The Feel of Good Golf

Golf Exercises — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:05:24 +0000

You’ve heard it said dozens of times. Golf is a game of “feel”. You just know instinctively when something’s right or wrong for you.

It sounds a little confusing, doesn’t it? Let’s try to take that vague feeling and put it into words and action.

First off, let’s address the technique of swinging with all your might. If you swing really hard, then you can’t get the feel of a correctly hit ball and your muscles don’t learn the feel of correct balance. When players have the feel of the shot, their muscles and sense of touch are tuned in to the correct gauge and balance and they just know they can hit the ball.

photo credit: kevindooley

When you want to lunge at the ball, your power should be developed by twisting your body. If you learn this, it won’t take 3 or 4 years before you’re hitting the ball a good distance. When you keep failing with a certain shot, just stop and think what you’re doing, what you’re trying to accomplish. Don’t try any certain method unless you have a definite purpose for using it.

Always remember the basics. Think in your mind how it feels to prepare properly for a shot.

One important point is that it’s not necessary to feel the power during the stroke. You want to swing easily. It’s the energy that’s transferred to the ball that counts. Get rid of every little detail that destroys your balance and you’ll get on the right track. Cut out everything that’s not comfortable. Your ability to keep your balance and be comfortable is the measure of the amount of power you can use successfully. Many players lift their heads at the last instant. This doesn’t add power to the stroke. It actually takes power away from it.

It may sound tricky but you really want to be as comfortable as possible while playing a game and to do things as easily, flexibly and fluidly as possible. Much of this comfortability is purely mental.

Make sure you keep your eye on the ball while you’re moving. That’s what counts. When you’re doing things comfortably your strength is being properly applied.

The second you brace your muscles, you’re moving away from the correct way of playing. If you want to see if your method is right, check your comfortability level. If you get better results with your own method then follow your own method and don’t try to imitate someone else. If you want to learn from someone, ask them why they’re swinging in a certain way and if you can learn the reason then you can apply the knowledge in your own way. Just trying to imitate someone else’s swing doesn’t benefit you.

Over time, you’ll acquire the ability to know what shot feels right, what club feels best, what decision you should make. That’s the feel. The instinct. The touch of greatness!

This Post is Courtesy of: Effective Golf Exercises, where you can get the latest news and resources on golf exercises.

The Feel of Good Golf

Fearless Golf

Golf Exercises — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:51:28 +0000

The person who is relaxed and confident plays a better game of golf than one whose knees are shaking at the thought of sand traps. Fear is one thing you never want to take with you to the driving range.

Problems with a good player are almost always mental in nature. Thinking clearly really is the name of the game. And a clear head is impossible when fear reigns.

So if you change how you think, you change your game. Don’t worry why the ball flew where it did. Just keep your mind focused on the next shot.

One of the big problems for some folks is that they constantly worry about what others will think of them if they make a bad shot. If you’re thinking about how someone else is going to perceive you, you’re not concentrating on the ball, on your swing, on the basics.

Must you have the approval of others? In the grand scheme of life, is hitting a bad shot truly a disaster you can never overcome?

Psychologists tell us that we tend to become a composite of the five persons we’re around the most. Maybe you need to find some more relaxed folks to practice with.

photo credit: spaceamoeba

Playing with a perfectionist translates into “no fun”. Why ruin the joy of the game for yourself? Find friends you can play the game with just for the pure enjoyment. Your game will likely improve as you’re less tense and able to swing more freely.

One help in this aspect of overcoming fear is to concentrate solely on your game. Ben Hogan wrote that “to ignore the gallery and the other golfers, and to shut my mind against everything but my own game” was key to his concentration.

If you’re worried about what others think, chances are your game is really inconsistent. You’re overly aggressive one second and overly conservative the next.

The key? Focus on the target, not the situation. Ignore the stakes. Just concentrate on your game.

Perfectionism not only causes ulcers, but it ruins the joy of the game. Top players refine their skills every year. They’re always improving in little ways that add up. You’re not always going to play your best game, and you’ll never play a perfect one – no matter how skilled you are. Work to improve little faults and your game will gradually get better and better.

Smiling widely relaxes your facial muscles, and serves you well in overcoming anxiety. Get into the habit of smiling before hitting the ball instead of furrowing your brow.

Don’t dwell on mistakes. As Tiger Woods says, “I hit it and forget it.” You can’t go back in time and replay a shot, so just forget about it and move on.

Don’t worry about what others think of your shot making. Overcoming that fear alone will improve your game vastly! And when you’re ready to play your next game – think confidently and stay focused.

You’ll soon become a master of fearless golf!

This Post is Courtesy of: Effective Golf Exercises, where you can get the latest news and resources on golf exercises.

Fearless Golf

Effective Golf Exercises » Golf Workout

The Feel of Good Golf

Fearless Golf