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!
Continue readingmental focus in golf
Worrying To Much About The Score
Almost all golfers use their score as a benchmark to how they played on any given round. I am no different and sometimes I get so wrapped up in shooting a low score, this goal gets in the way of playing well. This might sound foolish to some, yet focusing on my score has led me down the wrong path for proper swing thoughts. It is as if I was so concerned about shooting a low score, I neglected to use the processes that lead a great round.
Continue readingHow Do You Face Adversity On The Golf Course?
This is an important question that every golfer will struggle with during almost every round of golf. I am not sure what your game is like, but I am certain that during every round I will hit a shot that will result in less than ideal results. It is the nature of being an amateur and I have learned over the years that how I respond to these trying times will have a direct correlation to my golf score. I have discusses this in the past and concluded that my response to adversity is purely mental. With my golf season just around the corner, I thought it was time to focus on mentally preparing for the ups and downs of each round. To that end, I have to reacquaint my thought process where I can play my best golf when I make a poor shot.
Continue readingComing From Behind for the Win in Golf
It is a challenge to hunt down the leader of a golf tournament. Chances are, they have played well and earned the top spot on the leader board. However, as a fellow competitor, I always devise a strategy to close the gap and hopefully my ball striking will support this plan. Regardless, I never enter into a tournament without devising away to win. Do you?
Continue readingIf You Could Change One Thing….
What would you change in your swing?
If you could change one thing about your golf swing, what would it be? Would you adjust your shoulder turn? Would you increase your hip rotation? Would you delay your wrist release? What would your one change be?
Through the years I have attempted to change every aspect of my swing. It was all a very slow process and I am far from finished. My changes have had mixed reviews, but each adventure increases my knowledge and understanding of golf.
My journey to scratch golf experienced many peaks and valleys, but the process has been very rewarding. I will have to say that some of my success were the result of changing something different as long as I was paying attention.
In earlier posts, I discussed Opening Pandora’s Box, The Domino Effect, and Pareto’s Theory, and everyone one of these posts have a direct effect on the rest of this article.
So back to my original question; If you could change one thing about your golf swing, what would it be? Before I suggest what I would change and what you think you should change, consider the following:
- What are the follow-on effects will occur by making the change?
- What change will have the greatest long-term impact?
- What change will force a change in other areas of your swing?
- Will a quick change improve your golf scores?
- What is the final goal or expectations from the change?
- Are you mentally prepared for a drastic improvement in your golf game?
These and likely many other questions should be addressed before making any change – quick or deliberate. Even simple changes to your golf swing change several secondary aspects of your swing mechanics! So beware of what you ask!
As I have stated before, I like to tinker with all aspects of my game. So, if the magical golf fairy gave me one wish, I would change my the amount of torque generated between my initial hip turn and then movement of my shoulders! My choice is founded on much introspection and I decided that to go to the next level a need to develop more power through all my woods, hybrid and irons!
I believe that this change will affect my club choice, alignment, and course management. I am sure there are others that do not immediately come to mind, but I would be ready! So the secondary effects are just as exciting as the initial change.
The question remains: if you could change one thing about your golf swing, what would it be?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 