Evan has been helping out with some of the golf videos I’ve been shooting. As a payback he has been getting some assistance with his game.
He is a good golfer but I think he is letting himself down. Here’s why.
He is trying too hard. He his scared of making mistakes and is trying to be the perfect golfer.
This is counter intuitive I know – but he needs to stop caring and trying so much. The stupid game of golf is a paradox. When you can swing without care and fear, your game game goes up a level or two. When you can swing this way for a length of time you realise your potential.
Heading back from the course tonight I was listening to a golf DVD (I was stuck in traffic and bored). The coach was insisting that golfers need to get precise and aim for perfection. I disagree with this fully.
Evan played three poor shots in the first three holes. He was grinding and trying as hard as he could (probably in an effort to beat me 
)After each bad shot he threw another ball down in disgust. The next attempt was successful. Same guy, same swing but a different mindset.
The other attempts were hit without care or thought. He wasn’t even trying that hard. When I highlighted this he recommitted to following the automatic process for the next few weeks. This means;
- He can’t start complaining about his swing
- He isn’t allowed to tell stories about the odd bad shot or two
- And he definitely can’t start analysing and go searching for a different swing
- Perfection is out – free, flowing and natural golf is in
The perfect golfer mindset is common. But for most it needs to be replaced with an easy going and care free spirit.
Not easy to do but could be the only thing standing between you and playing near perfect golf.
I received the below email from Ben over the weekend. I like it and highlights my thoughts on automatic learning for golf.
Too many minds:
A while back when on a plane I was watching a Tom Cruise movie called ‘The Last Samurai’, (and yes I know what you’re thinking but the truth is there wasn’t much else on).
It’s about an American soldier in the 1800’s who ends up in Japan and is captured by the Samurai. Over time of course he becomes one of them.
In the particular scene I want to discuss, our hero, Tom, is trying to learn to sword fight as a Samurai and is consistently getting bashed and beaten by the main Samurai warrior. During this you can see in his eyes the thought process taking place, how he’s analyzing the situation and evaluating his next move – all to no avail – he still keeps getting whacked.
Then another Samurai, a young one, says to him ‘too many minds’. Tom thinks about this and from that point on you can see the thoughts and clutter begin leave his mind. He stops analyzing and plotting, stops thinking about all the detail, past and future moves and simply starts doing. Of course this works and he succeeds in winning a bout. All because he let his intuitive side work and, figuratively, stopped getting in his own way.
Being creative is like that.
Too often we get so caught up in the thinking part that we get in the way of the creative flow. We tend to over analyze, over evaluate and over compensate, we try too hard when what we really need to do is purge our ‘too many minds’ and simply trust the creative process to do it’s thing.
Whether you’re participating in martial arts or golf it’s vitally important to learn to get out of your own way and trust your subconscious to do what it does best. Perform!
Most of us golfers will try anything if we think it’s going to help us improve our game. Here’s a list of the most common;
- looking for any quick fix
- changing of golf clubs
- constant fiddling with golf swing
I think this constant search for improvement is admirable but highly flawed. Here’s why;
You’re looking for success before commitment
You’ll try something once but if it doesn’t work you’ll move on, looking for the next gimmick or magic cure for your game.
Automatic golf requires a different level of commitment. You’ve got to get committed before any success and be prepared to hang in there when the chips are down.
On Sunday I bogeyed five of the first six holes. It was the worst start to a round that I’ve had in a long time. The temptation was to analyse and change my approach. I did neither.
I dug my heels in and kept swinging without fear or thought. Yes, it’s scary and hard to do. It feels uncomfortable and in many ways seems like the worse thing to do. Convention would say slow down, take your time, work out what you’re doing wrong and try and fix it.
I argue that if you want to play your best golf that you’ve got to break the rules and follow your own path. That, if you follow the status quo you’ll play average and never experience what I call remarkable golf.
My round improved. The swing started to flow and the ball found the target. I recovered from the bad start to record a decent score. Not my best score, but it was certainly a fair improvement, I played to my handicap and had one of the better scores from the group.
