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Golf My Way, by Jack Nicklaus, is one of my favorite golf books to read. In this book, Mr. Nicklaus states that 90% of all mis-hits in golf occur long before the golf club ever moves. What exactly is Mr. Nicklaus saying by making this statement? It is very easy to blame the poor outcome of a golf shot on the golf swing, but it is often overlooked that poor scores should be blamed on poor thinking. Again this month, I want to address the mind and what we are supposed to be thinking about before we pull the trigger on the golf swing.
The ritual in golf is a different element verses the routine (next month's topic). The routine involves your physical setup and establishing the fundamentals of golf. The ritual is your assessment and involves the commitment to yardage, club selection, shot selection, and trusting the shot. Positive self talk is also a part of this stage, and it should not be taken lightly. There is a good chance the caddies we observe for our favorite tour players are probably not telling their tour player:
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1. "You have no chance of pulling off this golf shot."
2. "Your golf swing is awful."(Being Polite)
3. "Don't hit it into the hazard."
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If a caddy chose to make the above comments, then in all likelihood they would need to find another career or a good hospital after the round. If you would not let a caddy talk to you this way, then I suggest that you never talk this way to yourself either. In the ritual, which takes place prior to the routine, the following is a list of things you must think about:
1. From putt to drive, always tell yourself the DISTANCE you need the ball to travel. Wind, climate, and undulation that will influence the number you choose for distance must be taken into account.
2. At this point, it is time to CHOOSE A CLUB. This goes back to last month's newsletter (February 2009) on playing to your strengths and hitting the shot in which you feel most confident..
3. Based on your specific ball flight, desirable or undesirable, you must VISUALLY rehearse how and where you want the ball to fly. The brain is like a computer, garbage in creates garbage out. Likewise, precision in produces precision out. Mentally rehearse the trajectory, curvature, landing area, and where you want the ball to end up before you swing the club.
4. And now the most important part, TRUST-COMMITMENT-CONFIDENCE. Never walk into the golf ball to execute a golf shot with any doubt as to the above three line items. You must commit to a yardage, a club, and a ball flight from tee to green. Self talk is vital in this step. Pump yourself up with sayings such as:
"I got this shot."
"I know this is the right club."
"My swing feels great."
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Remember from the January 2009 newsletter, words trigger pictures and pictures trigger action. The time to rush in golf is between shots, I would suggest getting to your ball a little faster and than take your time going through your ritual. A good ritual precedes a good golf shot. Have fun with this area in golf, it's all mental!
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Word of the month: Persistence
Golf Affirmation of the week: My mind is on where I am going and not where I've been..
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Ted Frick
2005 Carolinas PGA Section Teacher of the Year
Owner / Director of Instruction
Classic Swing Golf School (Located at Legends Resort)
P.O. Box 50955
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-5560
1-800-827-2656
tfrick@classicswing.com
www.classicswing.com
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