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Losing focus and concentration is probably the largest error in golf and costs golfers more shots than any other factor.
To hit the best shot we can we have to be totally focussed on executing the shot at hand. By that I mean that we are collectively focussed on (1) our target and (2) the swing we want to make to propel the ball to that target.
"My ability to concentrate and work toward that goal has been my greatest asset."
Jack Nicklaus
Control the Wandering Mind
It is when our mind wanders to other outside thoughts that we succumb to mental interference and do not hit our best shots. Examples of a wandering mind are when we are addressing the ball and think about: –
avoiding the trees on the right;
not hitting another slice like we did on the last hole;
what our score might be if we continue in the form we are in;
what the result of a certain shot might mean to our score;
what people will think of our shot when we are playing in front of a crowd;
Do you ever find yourself thinking of something other than playing the shot before you? If you do it is likely to be costing you a lot more shots than you think.
Any time our mind is not totally absorbed in the process of executing the shot at hand we are drastically decreasing our chances of hitting that shot to the best of our ability.
Any thoughts of what the possible exit of the shot might be will likely cause an increase in anxiety. This inevitably leads to tension in the muscles and that is probably the largest reason why we do not make a smooth, natural rhythmical swing.
Tension-The Biggest Swing Wrecker!
Is there a golfer at your club who has the most beautiful, graceful practice swing and then follows it up with an ugly, jerky stab at the ball! The two swings bear no resemblance to each other! I bet there is more than just one of these characters?
The difference between the two swings is caused by tension. The tension has been created by anxiety and doubt about the potential outcome of the shot he is about to hit.
The Brain's Assumption About Muscles
The scientific research into sports physiology indicates that our brain assumes that any physical action we perform will be done with relaxed, long muscles. The brain calculates the co-regulation required based on this assumption that the muscles are relaxed.
When we create tension in our body (as a result of anxiety, doubt or fear of failure) our muscles tighten and contract which naturally makes them shorter. This means that our brain is now calculating all the information required to hit the golf ball based on incorrect information . It is little wonder that the resulting shot is not a good one.
Tense muscles might only make a fraction of a difference but we all know that golf is a game of fractions and a small change in the path of the swing or the angle of the clubface at impact can produce a misdirected shot.
Relaxed muscles are vital to playing our best golf and sitting solid shots. To hit every shot in a relaxed state you need to focus on the process of hitting the shot rather than the potential exit. A deep relaxing breath before every shot will also help.
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Source by Ed Bradley
