Idon’t like golf tips or quick fixes one bit. I don’t think they work that well and generally are full of false hope and promises. Although many golf publications rely on golf tips for income – I strongly believe they do more harm than good.
The following is more than a quick tip – I hope you can incorporate it into your game and see an improvement in your game and speed of play.
Don’t take practice swings
There are a few reasons for this;
- You will get tired – some golfers take three or four practice swings before each shot. This can add up to be quite a number by the end of the day.
- You’ll be more likely to think about your technique – I have found that when I take practice swings I start thinking about my golf swing. This is not the end of the world, but over thinking increases the chances of losing the flow and diminishing creativity. Ultimately this leads to nervousness, self-doubt and hesitation.
- You’ll play more slowly – Slow play is a huge problem. With rounds pushing five hours I think more should be done to speed up play. Practice swings aren’t the whole problem but they are a good start. If each player could take 20-30 seconds less per shot then this would make a difference. By not taking a practice swing you’ll easily save this time.
You may think that you require a practice swing to rehearse an upcoming shot. It seems like a good idea but it won’t guarantee anything. Perfect practice swings lead to nothing if you’re not committed and perform the real swing instinctively. Focus your attention on playing automatically, forget about practice swings.
The exceptions
Practice swings can be used to warm up and when you’re feeling tight and stiff. The goal here is to warm up and get your body loose. Leave swing changes for later and don’t focus too hard on your technique. Warm up and then play.
You may also need a practice swing to learn about the environment. For example, you may need to test the rough near your ball to get an idea of what club to choose or to learn how far you can swing with a tree branch impeding your back swing. These are the exceptions to the rule and thankfully shouldn’t happen that often.
Summing up
The same “practice swing free” rules should apply for the putting green – I have had great success by not rehearsing the stroke. Looking and reacting to the target not only allows for a free flowing putting stroke, it saves plenty of time too.
If you do feel the need for a practice swing do it behind the ball – and don’t waste time. Do it quickly. If you’re feeling game play a round or two and compare your scores. I’m sure you’ll see an improvement and I bet you’ll have more energy after five (hopefully four) hours on the course.
Go for it!
How good could you become if you had all of the time in the world to play and practice? Think about it?
Imagine if you didn’t have to work and could devote yourself full-time to lowering your handicap. Wouldn’t this be every golfer’s dream? To play and practice on world class facilities with regular lessons from a local swing Guru. You would have no option but to get better.
Right?
You’d think so.
Now imagine a talented young golfer with the above option. A dedicated young man with unwavering commitment. How long would it take for him to become a household name? A year or two? You would think (and hope) that he would be on the PGA Tour within a short time.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee.
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So Greg Norman couldn’t quite hang on. I think his effort was more than commendable and he should be proud of what he has done. Norman made the Tigerless Open something worth talking about.
He didn’t seem to have the same spark on the last day. A nervous and tentative start didn’t help the cause. Despite that he was still in the lead with nine holes to go. For some reason he couldn’t strike his irons with any authority. Just when he could have put some heat on Harrington he played poor approaches to 10, 12 and 13. The commentators suggested he chose the wrong club a couple of times – I think he completely miss hit them rather than choosing a bad club.
Full marks should go to Harrington who played a superb back nine. He snuffed out any remote chance of losing with that 5 wood approach into the 17th. Wayne Grady called it “the shot of The Open”, there might have been better shots played this week but none more important. His two shots into 18 weren’t bad either!
A special mention should also go to Ian Poulter. He put himself into contention with a gritty performance on Sunday. He would be ruing his three-putt par on 17. Two putts there and a par on 18 would have seen him finish on 6 over. This would have made things interesting. But it wasn’t to be. For the second time this weekend he took three-putts when he needed two. Such is life. Let’s hope that we see more of him. Definitely a character who doesn’t lack any confidence.
In the end it wasn’t meant to be for Norman. There’s a fine line between winning and losing and once again Norman was on the wrong side. Not sure if there’s much to say other than bad luck.
I found this week’s event fascinating and compulsive viewing. Here’s my take on this year’s Open;
- Remarkable things can happen when you least expect them
- We don’t lose talent and skill if we don’t practise
- You’re never too old to achieve something special
- Extreme conditions require special shot making skills
- Links golf is more exciting that “normal” golf
- Shooting over par still makes for a good tournament
- A golf course doesn’t have to be super long to be challenging
- Australians are still the best at golf television coverage. Pity we don’t have any tournaments anymore!
