The other day I went out to play my local course.  I work there as a marshall/ranger so my week day golf is free, which is the best kind of golf.  I have a number of friends and other golfers that I usually play with but my schedule is erratic so very often I go out as a single and wait to join or be joined with someone else.  Playing with strangers is an interesting thing.  You never know what you are in for or what to expect.  Are they really good,  if so can you take your game up to a respectable level so as not to embarrass yourself.  Are they really bad, and if so will you look the other way when they make a horrible shot and concentrate on your game so you are not emulating them.  I have had both experiences and I far prefer to play with some one who is really good, and hopefully not embarrass myself.

A few days back, I was introduced to a new Marshall who will be working a weekend shift.  We went to the first tee and began to warm up.  I try to pay attention to what I am thinking and keep the negative out of my head as I go about my round.  I also notice when people talk about their anticipated shot or round and portray it in a negative way.  Things like “I hope I don’t screw this up” or “the last time out was bad” are clues that the person in question is setting themselves up for a similar day.  We teed off and my drive was down the middle, his drove barely made it across the creek and two shots later he was about even with me.  After watching his (now 3) duffed shots I made an obligatory duff as well sending my second shot 10 yards as I hit extremely fat.  Whoops that is not like me is what I thought and proceeded to put my third shot solidly 10 feet from the hole.  Three shots later he joined me on the green and I holed my 10′ putt for par as he took two more strokes for an 8.

I don’t say this to gloat, I have been where he was too often!  Trying to keep up with an obviously better golfer and rushing my shots, not using any routine, hastily smacking at the ball without a thought as to where it was going and cursing under my breath as I flubbed another.  The more important point is the crucial importance of a good setup routine.   I seem to be a slow learner and it took years to develop one but I have found that the wisdom of it is invaluable.  We all make bad shots! That is a given.  What you do after the bad shot is the critical point.

The first and most important point is to make sure that your mind is clear of negativity.  What happened last week or yesterday on this hole is unimportant.  I firmly believe that what you say (in your head to yourself) is what you manifest when you actually do.  Have you ever tried calling your shot, like in pool?  Try it some time you might amaze yourself.  Ok, so pick out a target, say to yourself mentally that you will land in the middle about x distance out and focus your thoughts on the landing area.  Next go through a physical routine.  Make it the same routine every time.  Did I say Every Time! Yes every time.

For me the routine includes stand behind,  pick out the target.  Then stand beside and get my grip exactly correct by holding the club at my left side and reaching over to add my right hand.  When that is correct I know that I am 50% of the way there.  Now I address the ball lean forward on my right foot and place my club head  behind the ball,  adjust my stance (my body) to fit the position of the club as it sits stationary behind the ball so that I keep my distance correctly from the ball.  When my body is aligned correctly to the club, I check my weight to insure that I am in the center of my feet (Not on the toes or heels) and then I am ready to pull the trigger.  Tracy Reed from the Ultimate Golf blog would add that you must look down the fairway during the whole time you are setting up to the ball so that you take your eyes out of the equation and focus on the feel of getting your balance;  I still feel the need to peek at my ball as I set up. (take a moment and watch these two short vids from Tracy Reed) With this completed you have just given yourself about an 80% chance of having a perfect shot, without even having to swing the club.   Of course you still have to make the swing, but if all this is correct and your focus is on your target in the NOW your chances of execution are vastly better that simply taking 2 (OR 4 grrr) practice swings and then smacking the ball.

I have mentioned in previous posts the important influence that two people have had on my new golf swing.  Bobby Eldridge and the Purepoint system for honing, knowing why a shot takes the shape it did and what to correct, short game, and putting.  And Tracy Reed the founder of the Golf  Swing Control System, from whom I have learned the setup and most importantly the mental aspects.  Technique is fine but it only goes so far if you can’t or won’t take the time to attend to and control the mental side.

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