concentration for consistency

[slater170]

ive found the articles on the psychological side of golf on this site interesting. i only took this great game up just over a year ago and im really starting to see some real improvement but with no real consistency which i think may be down to confidence. i struggle to stay focused for a whole round and im gutted if i have a few poor holes in a row which leads to round falling apart. also im fighting against myself as its not in my nature to slow down i walk and talk fast so tend to rush pre shot routine and set up.

any ideas on how i remedy these problems
thanks in advance
ian

[biggaryT78]

Re: concentration for consistency

The single greatest book i have read on The psychology of this crazy game is "Zen Golf"

It outlines a technique to combat your problem. In general your going to have to slow down.. Not only because its hurting your game, but if you rush, your just going to have to wait on the next shot anyway... everyone in the U.S. is slower than... well... slow!..

Its called the SLOW MOTION drill. Just take your normal pre-shot rutine you do... but do it as SLOW as possible!! you need to actually walk up to the ball in slow motion and set up in slow motion and then swing normaly.

it will aid you in learning to slow down.

Another idea!
To stay in the moment during a round, try and focus on relaxing each part of your body individually, starting with your head, then neck, then breathing, then arms and abs and legs and feet.... breath deaply and reduce any other areas in your body that have tension. you can do this as you walk. you dont want to be a noodle, but a athletic but calm muscular masterpeice!!!

THen Hit that thing!
hope this helps.
sorry so long.
gary

[Ian Hancock]

Re: concentration for consistency

Hi Slater,

I have to disagree with Gary, not about the courses in the US but making you slow down, only my opinion.

Ben crane plays slow and does everything slow, Nick price no doubt is the same as you, do everything at your normal pace. If you walk, talk and do most things fast then you golf will be fast, it your natural rhythm don't change that.

What you will have to do is learn a pre shot routine that suit you, take time to check wind, yardage club selection, do all these things while you wait for others to catch up, then when it your go................go do it at your pace.

My advise would be to pretend there is a line behind your ball about 10 feet behind, stay here do all your checks, totally relaxed, you cannot concentrate for four hours, chat do what you like behind the line. once you cross that line, your pre-shot and swing should be as fast as you like.

Your concentration is like a small bottle of water taken with you on your round, drink it on the first you have none left, take a sip on every hole it will last the round, your concentration is the same.


Hope this helps


Ian.

[vp27519]

Re: concentration for consistency

Good thread and I'm a bit like you Slats.

I have trouble staying focused. I tend to agree with Ian's comments. Gary has good points in relation to relaxation. I'll give it a go.

Slats, I'm working hard between shots not to think about my game at hand. I'll walk around, talk to my partners, look at the flora and fauna and so on. It's when I walk to my ball that I take note of the wind, lie, location of flag and so on. Then I'm into my pre shot routine and pull the trigger.

If I stick to my game plan and not worry about the score, I've found at the end of the round I scored well.

p.s Ian, I can't sip my water - I buy more at the turn. Bit like my beer.

[biggaryT78]

Re: concentration for consistency

I deffinitly didnt mean that you should continue to do your rutine in slow motion... its just a way to encurage not speeding up as your round falls apart and you get too excited.

I totally agree with the last too comments if you do things fast you will always do them fast. Just manage your thoughts in process...

"A young man visited the Dali Lama and asked for teachings, saying he had read many books and spoken to many wise men and still is having trouble understanding all this knowlege.
The Dali Lama asked the young man to tea, as he poored the tea it filled to the brim and spilled over. He kept pooring and pooring and tea was going all over the table and floor. After a moment the young man flustered said "Stop! stop, No more tea will go in!!"
The Dali Lama stopped pooring and said "Your mind is like this cup, for it to truly comprehend anything you must first empty your cup."

[slater170]

Re: concentration for consistency

thanx lads and lasses for your replies you've certainly given me something to think about and work with. think the technique side of things are coming along nicely so i need to dial in the mental side of things to support it consistently! i'll let u know how it goes
nicole thanks for reminding me of my school nickname nobody's called me by that for 26 years!

cheers again
ian (slats)