- Golf still goes on without Tiger but we sure do miss him
- Luck will always play a part in deciding a winner
Let me know if you have any thoughts…
P.S. In what was a poor golf day for the Aussies, Nick Flanagan and Gavin Coles couldn’t fire on the US PGA after leading going into the final round.
I’ve just finished playing this afternoon – I didn’t have the best game but it was a lot of fun. I always think that the worst day of golf beats the best day of working:)
Today I was joined by a new junior member who really impressed me. He has a distinctive swing, not orthodox, but it definitely got the job done. This little guy played without any fuss and was able to repeat his swing time after time. He shot 4 over, which is a good score on a difficult golf course and a course he isn’t that familiar with.
I hope he doesn’t change his swing. I’m sure there will be pressure to do so as he gets older – but I hope he resists the urge. I’m positive that he can become a super player with what he has – I’d hate to see his natural style compromised and be forced to look more conventional.
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The main topic of conversation today was Greg Norman. He currently has a two shot lead at The Open. There is only about six hours before he hits off in the final round, and I’ve been asked about 100 times if he can win.
Each time I said, “Of course he can!”
Greg Norman has been my hero since the first time I saw him play in 1988. I was so impressed by his charisma and style of play that I gave up a promising soccer career to play golf. There has always been something special about him and it doesn’t surprise me that he is doing so well.
I think all of the near misses, bad luck and poor finishes of previous major losses will hold him in good shape later today. He has nothing to lose and I’m sure he is in a better head space then he has ever been before going into the last round of a major.
The big key is for him to keep swinging and playing aggresively. I really hope he goes for it, keeps taking driver on most holes and doesn’t opt for a safe game plan.
If he can get over the line it will be one of the greatest wins of all time. I’m a little biased, but I can’t think of anything in recent times that would match that achievement. Can you?
I’m astounded that Channel 7′s lead news story tonight was the world record by Grant Hackett in the 800 metre short course Olympic trial. A great effort, but surely Norman’s effort so far is a bigger story? Maybe I’m missing something or just biased?
Anyway, I can hardly wait and I’m off to bed to get some sleep before it gets underway.
Visualisation is not required to hit a good golf shot.
A bit controversial? I’m sure it is, but give me a minute to explain myself.
I have studied sports psychology, dabbled in meditation and even did some NLP for a little while. These disciplines (at least some of the time) require the participants to visualise. These pursuits have strong ties with the game of golf and a big part of their methodology revolves around visualisation. The most common scenario is to visualise the target and of oneself making a perfect golf swing.
Jack Nicklaus, the best golfer ever (maybe Tiger can put his hand up) has this to say about visualisation;
“I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp, in-focus picture of it in my head. First I see the ball where I want it to finish, nice and white and sitting up high on the bright green grass. Then the scene quickly changes, and I see the ball going there: its path, trajectory, and shape, even its behavior on landing. Then there is a sort of fade-out, and the next scene shows me making the kind of swing that will turn the previous images into reality.”
All this makes a lot of sense and going against this advice would seem kind of silly. I’m also not going to say Jack Nicklaus had it wrong, after all, winning eighteen majors shows you can play.
What I will say is that trying to visualise over the ball or when you’re trying to play a shot is the wrong thing to do.
Why?
Because visualising is not “staying in the present”. “Staying in the present” is what every sports psychologist will tell you to do. Visualising is attempting to predict the future. Predicting the future is no better than worrying about what happened on the last hole. I’m sure you’ll agree that concerning yourself about the double bogey, the three-putt or even the birdie on the previous hole is not going to help you. Neither is attempting to predict what is about to happen.
I’m positive that Nicklaus and every other great player is not visualising when they are hitting the ball. Their minds are clear and they’re playing on automatic pilot.
The more I’ve learned to play instinctively the less I’ve concerned myself with visualisation. Sometimes images pop into my mind when I’m about to play, but I don’t actively try and “see” the shot and picture the target in my mind.
I’m not against golfers trying to picture the shot or their swing in their mind’s eye. Some golfers feel lost without it. What I think is needed is better instruction on how and when to use visualisation. If you like visualising then do it behind the ball. Never when you’re over the ball.
For the most part golfers think too much – and visualising justs adds to mind garbage that holds golfers back. Clear your mind and hit the ball, you will hit better shots and these will be better than anything you could possibly dream up.
Good golfing,
Cameron
What’s the most important part of any golf swing?
Grip? Stance? Backswing?
Nope. At least not if you ask me.
I believe the critical aspect of any golf shot you play is the walk to the ball. Sound a bit strange? Let me explain myself.
