The Anatomy of a Golf Shot
The amount of time between golf shots is about 7 minutes. The player that knows how to handle this time will stay refreshed and focused for an entire round. Here is a breakdown of what to do.
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The amount of time between walking between golf shots is about 5 minutes. The player that knows how to handle this time will stay refreshed and focused for an entire round. Here is a breakdown of what to do:
Problem
Players that do not release anger or anxiety will become exhausted and lose focus within 2 hours. The result of his poor mental control is fatigue, poor decision making, tight swings and missed shots.
Objective
A method is needed which allows players to release tense or angry thoughts so that they can conserve energy throughout the round. This is how people enter the zone and will guarantee better shot making and lower scores.
Method
Your objective during the 5 minute walk to your ball is to conserve energy. Repeat to yourself that your goal is "to conserve energy" and not to be thinking tense or angry thoughts that will eventually fatigue you. This simple mental strategy, which is a form of meditation will leave you refreshed and playing in a more relaxed and efficient way.
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Problem
When players are wining or are overexcited, they are apt to "choke." Choking is when the body and mind become overwhelmed with pressure which will cause the swing to shut off or weaken. This is the reason you see tentative shots down the stretch when the pressure is on.
Objective
Under pressure situations, the objective is to remain aggressive yet relaxed. This is a physical state coaches refer to as "athletic." The "athletic" feel inhibits tension and prevents tentative swings.
Method
To maintain an athletic posture, you need to locate a feeling of power, energy and strength in your abdomen. This will ensure aggressive swings and inhibit the tendency to choke or shut down. Locate this feeling of energy in the mid section you can pull in your gut as you inhale. This move will help you find your aggression in your gut and with it you will inhibit any sense of anxiety or weakness when under pressure.
Problem
Putting is 45 of the game. It demands feel and accuracy. The speed of today's greens requires enormous delicacy under pressure. This can produce tension in the arms and defensive strokes geared more to preventing 3 putts.
Objective
Your objective on the greens is to make putts. It is only this focus that will produce birdies. You must have the intention of making putts rather than trying not to 3 putt.
Method
Unconscious perception influences putting. Make sure you do these things during your pre-shot routine:
Problem
Often players will be unsure about club selection, distance to their target. As a result, they will remain unclear and hesitant throughout the pre-shot routine which then produces tentative shot-making.
Objective
Your objective is to arrive at the end of your shot analysis with a clear picture of what you are about to do and a full commitment to your choice of club. Only when you have a full commitment to your choice can you relax and focus completely on your target.
Method
No matter what choice of club, you must arrive at a point where you make a conscious commitment to it. Say to yourself "I'm committed to the shot 100." This is done to relax your mind and allows you to enter the final phase of the golf shot, the 20 seconds of the pre-shot routine where you get completely focused on your target.
The amount of time that a player takes to actually hit a golf shot is about 20 seconds. The player that knows how to use this time will be more relaxed and therefore more efficient in his swing. Here is a breakdown of what to do:
Problem
Tension or fatigue tend to tighten muscles and speed up your swing. This is apt to occur at the beginning of the round, when you get tired and especially when you are playing exceptionally well.
Objective
When tense, one wants to regain the calm feeling of relaxation and even tempo which produces smoother and more effective swings.
Method
To relax your body and musculature when tense do the following: Think of your inhale of breath in three parts, filling the bottom, middle, the upper part of your lungs. This slows the breathing process and gives you more oxygen. Upon exhalation, get in touch with a feeling of calm or relaxation in your body. This will automatically lower your tension level and give you a smoother and relaxed swing. Maintain this relaxation at address and through the swing.
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