Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Routines
We touched on handling the pressures of the first tee last month, and so now let’s look at developing a psychologically sound routine to use on the first tee to ensure our rounds starts out in the right way. So a quick quiz. What’s the difference between these two behaviours?
A well known tour professional uses only golf balls numbered 5 to 8, and another well known tour professional marks his ball with a coin, head side down.
The answer is that the first professional uses ball numbered 5 to 8 to help him identify his ball as they are less common, whereas the second professional marks his ball with a coin tail side up because he believes if he doesn’t he will miss his putt. The difference is that the second routine has behaviours that are based on superstition. Now consistency in our routine is what we are aiming for, but the key is consistency through each behaviour and action having a reason that is not based in superstition.
So let’s start to apply this to the first tee, what are the actions and behaviours that will help us strike that first shot with the highest chance of the desired outcome?
Step one, is to become comfortable in the surroundings, and learning to enjoy them. This relates to what we talked about last month about focusing on your reasons for playing the game, and remember that the motivation to play is not all about the result of the first tee shot.
Step two, is to become boring! Now this doesn’t mean in the conversations you have with your fellow players, it means that your actions are consistent and repeatable before you strike the ball. The key here is to make all your actions accountable, that means they are not rooted in superstition, no three waggles for luck, no lucky rubbing of hands, every part of the process has a purpose that you can rely on to ensure you are as consistent as possible.
Every individual can develop there own routine, but here is a simple routine to get you started, remember this routine is aimed at mentally preparing you for the first tee. The key is to reach the point of ball striking with a clear plan of the shot and how you are going to implement it, no more hitting and hoping, a routine that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
Stand two metres behind the tee markers, and visualise the shot you are aiming to play, and where you want the ball to land. Focus on where the ball will land on a long tee shot, as this is the portion we can control, and not the bounce and role of the ball which we cannot.
Take one or two practice swings which serve two mental purposes, firstly to ensure that your swing is comfortable and to rehearse the shot you want to play, ensuring that the practice swings replicate the shot you are about to play, and are not just random fast swishes of your driver which serve no purpose. Secondly they are a great way to calm yourself by focusing on the process and rhythm of your swing.
Approach the ball, and ensure your alignment of stance, ball position and clubface are in place (this relates more to mechanical processes but must become part of your routine).
Finally when you are comfortable and before you begin your swing I want you to ask yourself if you’ve done everything possible to give yourself the best chance of success. If you can’t answer with a firm yes, walk away and start again (make this your key goal!).
If the answer is yes, then let it become the trigger to start your swing, safe in the knowledge that preparation and consistency will soon have first tee nerves a thing of the past.
Next time, we’ll talk about days when we’re on the 14th hole shooting five under our handicap and our mind wanders to thoughts of your best round ever, only to then shoot double bogeys all the way home!
A well known tour professional uses only golf balls numbered 5 to 8, and another well known tour professional marks his ball with a coin, head side down.
The answer is that the first professional uses ball numbered 5 to 8 to help him identify his ball as they are less common, whereas the second professional marks his ball with a coin tail side up because he believes if he doesn’t he will miss his putt. The difference is that the second routine has behaviours that are based on superstition. Now consistency in our routine is what we are aiming for, but the key is consistency through each behaviour and action having a reason that is not based in superstition.
So let’s start to apply this to the first tee, what are the actions and behaviours that will help us strike that first shot with the highest chance of the desired outcome?
Step one, is to become comfortable in the surroundings, and learning to enjoy them. This relates to what we talked about last month about focusing on your reasons for playing the game, and remember that the motivation to play is not all about the result of the first tee shot.
Step two, is to become boring! Now this doesn’t mean in the conversations you have with your fellow players, it means that your actions are consistent and repeatable before you strike the ball. The key here is to make all your actions accountable, that means they are not rooted in superstition, no three waggles for luck, no lucky rubbing of hands, every part of the process has a purpose that you can rely on to ensure you are as consistent as possible.
Every individual can develop there own routine, but here is a simple routine to get you started, remember this routine is aimed at mentally preparing you for the first tee. The key is to reach the point of ball striking with a clear plan of the shot and how you are going to implement it, no more hitting and hoping, a routine that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
Stand two metres behind the tee markers, and visualise the shot you are aiming to play, and where you want the ball to land. Focus on where the ball will land on a long tee shot, as this is the portion we can control, and not the bounce and role of the ball which we cannot.
Take one or two practice swings which serve two mental purposes, firstly to ensure that your swing is comfortable and to rehearse the shot you want to play, ensuring that the practice swings replicate the shot you are about to play, and are not just random fast swishes of your driver which serve no purpose. Secondly they are a great way to calm yourself by focusing on the process and rhythm of your swing.
Approach the ball, and ensure your alignment of stance, ball position and clubface are in place (this relates more to mechanical processes but must become part of your routine).
Finally when you are comfortable and before you begin your swing I want you to ask yourself if you’ve done everything possible to give yourself the best chance of success. If you can’t answer with a firm yes, walk away and start again (make this your key goal!).
If the answer is yes, then let it become the trigger to start your swing, safe in the knowledge that preparation and consistency will soon have first tee nerves a thing of the past.
Next time, we’ll talk about days when we’re on the 14th hole shooting five under our handicap and our mind wanders to thoughts of your best round ever, only to then shoot double bogeys all the way home!
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