Just GO.

First things first, I'm not an expert at the mind or anything and I'm pretty sure I haven't been playing this game as long as the majority. But I am playing with great confidence, even if the shanks showed up for a little bit on my round yesterday. With the help of Dr. Kilstein's product called "The Golfer's Mind", I'm just playing on autopilot.

I think some of you guys that are having trouble should just DO...not TRY. Don't TRY to become a better golfer, just DO it. Don't approach a shot thinking, "oh I hope I can pull this off" - just do it. Say something to yourself..Dr. Kilstein suggest telling yourself a joke or singing a song. What's been working for me lately, is taking deep breaths, and in my head saying one word : "Sepakbola", this a word that means nothing to anyone else, but means "soccer" (i used to play) in Indonesian. Basically, something like that.

Now as you approach the ball, target already set, say your word-joke-song, and ONLY look at the ball TWICE. Make sure to keep moving, take deep breaths until there is no more tension. Once, to address it - Second time, to hit it. What's in between this? Easy. Look at the target, envision your intendend ball path - tell yourself "I guarantee this ball will go straight and will roll/spin within 10 feet of the pin". Keep moving, breathing deeply, then glance at the ball and just GO, don't stare, GO. Go doesn't mean take 5 seconds to start your backswing, GO means swing smoothly back and smoothly through.

This has indulged my confidence, it shows confidence on the course to the other players and yourself. The only thing going through my head is "sepakbola" - it isn't..."oh ****, my backswing feels too fast - how am I going to re-route this". Nope...just GO. The tempo may seem fast, but if you think about it - you have a chance to think on a 5 second backswing - there is no thinking on a 1sec one, hence less problems will occur - because you'll just be letting go.

Again, I'm not an expert. I'm just feeling really great about this supposedly complicated game and thought I'd share how simple the mental game can change your overall performance. Of course bad shots will show up, they have for me, but I just let them roll off my back and think about the next shot. I welcome the mental challenge that bad shots cause, but it's really coming to the point where it's not a challenge anymore - just another oppurtunity to train my golfing mind.

Try it out and let me know what you guys think. Take care.

__________________
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- Ben Hogan CFT Ti 3i Hybrid, Steel (Used)
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- 54 deg Cleveland CG10 Wedge
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I agree with you Matt

A few weeks ago, there was a thread about a new teaching technique called Tour Tempo on GTO, which I was very interested in. So much so I went out and bought the book and CD.

I've tried it out and the best thing about it is I've gotten rid of all my previous swing thoughts purely because now there's no time to think! All I do is set up as I usually do - and work on automatic. I'm no expert either, but I seem to be hitting the ball more solid consistently. I still have the odd bad shot, but I think if I stick with this approach, I'll be a more consistent player.

Cheers

__________________
"hmmmmm......Open faced club sand wedge"; Homer J. Simpson

I bought the same book and CDs from Amazon.com - couldn't be happier with the results although now I'm starting to feel like I'm swinging a bit faster than I should, thus not showing my true energy potential. What swing tempo are you set to? I'm currently at 21/7 and my shots go straight, but I feel like I should be hitting my irons a bit farther, especially my 5-iron which is only going about 170 rather than the 180 I wanted.

By the way, I've been doing my preshot routine with everyhing, worked great - however it didn't work as well with my putting (as in looking at the ball twice) - so I'll have to mix some things up and rethink.

take care.

__________________
IN THE BAG:
- 10.5 deg GX Squared TI w/UST Proforce 65 SFlex (GigaGolf.com)
- Ben Hogan CFT Ti 3i Hybrid, Steel (Used)
- Nike Pro Combo 3-PW/TT DGSL S300 (From LowPost42 on GTO - Thanks man)
- 56 deg SGS "Score Grind Scale" Wedge (GigaGolf.com)
- 54 deg Cleveland CG10 Wedge
- White Polymer Putter Model 692 - Stainless Steel
- TaylorMade TP Red Golf Ball or Titleist DT Solo (Quite the difference I know)

MY GOLF BLOG

Hi Matt

I'm comfortable using the 24/8 tempo at the moment, and after a little more practice, will try for the 21/7. As for hitting it straight.....straight is good! I'm not hitting it much further than before, but I'm sure it will increase once I get more used to the tempo technique.

I haven't changed my pre-shot routine, but I've been trying out the tempo with my short game shots and putting too, and it works well for me......less things to think about again, just commit to the shot.

I didn't expect a quick fix right away, and will keep practicing this technique.

Good luck!

__________________
"hmmmmm......Open faced club sand wedge"; Homer J. Simpson

Hi mates,

could one of you please explain to me this 21/7 or 24/8 what does it mean?

Cheers, Ian

Hi Ian

There was a thread a few weeks back about 'Tour Tempo' here:

http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/g...our-tempo.html (Tour tempo)

basically, the theory is that most amateurs swing too slowly and inconsistently to have a repeatable and powerful swing like the Pros.

The book goes into how the author noticed that most Pros swing to a set ratio of 3:1 (the magic formula!). He then devised a method of teaching based on a series of 3 audible beats.

1st beat - start of backswing - take back
2nd beat - at the top of the backswing
3rd beat - point of impact

Have a look at the thread, it's really interesting and explained in detail. As I said, I bought the book recently and am having quite good results with it - although I'm not saying it's the answer to all our prayers yet.....

Pan

__________________
"hmmmmm......Open faced club sand wedge"; Homer J. Simpson

Thanks Panman,
quite interesting.
Cheers, Ian

Hi,

I absolutely agree that you should not have a lot of swing thoughts while on the course. You should have good repeatable swing mechanics and these should be grooved into your muscle memory through repeated good quality practice on the range, note I said "good quality practice" only good practice makes perfect, poor practice makes you worse.

I would also agree that anything that relaxes your muscles and grip is worthwhile, relaxed muscles are more effective than tense ones.

Finally: It is important to think while playing golf but this should be directed to course management (Effects of wind, picking your target, using the right club, fades and draws, chip or pitch etc).

Regards
Brian