Trust

[tpg1965]

hi all

In my time as a golfer i have played against ( and been beaten by ) people with the most unorthodox swings that you can imagine. I would look at them standing on the 18th tee and think to myself " how can i be losing to you. your posture resembles somebody sitting on a invisible stool , you only have a 3/4 back swing and still outdrive me and you have never taken a lesson. this should not be possible". It took me years to work out why thes people would beat me, despite their unorthodox approach.
Now i have found their secret . They found what worked for them, they ingrained it and then they trusted it. Once on the course they had no thoughts of swing mechanics becuase they knew they had a swing that they could rely on.
Let me know your thoughts on this......Regards.....Terry



I know i posted this earlier as a reply to somebody elses thread, but i just thought that more people might get to read it if i posted this as a seperate thread.....

[GregJWillis]

Re: Trust

Listen to my podcast...they are a #2.

[lgskywalker37]

Re: Trust

that is so true. trusting your swing is also really going to help you under pressure. if you know you can hit it good in practice, just trust your swing and know you can hit good and then hit good

[shootin4par]

Re: Trust

George burns used to smoke cigars and drink whiskey everday, and he lived to be very old. He was an exception to the rule because if the average man did that he would die of lung cancer or kidney failure before the age 60. WOuld it be smart for the average man to tempt fate and see if he is another George burns, would it be wise for the average golfer to tempt fate and see if he is another John Daly?

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Trust

Hi Terry,

There is a lot of food for thought there..........................

You also make an important point and Tim covers this in his book, in the book he explains that players like me and you and I suggest 99% of players at this site have a real problem spliting the too types of golf................

Practice and learning

Playing the game.

The player with a bad swing, doesn't care he plays the game without swing thoughts hence positivity.

The player with a picture perfect swing has to keep everything in his mind, hence he plays swing and his game can suffer.

The problem lies in practice, we practice the swing mechanics far more than play the game so when we get to the course we play mechanics instead of the game.
For a long time now this is my tact, I get to the course and completley switch the mechanics off, not easy because I have lost trust in what I have taught the body, but the body has learned to hit the ball with the "correct" mechanics perfectly, the brain just will not trust it, this is where the book comes in.

When ever I go the range, I hit the last 30/50 ball while humming a tune or just with a silent mind, and I practice switching the mind off after a practice thought....................I have also proven my theory, just before we shot that 2 iron tee shot from behind that is in the gallery, me and my mate were just discussing swing mechanics, then when I pulled the camera out I completley switched off and let the trained body do its job..................needless to say I was pleased with the job.

Back to your point, learn the above and the guy with the trusting bad swing will soon start to question his ability during the game, when you look athletic, powerful and rhythmic.


I can only say that the book "the inner game of golf" by tim galwey has helped me alot as a consistant mechanics thinker.


Ian.

[tpg1965]

Re: Trust

Hi ian
thank you for the facsinating reply. As i am also a mechanics orientated golfer ( which i have started to address ) , i find myself looking more and more to the psycology of golf and you have given me another book title that is going straight to the top of my shopping list.

I know you are a busy man but i really hope you find time in the future to post a thread regarding dealing with emotions on the golf course.

i eagerly look forward to your next article .....high regards....Terry

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Trust

Thanks Terry I will think about this,

If you buy Tim's book go for the 1983 version with a green soft back cover around £8.00 on amazon.

Cheers


Ian.

[iverson2169]

Re: Trust

Ian,

Very insightful response. How do you suggest balancing the need to let the subconscious take over during a round of golf, with the need to preform a pre-flight assesment of your next shot?

Are you suggesting just before the actual swing is when to shut off the "computer"?

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Trust

That is correct,

Sounds mad because you are letting your control go, but trust me your body can hit the ball perfect if the mind doesn't keep doubting it.

I have a pre shot routine that may even be working on something, like a position in the backswing but you cannot think this when you swing so I have an imagionary line across the fairway behind my ball, laugh and joke, pre shot behind it, once crossed "switch the computer off" it will come back on, on it's own when the ball is airbourne.

These are the words of Jack Nicklas. I picture the shot in my mind, i step into the picture and wake up when the ball is in the air.

Obviously it is not that easy for the average joe, it takes practice and sometimes you forget and think then duff, practice practice practice.......


It works for me.


Ian.

[iverson2169]

Re: Trust

Yeah Jack sure could turn a phrase.

My favorite one is how he "collects" the ball with his driver.

-also-

characterized it as "applying" the driver head to the ball.

With regards to shuttng down the minds analytical side prior to swing, does this apply to putting as well?

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Trust

Absolutley,

Just let the eyes take the information on board and stroke the ball.

Never try to hit the ball hard enough.

Try this,

Walk all around a putt of say 10 feet, set you putter behind the ball without any practice strokes, shut you eyes and stroke the ball. Try this a few times at different lengths.


You will be shocked.


Ian.