Visualization Is The Key

[GregHanrahan]

I am very sure that there are numerous individuals here that are successful with what they do. How did you acheive it? Perhaps desire was the first movement (from heart) and with that would come along the intellect, counterpart (imagination)! We have all created where we are and we've used visualization to create all of the phenomenon that we now experience. Even if we try to deny this - it's because we are letting run the past pictures that build our futures and we wonder why 'it's always the same shit".

Let's take making a golf shot - it is never the same shot, ever. We are making that new creation of a 7 iron, pin in the middle - i know the green slopes towards the front and so, i don't want to be long. We are imagining the green because we know it - so why not the fresh new shot as a 'repeat' picture of a pure 7 iron from before. Imagine that perfect 7 you hit 3 weeks ago or from your 7 iron range practice. Sure, use a physical swing key or two, but the overriding energy 'awareness' needs to be on what you are creating. That ball flight trajectory (nice picture), even the feel in the hands - along with that crisp sound.

With many people it's that 'fear factor' filing the brain - repeating that terrible shot froom hole 2 or a fear of the water on the left. This i called 'the mole crickets' invading my brain and i would hit it off the planet away from the water or strait in it. When you see your shot and make a small target for the ball to land you will be surprised how good you get.

Now that's all great if you can swing in a repeatable fashion. Pushing certainly helps in repeatability, not to mention power......another start of an article.

I never had a 'sound' swing when i was playing - it was ALL pure imagination & feel - maybe a swing key or more......

I'll add and spread better golf, i would like to see a few replies though. Even if it's a hello, or 'that's interesting', or a well 'gracias amigo',........or questions?

[Dorkers]

Visualisation is certainly a strong element in getting the best out of your game.

I play with many a high handicapper who when faced with a shot over water or a bunker or something is placed between them start thinking 'uh oh'.

I tell them - look at all the grass up there, forget about the hazard, think about the landing area. On many of the resort style courses here in Thailand, yes there is water, but often the landing areas are very generous.

Positivity breeds confidence.

Negativity kills it.

Another element I see with lots of players who are more social golfers than playing competitive rounds is how they are unaware of how the position they tee the ball up on the tee box can increase the odds of playing a good shot in their favour.

If you play with a slice, tee up on the right side of the tee box aim for the left half/side of the fairway and you increase your % of hitting your next shot off the short stuff. Vice versa if you hit with a right to left.

If you aren't sure which way you are going to hit it think about which way would you be most likely be hitting the ball, what were your last 3,5 tee shots, what were you doing last round? Play the %

If you are hooking and slicing and anything goes, check that you are not starting your downswing with your upper body, that builds inconsistency, starting with your lower body helps to reduce inconsistency - ie left and right, anything goes.

Over to you Greg!

[GregHanrahan]

Good points Dorkers,

I would only add; when there's water or trouble right side then 'tee up' on the right side so in effect you're hitting away from the trouble. Also with a little training one could easily weaken or strengthen the grip when there's trouble left or right to stay away from it. It's funny though, that so many players will pay 2-3k on a green fee day out and hate it the way they are hitting the ball. For half of that they could get a proper lesson - hit some balls and truly enjoy their next time out.

[chuckd]

One small thing that helped my game in years past was to NEVER pull out an old ball to hit over water.

Hit a new one then you tend to concentrate more.

Enjoying the tips, Greg.

[GregHanrahan]

Thanks Chukd,

The old guy gets to the par 3 over water and pulls out an old ball and addresses it. A BOOMING voice from the heavens says "BE CONFIDENT ! put the new ball in play". So he does and addresses it - the voice BOOMS OUT " take a practice swing". The old guy does what he does and swings a chop from the top. Then the voice says "take out the old ball!".

When i played pro i would change the ball every 4-5 holes max. I usually waited for a reachable par 5 or a long tough par 4, the new ball would give me a few extra and the confidence boost was neat. Titleist was my ball sponsor, THE BEST BALL EVER! Asian Tour i would get 2 doz. per tournament, Japan was 3 and Europe was 4 dozen per week. That was super kool, my shag bag was always fresh. I would give a box of balls and a glove to my buddies "wanna be playing pros" for Thai tournaments.

If i made a birdie i would NOT change the ball - unless it was like 3 or 4 on the trot, then i would. In older days when they made them ,i liked boxes of numbers '5-8'.

What was really special at a few tournaments in Japan they would have 4-5 different brands of range balls for us. All the big names of Japanese balls and Pro V1's. That was fun - practicing with new balls.

[Dorkers]

Brand new Titliests... nice work if you can get it!

Any chance of a lazy dozen heading my way?!

been following the thread - ChuckyD - very ballsy indeed, pardon the pun.

I used to buy a box at $70 a dozen back in Aust. New one at the start of everyround, but... at the water holes, I would take an older one out of the bag. My thought process - if I was going to still hit the club in the middle but chose the wrong club, I wouldn't want to be wasting a brand new ball on the 2nd hole.

I understand the confidence mindset of not using an old ball- but when you do drop it in the drink you also add the factor of not just having a bad score for the hole but you have also just cost yourself money. Of course - if you are playing with a rock or can afford new balls or not paying for them , then go for it....

For me I am quite comfortable changing to an 'older ball' (not one run over by the mower) and still making a good score on the hole. Mentally I have found solace in that decision.

One exception - playing in Matchplay, I stay with the new pill. Ahhhh the tactics!

All between the ears...... and trying not to dip into the wallet.