The key for this comeback is level of commitment. If you’re looking for success before commitment you’ll get nothing.
If playing your best golf is important to you then you have to learn to hang in there. Stop looking for quick fixes and instant cures. Real success won’t happen overnight – it comes from playing with trust and commitment for a long period of time.
Fear of failure is a waste. It’s a waste of energy and a waste of time. Why? Because the absolute worst thing that can happen to you on the golf course is a bad score. Not good but not that bad either.
If you play badly you’re not going to be sacked by your golf club and your dog will still love you. Golfers aren’t afraid of bad scores, they’re more worried about what others will think and possibly getting some negative feedback.
Here’s the kicker. Read More
An old golfing mate asked me over the weekend what my #1 secret was for playing better golf. He wanted to know what one thing (shortcut) has allowed me to improve my golf the most.
Don’t know what he thought of my response, but I think he was expecting something different (here’s my recollection of what I said).
“I’ve learned to tee up the ball and make a carefree swing from the first tee. I’m not concerned about the rough, my swing or playing partners. I then repeat this swing (or putt, chip, recovery) each and every time I play a shot. I don’t change my approach because I’m nervous or when the pressure builds. I keep doing the same thing over and over again – no matter what the situation”.
This is definitely not a shortcut. It has taken me years of persistence to really understand and experience the magic of playing better. It’s not possible to buy that experience. It comes from commitment and dedication over an extended period of time
In an age when most are keen to look for the miracle cure (quick fix) my approach is unlikely to appeal to the masses. The lure of a shortcut is too great.
If there really was a shortcut, golfers much smarter than you and me would have found it. I’ve had my ear to the ground for sometime now, but haven’t heard of any shortcut worth commenting on.
Sorry, but shortcuts don’t exist.
Most of us don’t get a chance to play as much golf as we’d like. Work, family and other interests keep us away from the golf course and the practice fairway. If you want to play your best golf then you have to learn how to turn up and play after a break or some time away from the game.
A key element for golfing success is a change of attitude. You have to believe that you can play great golf without having to spend large amounts of time working on your game. If you think you need to practice and play regularly to keep you game in top shape, I think you’ll always be disappointed.
Simply, us amateurs don’t have enough time in the day. While golf professionals can hone every part of their game, we have to put up with what we’ve got – and get out there and play and try and be happy.
The good news is that once your game is automated you don’t lose skill or your golf swing. It’s there waiting for you each time you need it. Below are some key points to ensure you play your best golf, even if you’re feeling a bit rusty. Read More
Are you a player? I’d like to think that I’m now a player.
My online golfing buddy is definitely a player.
Most golfers turn up, try hard but in my opinion don’t play golf. You’re not playing golf if you;
- Continually change your golf swing
- Believe your technique is the most important element of your game
- Are always looking for what’s wrong with your game
- Walk off the course exhausted
- Get overcome by self doubt (you can add fear and anxiety too)
- Change your style when the pressure is on
- Feel that you’re not living up to your potential
- Tell stories (make up excuses)
Playing golf is fun, rewarding and worthwhile – anything else and you’re missing out on the real enjoyment and success that’s on offer.
Not long ago I had this crazy idea. Some might think it was ridiculous, but it certainly changed my golf forever. Here’s what I did…
I gave up. I stopped trying to fix my swing and obsess about every part of my game. My obsession with angles and form was replaced with fun and hitting that stupid white ball. For the first time in years I started to actually play golf.
It wasn’t easy. I doubted myself and sometimes it was scary. I worried that I was ‘going against the grain’ but I persisted. Then, when I least expected it, something remarkable happened.
I started playing better. My confidence grew and I enjoyed golf more. It hasn’t always been roses (and here) but its been way better than what it was before.
What’s the motto here?
That sometimes you have to do the ridiculous, break free and get uncomfortable. That, despite what others say, it might be the right thing to do.
I urge you to find your ridiculous. Open your mind and start playing golf the way you really want to. After all, what’s the worst thing that could happen?