The walk to the ball is critical because it is the time you need to get your head in the right place and automate your swing. If you’re walking to the ball thinking about your swing, the target or your score then you’re in big trouble. This has to be done behind the ball.
You need to have a clear head space by the time you reach the ball. You mind needs to be in the present – allowing you to feel relaxed and confident.
I’m aware that walking to the ball is not all that sexy – that most golfers would rather work on swing mechanics or hitting the ball a long way. It’s for this reason that it gets ignored by most golf instruction outlets. If you want to ensure your golf swing becomes automatic and more importantly stays automatic for the duration of the stroke, then you need to pay attention to the few steps you take before getting to the ball. Here’s some key points for your consideration;
- Do all your thinking behind the golf ball. This includes picking a target and choosing a club.
- Focus your gaze on the golf ball, not the target when you’re ready to go. This helps keep your mind in the correct place.
- Play quickly. Although it’s not necessary to play quickly, I have found that golfers can benefit from speeding up their play. You can take your time behind the ball, but once you’ve decided on the shot get on with it. The less you fluff about the better you’ll play.
- If you find your mind getting too distracted you should stop and start over.
- By the time you get to the ball your focus and concentration should be pointed. You should feel relaxed and in your own little bubble. This is the perfect mindset to play remarkable golf.
I can’t expect golfers to get too excited about working on this part of their game but it’s well worth the effort. When you can walk up to the ball with a consistent thought pattern and step into the ball automatically the game almost magically becomes easier. Something worth exploring.
I’ll talk to you soon.
Good golfing,
Cameron
So you’ve given automatic playing a go but you’re not getting the results you were looking for. Below I’ve listed the three most common mistakes that will likely be holding you back.
Not giving automatic a fair go. My strong recommendation is to attempt to play automatically and naturally for at least three rounds. My belief is that you’ll experience something “remarkable” in this time. Hopefully this will be enough to convince you that you possess enough talent to play golf your way, rather than relying on golf industry methods and standards.
The big but is that you’ve got to step up to the plate and give it a go. If you’re going to quit after one bad shot or not prepared to stick it out for three rounds you’re unlikely to see “remarkable”. The three round challenge takes discipline, courage and a level of trust. Ultimately it takes a serious commitment so your system can adjust and then revel in the freedom that automation allows.
Expecting miracles. Automatic playing is not a miracle cure. It will maximise your chances of playing your best golf but it cannot give you a game that you don’t already own. For example, if you’ve always played with a big slice and you’ve never hit a draw shot (even in practice) you will not start hitting the ball with a draw. It’s just not going to happen.
If you can hit the ball well on the practice tee but you choke and stuff up under pressure, then automation is your salvation. It will give you a strategy for dealing with the nerves, pressure and fear. It’s this strategy that can make the game fun again. After all, learning to play well when it really matters is what separates winners from everyone else.
But you’ll need a healthy dose of self-honesty to see the full benefits of automatic learning. If you keep attempting shots that Tiger wouldn’t try or ignore your physical limitations then you’ll always be disappointed. Trying to fool your subconscious is a long road to nowhere. It can’t be done, no matter how long you persist.
Holding on to what’s comfortable. Automatic playing can feel uncomfortable. To make significant improvement you need to change your attitude and your belief of what’s possible. This can feel weired and the temptation is to stay safe. But you can’t keep playing the same way over and over and expect a different result. To do so is madness. The ultimate goal of natural and automatic learning is to get golfers to remove the straight jacket and explore what lies beyond conscious control.
The common place I see golfers “play safe” is on the first tee. They swing carefully and steer the ball down the fairway. They repeat this process for the entire eighteen holes and wonder why the game is so difficult. To me this is not playing golf. A real golfer, a golfer that is prepared for remarkable, will pull out all stops and swing without fear from the first attempt. Thoughts of missing fairways or losing golf balls is replaced with an enthusiasm for what’s possible.
The possible lies outside of conscious thought. You also won’t find it in golf magazines or on the practice tee. Your real potential can only be discovered when you decide to stop thinking and play golf from the first tee shot.
Playing your best golf doesn’t happen because of long drives, holes-in-one and sinking long putts. You’ll discover your best golf when you can get the ball in play from the tee, hit your iron shots somewhere near the green and learning not to three putt. Your own “remarkable” level of golf is a lot easier than you’d ever expect. The remarkable part of it happens when you can do it repeatedly. You don’t need a skill transplant, new clubs or a different swing. Your best bet is to give automatic a go for a minimum of three rounds, understand your limitations and open your mind to a different possibility.
