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I read Tim Gallwey`s "Inner Game of Golf" for the third time recently, and realised that while it all makes sense, I had`nt really put it`s principles into practice on the course before - until about 3 holes into this morning`s round, when I remembered it and played with it all the way round. (86 and 37 points off 16 handicap - I`ve been averaging 92 for ages)
Basically the premise of the whole book is that your conscious judgemental mind (self 1) gets in the way of your subconscious instinctive mind (self 2) and it`s all about tricking self 1 to think about something else while self 2 gets on with hitting the ball, which it can do pretty well, given sound fundamentals to start with.
The simple exercise for this is to concentrate on the clubhead during the swing, try to feel where it is at the top of the backswing and say "BACK" as it reaches the top, then say "HIT" at the exact moment it makes contact with the ball, you can also add another one at the finishing point of the follow through if you like, (though I didn`t)
This takes ALL self 1`s attention, and you`ll be suprised at how your subconcious side knows how to hit the ball to the target.
I played "normally" on Sunday and it seemed every approach shot went slightly left of the green, until I made allowance for this slight pull and aimed right, then it went exactly where I aimed it, right of the green.
This morning the pull disappeared without me doing ANYTHING physical at all, and I am amazed!
I had nothing worse than a 6 until the par five 18th when some lousy course management decisions and a greenside bunker cost me an 8.
Can`t wait to play again and really let go! You don`t get upset either, cause it`s like watching someone else playing and you`re along for the ride, AND you hit some shots you didn`t know you were capable of too.
Give it a try on the course - I wouldn`t bother with the range because everything works there!
Basically the premise of the whole book is that your conscious judgemental mind (self 1) gets in the way of your subconscious instinctive mind (self 2) and it`s all about tricking self 1 to think about something else while self 2 gets on with hitting the ball, which it can do pretty well, given sound fundamentals to start with.
The simple exercise for this is to concentrate on the clubhead during the swing, try to feel where it is at the top of the backswing and say "BACK" as it reaches the top, then say "HIT" at the exact moment it makes contact with the ball, you can also add another one at the finishing point of the follow through if you like, (though I didn`t)
This takes ALL self 1`s attention, and you`ll be suprised at how your subconcious side knows how to hit the ball to the target.
I played "normally" on Sunday and it seemed every approach shot went slightly left of the green, until I made allowance for this slight pull and aimed right, then it went exactly where I aimed it, right of the green.
This morning the pull disappeared without me doing ANYTHING physical at all, and I am amazed!
I had nothing worse than a 6 until the par five 18th when some lousy course management decisions and a greenside bunker cost me an 8.
Can`t wait to play again and really let go! You don`t get upset either, cause it`s like watching someone else playing and you`re along for the ride, AND you hit some shots you didn`t know you were capable of too.
Give it a try on the course - I wouldn`t bother with the range because everything works there!
I must give this a go.
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