the worse it gets lately.
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Gregor,
It might be that you are thinking about your game too much. Thinking is okay, but avoiding the ‘white noise’ of golf is a great approach to shooting great golf. https://thegratefulgolfer.com/2014/01/03/white-noise/
Cheers Jim
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I think as long as our routine is up to it, autopilot is a good place to be. There’s no pressure there. No fear. It’s when our routine doesn’t include something we need that being on autopilot fails. If our routine say only covers stepping into the ball, then we might not be analyzing options. We might not be taking practice swings with intent. And we might not really be committed to the shot. Being on autopilot then is going to haunt us eventually. But if your routine is comprehensive. If you take every shot with the same care. Autopilot is going to be a place you want to be.
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Kevin,
To play well on autopilot, I have to be mentally engaged. When this happens, magical things will ensue.
Cheers Jim
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