Good golfing,
Cameron
After Tiger won this year’s US Open I wrote about why I think he’s so dominant. Briefly, I believe that he is the most automated and natural athlete in the world. It seems he never plays safe. He lets go, and hits every shot like it’s his last. There appears to be little self-doubt, confusion or worry. He decides what he wants to do and then executes the shot to his best ability.
This process sounds easy to do but it is deceptively difficult. This is one reason I believe that Tiger his head and shoulders above the rest, and why you may not be playing your best golf. I challenged you to take this approach for three rounds of golf. I believe this exercise will teach you more about your golf then any other lesson will. Below are my results of taking the challenge…
Round #1: I made an effort to trust my swing and let go. I realised early on that I had a tendency to think too much about the score and the results. My process for staying automatic helped the cause. I had two putts on 17 to get to five under (my best score in a while). I did everything correctly (I think) and hit the best putt I could. It narrowly missed the hole and traveled 1.5 metres past the hole. Again, I cleared my mind as best as I could and let the putt go. It missed but I felt that I didn’t flinch or steer the putt in any way.
The last hole was a similar story. I three putted after playing two good shots into the green. If I’m honest, I hit the wrong club into the green and let the previous miss (on 17) distract me. The end result was my second putt on 18 was a poor one. I was disappointed but manged to shoot 69 (3 under). It was a good score but it could have been better.
Round #2: This game was played under appalling conditions. It was tough going but I refused to change my approach. I didn’t worry about the wind, my swing or the score. This potentially was one of the best rounds I’ve played. My ball striking was good and I was able to negotiate the tough holes quite well. The last two holes were straight into the wind – I hit two low boring approach shots that finished on the green and was able to make par. It was fantastic to finish the round off so well. Score: 70
Round #3: This game was also the second and final round of my Club’s Winter Trophy. I hadn’t won this event before, and after my first good round (69 – see above) I was in contention and keen to do well. The temptation was to think about my score and worry about what everyone else was doing. I resisted the urge and focussed on playing golf.
The round started well but I couldn’t find a birdie over the first four holes . On the 5th (a par 5) I played a nice second shot and had two putts for birdie. I made a tricky two metre putt for birdie on the 6th and when I birdied the 7th my round was alight!
For some reason I started feeling tight on the 10th tee. I backed off the tee shot and recommitted to the job at hand. I completely let go and had no thought of concern. My three wood found the middle of the fairway and the approach was a good one. By this time the nerves had settled and I was feeling good. The putt for birdie was struck without a worry in the world and found the middle of the hole.
The 10th hole was a revelation for me. I realised that previously I had played too cautiously and safe when having a good round- that I would play to protect my score rather than continuing to shoot the best score possible.
I birdied the 15th hole to get to five under and when I hit my second into the 17th (a par 5) to three metres (my best shot of the day) I was on track for my best score in a long time. Determined to keep the process going I refused to play safe on the last. A good tee shot left me a six iron to a back pin position. The easy shot was to aim for the front tier and leave a difficult putt. I opted for the harder shot and play for the back tier and give myself a shot at a closing birdie. Playing on autopilot I hit a low iron shot that had eyes for the flag. The ball landed past the pin, leaving a quick downhill putt. The putt for a sixty-five narrowly missed and I tapped in for a six under score.
I was thrilled with the round and pleased how I was able to play the last few holes. I didn’t choke or play safe. I had chances to shoot a better score and it was fun to play great shots under pressure.
The three-round challenge was the best thing I’ve done in golf for some time and I’m glad I gave it another go. Here’s what I learned;
- I’m prone to playing too carefully when on track for a good score
- I think too much of the outcome – worried about score and the consequences of hitting a poor shot
- If I let go and not think too much I play better. At first this was uncomfortable but it became easier to do
- Good rounds become great rounds and the possibility for remarkable play is increased
- Much more fun
- Golf is such a silly game and we ALL worry too much
- The difference from average golf to great golf is a fine line. The difference is in attitude rather than skill level
Despite having a good understanding of the learning process and automatic golf I still have plenty to learn. Playing without fear and approaching each shot automatically is easy to talk about but not easy to do. It takes a level of courage and discipline that can’t be bought or borrowed – and one reason why technology will never be the determining factor in golf.
If you want to have a breakthrough in your golf game then I strongly urge you to take the three-round challenge. It is a small commitment but can completely revolutionise your golf game and open your eyes to what’s possible. If you have given it a go I would love to hear about it.
Good golfing,
Cameron
P.S. I managed to win the Winter Trophy which was a nice bonus 
