COMMUNITY

i lean pretty heavily on the "I'm on the range" thought. it helps me slow down.

and I'm a big believer in the "just get the ball on the green" thought when facing pitches or chips that aren't easy.

but the only time i use those thoughts is when i find myself thinking. the rest of the time, i try not to think ... just hit the ball and go find it.

1. Stand tall.
2. Relax arms.
3. Chin Up.

Schwetty Balls!!!

One thing I do well is distract myself from the game as I play. If I am going low, rather than think about my score or the next three holes or what ifs...I do weird things like trying to see shapes in the clouds. It sounds goofy but it works.

When I hit a bad shot I make myself smile. Someone once told me the act of smiling even faked creates a chemical reaction within. Not sure if its true, but mentally it reminds me that its just a game.

When my swing is off I remind myself that I am the best chipper I know and that alone gives me patience.

Most of all I am thankful that I discovered this

I desperately need to do the smile thing.

And I need to make a bigger habit out of the distraction thing. In between shots, there's so much time you can fill up with bad thoughts or worries over score ... finding shapes in clouds is a much better way to use that time.

Between holes is transition time -- What can I learn from what just happened. Then thoughts about what I WANT to do on the next shot to get the result I'm after.

Standing on the tee I focus on course management -- Where do I want the ball to end up and what shot shape is required to get good position while taking out of play trouble.

Over my tee shot -- First focus is my grip, second is alignment, third balance.

When I swing -- Focus on shoulder turn and tempo on the way back. Then hip turn just BEFORE the club reaches the top. Smooth acceleration on the downswing.

[Repeat for other shots tee to green]

Putt is 1) Reading the line; 2) Alignment to the starting line 3) Total focus during the stroke is all about speed. The main importance with these three is that I don't mix them together. Once I get the line, I'm done reading the putt. Once I get myself aligned, no more thoughts about alignment, the focus turns totally to speed of the putt.

Thinking is for the range, on the course it's, "less thinkin, more swingin".

As few as possible. Too many thoughts jumble up your head and make it hard to focus. All of my thinking is done in my pre shot routine. Where are my good misses? What shot shape do I need? Then where should I start the ball?
Aim, grip, good posture and fire away. During my swing I only use one of two swing thoughts and they are what help me work the ball. I focus on a full release to hit a draw and holding off my release to hit a cut.

I know my swing gets very quick so my only swing thought is slow down. Other then that my thoughts basically revolve around course management.

My swing thoughts are relax and make a smooth swing. Chipping see the spot on or just off the green where I want the ball to hit, Got to have that spot. Putting is where I am lost right now. The 1st putt I'm just trying to get it inside 5 feet of the hole.

This is my problem as well. If I get too fast with the weight shift it's an ugly (and aren't they all ugly) snap hook. If the hands don't catch up, big slice. I not only remind myself to complete my backswing, as I start I say to myself "all the way back" and this helps with my timing.

By the way LL that making yourself smile business is sub-genius. That's one I will try to incorporate immediately.

1st. I'm so glad I'm not working.
2nd. Distance and proper club.
3rd Alignment and ball placement in stance.
Review step 1
4th picture ball leaving club and rocketing toward target.
5th proper grip.
6th. One last look at target.
7th. Review step 1 and smile!
8th. Fire!
9th. Watch ball land, review step 1, and keep smiling!
My score may be high but no one is having a better time than me!

Agree 100% with this comment. Too much thinking is bad for the brain. I have never been a swing thought person, it's worked out OK. When Tiger went thru his recent swing change he said his goal was to "stop thinking about the swing". That was his definition of success. I'll say it's mine too.

Preach.

Simpler is better.

And, no doubt ... do your thinking during your practice swing or as your sizing up the shot while walking up/driving up to your ball.

Aim, grip, posture, fire is a good start on a good religion.

Look at Annikas explaination of her pre shot routine on youtube. Some of the best info that I have found on not over thinking during your pre shot routine and during your swing.