Comments on: A very important “automatic” golf lesson

By: An important golf lesson that virtually no golf coach is teaching you

An important golf lesson that virtually no golf coach is teaching you — Wed, 05 May 2010 22:59:44 +0000

[...] http://www.cameronstrachan.com/members-only/a-very-important-automatic-golf-lesson/ [...]

By: Simon Hutcheson

Simon Hutcheson — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:51:18 +0000

The longer walk, focusing on the ball on the approach and allowing plenty of time to get the set up right certainly makes a difference.

By: Cameron

Cameron — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:47:20 +0000

@Simon: Thinking about what you’re doing defeats the point. It can be human nature to want to think – but this is exactly what you have to guard against. Learning to trust your subconscious is what will allow you to be the best golfer you can be. The big problem here is listening to those thoughts – yes they will come and go – but only if you ignore them.

@Zingers: The counting has to suit you. I have found that time and time again that better results are achieved when you don’t allow any gaps. It doesn’t have to be flat out and I also don’t think that it is likely to make you swing too quickly. Your automatic will take care of the speed – the hard part is allowing it to join the party.

@DP: Yep, you could talk at the same time as swinging the club – people would probably laugh at you but it would work well. Moe Norman talked throughout his stroke as did Lee Trevino.

Also, when your automatic game becomes habit (automatic) you become a master golfer. Golfers have trouble with automatic golf because they struggle to let go sufficiently – they try too hard to hang on to control.

@Gregor: This is a classic sign that you’re trying too hard. This needs to be a relaxed and easy process. I’m positive that you’re analysing too much and not letting go. Maybe play a round or two with a really carefree attitude. See how you go.

By: Gregor McCulloch

Gregor McCulloch — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:16:48 +0000

Tried out the routine yesterday after watching the vidoes. Mixed results to say the least . I was constantly reminding myself to stick with the routine and not to analyse. In the past this has made me get gradually better as the round went on, but yesterday the bad shots just kept coming right up to the 18th. The funny thing was I hardly left the fairway all day. It was all duffs, thins and 3 putts that did the damage.
I have watched the videos again to see if I had missed anything. The distance from the ball looks a lot longer than I was doing. John and Cameron were both taking about 8 or 9 steps up the ball compared to my 4 or 5 (which felt far back ). I don’t think I was managing to achieve a count to completion on every shot either which has been a constant problem and is probably making me think about hitting the ball without realising it. Need to keep practicing !!

By: Tony Lucas

Tony Lucas — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 11:20:35 +0000

Hi tribers
Tried out the new concept of HFR today for nine holes complete with the longer walk to the ball and counting quickly and whilst initially things did not quite come off I found toward the end things did start to turn around and it was very enjoyable.I look forward to a couple of more rounds through the week to see how things work
Cheers Lukey

By: John Stead

John Stead — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:34:14 +0000

Hi Tribers,
hopefully this week I’ll get to talk to Strachs about options when practicing. eg with out a ball, different types of shots eg drives, approaches, pitch,putt and playing shots such as fades, draws etc. Taking it to the range, the course then eventually using it while playing in a comp. The auto process is allabout progression. Not taking any short cuts. Ultimately I’m sure Cameron’s aim is to get the tribe to take baby steps before we run.Then and only then play automatically onthe course. Imagine what it would be like start golf at age 10 learning first the auto routine. How easy would life be as a golfer.
Cheers
Steady

By: Grayden Provis

Grayden Provis — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 06:59:28 +0000

“The more you do it the more it will become second nature to you”.

Exactly. Unfortunately there are no short cuts when it comes to ingraining a new habit. Just repetition plus TIME. I remember reading somewhere that typically ANY habit takes around 2 months to ingrain (or break).

By: John Stead

John Stead — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:16:22 +0000

Hi Tibers,
the whole entire concept of auto golf is distracting the conscious mind from your physical activity to allow the subsconcious to perform/act ie counting so your subconcious swings the club. I have played 3 social games of golf since last sunday. What I have found is that counting/singing allows you to play at your optimum without the distraction of technical thought. Results 9 holes 1 over, 9 holes 3 over and 18 holes 6 over.If at anytime you get distracted during your routine stop at once and start again. There have been times when I was at the point of taking the club away and got distracted by pesky or something else. The 4 times I kept going through with the swings was a disaster. A horible stiff contolled swing which put me in the trees. I have also found that my walk to the ball was rushed on these 4 shots. Remember there is a difference between getting set and hatching. Get comfortable with what you are doing( that is counting and your walkto the ball getting set and swinging). It takes time do something new. But just the same stick with it. I suggest you practice without a ball and go through your routine.Keep practicing for 3 days no more than 20 times then add a ball later on. Then take it to the practice range 3 times then play in a comp game. The more you do it the more it will become second nature to you.
Cheers Steady

By: David Pryde

David Pryde — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:32:24 +0000

I believe that the ‘pace’ of counting is not as important as ‘concentrating’ on the counting.
I think concentrating on the counting or singing etc. is the important thing. If you don’t concentrate on the counting you will not be performing truly ‘automatic’ golf and you will allow ‘pesky’ to sneak in!
Simple counting is already an automatic process so beware of counting automatically when golfing.
I suggest trying to hit your shot while talking to a fellow player and see whether you feel more automatic – I will bet you if you talk through your swing that you will not hear ‘pesky’ at all.
What do you think Cam, worth a try on a video out on the practise range?
Cheers,
Prydey

By: Grayden Provis

Grayden Provis — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:46:31 +0000

Zingers said: “I like the way Steady was counting the first time as it seemed to create a nice calm pace which would stop me from rushing. Sorry Cam but at your pace It would all end in a swing at the ball which would simply be a blur. Interested to hear other thoughts on this”

The main thing I want to avoid is counting at a rhythm that fits my swing rhythm or my walk in rhythm – otherwise the counting will put my mind on the physical action I’m performing which is obviously defeating the whole purpose. I find “fast counting, slow actions” keeps the conscious / subconscious minds separated.