I know this is a revolutionary concept...

but is there anyone out there besides me who just picks out a target, gets himself lined up, checks the target again, and then hits the damn ball?

I've been following the "starting the downswing thread" and other "swing" threads, and can't fathom how you can hit a ball well with all that in your head. When practicing maybe, but playing?

I have not a single swing thought other than "target." The only exceptions would be if I had to avoid branches/hit it low, hit over something, or had to work it left/right.

Save for obstructions between me and my target, I just take dead aim and swing.

__________________
Mike Ryan
Rhinebeck, NY

TaylorMade R5 N, 8.5*
TaylorMade V-Steel, Aldila NV 65 Stiff, 13*
TaylorMade Rescue Mid, 25*
Mizuno MP-32, 4-PW
Cleveland Tour Action 588 Wedge, 52*, 56* & 60*
Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2
Nike Tour Accuracy TW

"You can talk to a fade, but a hook won't listen."
- Lee Trevino

Well put mr3856. I have played my best golf when only thinking about taking dead aim at my target. I don't worry about the next shot and I don't pass judgment on the last shot. I simply am "here and now" sending the ball to the target. What an enjoyable way to play golf.

mully

Not here, I can stike the ball pretty well. and I focus on a swing concept. Like I may feel myself starting my takeaway using my left shoulder. Or I may just feel myself turning without swaying. I have one thing in my focus. I always change this so I stay on top of everything.

Well put Mr.

You are of course correct we all play our best golf when there are less thoughts...........I maybe have one thought a rhythmic practice swing and thats all.

However when you start this game you need to learn how to swing on plane, hold the club properly and even how to aim your body correctly................all this and much more takes time, I think it takes about two years to perfect a swing from scratch.

If you learn all of the above then your bad shots become less wayward, and no matter how hard you work you will always hit bad shots.............learn to live with them.

In time you will need to revisit a flaw in your swing because they keep creeping back in.........


But on the course no matter what you work on you should play golf like you say thats why I agree 100% with you.

Great thread


Ian.

__________________
Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

I agree with Ian.

Imagine a Formula One on the race.

The car is your swing and the driver is your brain.

Once on the track, the driver has to do his best driving with that car without thinking of changing it on every bend.
The driver has to be in very good shape but don't forget that the car has to be very well ''tuned up'' if you want to win the race.

Toni.

When on the course, it's definitely "play what you brought" for that day. But I am striving to come up with a swing that is easily repeatable, and more importantly: that has a few core fundamentals that I can remember and come back to should a round go wayward. But if I'm hitting everything left for that round, I don't try to correct for the closed club face and OTT swing. I just aim right .

What do you do when you find yourself topping, or pushing, or chunking, on a given day?

I think what Ian and others have said is correct: When you get to the point where you have a sound golf swing, you stop thinking about it. But if you're not there, just hitting the damn ball may not work. Some of us have persistent faults in our swing...or persistent tendencies to do particular things wrong. As long as those tendencies are there, we have to make a conscious effort to counter them. I guess it's the same in any sport or trained physical activity.

__________________
Todd
Philadelphia, PA
USA

The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing. ~Phyllis Diller

Imagine trying to teach yourself any sport. For a while, your movements will be mechanical, and you'll develop a ton of check points, and you'll second guess yourself.

I coach basketball - and like golf, there is a 'picture perfect' or 'textbook' shot. I see all sorts of variations on this shot, each one tailored to the particular player. Now, when something is glaringly obvious (like using 2 hands to shoot, or having your hips turned a ton, or having the ball behind your head), it's time to have a coach step in and correct it. And while the player is correcting it, there's checkpoints, and things are mechanical. But once the 'problem' is solved, it's not thought of anymore. I guess I'm saying it's a process. And I've seen 'self taught' basketballers - and like golfers, some are good, and most are horrible.

So if you're still learning the proper motions, take your time and use your checkpoints. But once you've got a swing (or shot, or stroke), trust it, and use it.

__________________
True Length Technology Fitter - www.truelengthtechnology.com
It's live! - www.ShipShapeClubs.com
PCS Class 'A' Clubfitter

A new highlight: Golfing the home course on Christmas Day.

I say it too often: If it's golf club shaped, you can play with it.

For the record, I'm a club doctor, not a swing doctor.

About two weeks ago, I played in thick fog with another player. I played the best golf i've played in ages shooting 79. The visible distance was only 40yds, but I concentrated on the few feet around me. I picked my position inches in front of the ball to align the club head and concentrated on nothing but tempo and rhythm. I birdied the 1st, par'd most of the others and never lost a ball. This taught me a valuable lesson not to pay to much attention to the course in front, and concentrate on the 'tee'. It's weird hitting every ball which disappears almost immediately. Walking up to greens and seeing your ball a few feet from the pin although having no idea initially where you hit it. Luck may come into it, but not 18 holes in a row. Food for thought eh!

Cheers.
Lee.

To add to this I think its a given that some people are very analytical generally and apply that to their golf game. I know thats me. If I hit bad shots on the course or on the range or get into a shot pattern I want to know why so I can work on straightening myself out

Clearly on the range or at home without a ball is where I do most of my work so I like reading posts here or posing questions and having things to work on. Nothing worse for me than aimless practice, just pounding balls without effort to improve

That then gives me a few key swing thoughts to take to the course but as you say I certainly focus on never having more than one or two thoughts as I play a round

To be honest, nothing, really. I hit a fat shot now and again, and believe me, I can get going in a bad way as much as the next guy. But if I hit a wayward shot or a big chunk or top one, I've already fogotten about it by the next time I stand over the ball.

Earlier this year I was playing so bad I stopped - literally. Sunny weekend days, I would not go play golf, it was that bad. Then I read about Harvey Pennick's "Magic Move," and it groved my swing almost instantly. Now my swing just "happens" - it's completely on autopilot. It's kind of scary, actually.

I'm just pissed it's getting to be winter, though it's supposed to be in the 70's this weekend (here in NY).

__________________
Mike Ryan
Rhinebeck, NY

TaylorMade R5 N, 8.5*
TaylorMade V-Steel, Aldila NV 65 Stiff, 13*
TaylorMade Rescue Mid, 25*
Mizuno MP-32, 4-PW
Cleveland Tour Action 588 Wedge, 52*, 56* & 60*
Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2
Nike Tour Accuracy TW

"You can talk to a fade, but a hook won't listen."
- Lee Trevino