Mental attitude !

[Highfly]

I'm still got a way to go, I am not a scratch golfer yet ?
But I have recently improved out ta sight.

These days I am usually aware of the direction the ball will travel at my address. I have had virtually no training or lessons but have played A LOT of golf in my 2 and a bit years of the game.

My swing is not what u would call an orthodox swing, however most days I hit 220 metres off the tee often. I have never even ever made any changes to my swing, I just let it happen.

I read all these swing posts and get terrified on all the xtra stuff everyone is supposed to remember. I reckon all our bodies are different and we can all swing differently and still achieve great results.

I just want to let other like minded hackers who are frustrated with there game what I reckon are the main things to focus on:

MENTAL ATTITUDE:

NEVER THINK ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN OR ANY NEGS U DONT WANT

ONLY THINK ABOUT WHAT U WANT THE BALL TO DO.

BELIEVE THAT U WILL PLAY WELL AND FOCUS ON STRIKING THE BALL CLEAN AND STRAIGHT and watch your score come down.

That confidence and mental attitude is it. For the first time I approach the tee blocks and believe I will hit the ball well, then its a chip to the green and a 2 putt for par, bogey if I stuff up, and it usually is, ( par 4s )

Only think about what u want to do and your brain will do it for you.
Think about what u dont want to do and your brain will do that for you.

try it I think u will be pleasantly supprised, Its working for me, Ive taken 5 shots off my game in a couple of weeks and playing better everytime I go out.

I'd love to hear what u guys think especially the better players. I'd love to hear the results of anyone that tries this.

U gotta really belive it though.

[twofast2s]

220 meters = 220yds?

i agree w/ you highfly. once a swing is grooved into a body, rest of it is mental. there's definitely a room for improvement w/ better swing, techniques, etc, but i think golf becomes more of a mental game after so long.

when i try to have fun and not worry about my swing, i shoot in mid 80's. when i try to hit w/ the best swing i can produce i shoot in low 90's. on most days that i shoot in the 80's i am more aware of things i could do ie shaping shots, but on the days i shoot 90's i am more aware of hazards, water, bunker, etc.

[DisKoDucK]

I really do believe that the mind is powerful. I often teach my Math students that fear is usually what causes us to stop trying a question, to stop being creative. Put fear away, and your mind will do things you didn't know it could do.

However, it seems easier said than done. I can try to tell myself that I will hit a shot the way I want, but I really don't think I believe it. Does anyone see the difference in what I'm trying to say? So I have no idea how a person can actually convince themselves to believe it. I guess that takes practice too?

[SiberianDVM]

yards = meters + 10%

220 meters = 242 yards

Agree on positive thoughts. I made the mistake of having a negative thought in my last tourney: Don't hit OB on 2nd hole tee shot. Sure enough, a big hook that went OB.

[warbirdlover]

You're absolutely correct. There is too much emphasis on a "picture book" swing now and not enough on results. The bottom line is getting the club face on the ball square consistently. Some basics still apply but these are simple. Over complicating the game makes it more difficult and as Siberian said negative thinking usually ends up exactly as you don't want.

Look at Furyk's swing, Trevino's swing, and it says it all.