Swing thoughts during a round

[Cut Off 6-iron]

I know that it's a bad thing to do, but can you think about one swing mechanic during the pre-shot routine and ingrain that feeling in your real swing (Forgetting about the swing-thought during the actual swing) or is that considered thinking about swing mechanics? If it helps, my swing thought is "completing the backswing and staying within my body (no sway).

[Powerpro]

According to Dr. Joe Parent, in his book "ZEN GOLF", he recommends that you should rehearse the swing and the swing thought (move) in your pre-shot routine. He calls it programming.

After a couple of pre-swings, tell yourself that the move is programmed in and just let the program run as you step up and hit the shot. He also recommends that you have an image of the desired shot prior to making the swing. It's a terrific book.

[Cut Off 6-iron]

That really helps a lot. I was taught to have absolutely no swing-thought and clear my mind about everything, but seemed to lose the quality strikes that I had on the range when I do think about the swing. Thanks

[dap]

I think even pros have swing keys but they are usually very simple and targets areas of the swing that has always been problematic for them.

Nick faldo said in one of his books,you should not have more than 2 swing thoughts.One for the backswing and one for the downswing and keep them simple and easy.

[happyroman]

[quote name='LOVE_NaYeonChoi' date='14 March 2010 - 05:00 PM' timestamp='1268604015' post='2315588']
That really helps a lot. I was taught to have absolutely no swing-thought and clear my mind about everything, but seemed to lose the quality strikes that I had on the range when I do think about the swing. Thanks
[/quote]

Having no swing thought during the swing is very difficult. Exactly when you are trying to keep your mind "blank" is when your subconscious will jump up and grab you, usually with very negative effects to the shot.

Check out Cary Mumford's Clear Key System. He teaches one to repeat a nonsensical phrase (like Easy Peezey Lemon Squeezy) during the pre-shot routine and actual swing in order to keep the mind occupied so that a bad swing thought can't take over mid swing.

Here's a link: [url="http://clearkeygolf.com/"]http://clearkeygolf.com/[/url]

Mr. Mumford reads these forums and posts here from time to time, BTW.

[RBImGuy]

You swing the club and send the ball to the target.
that is all you need to do and keep track of.
any swing thought is silly and a no no.

You pre-set the shot you need to make, then step up and swing the club to send the ball to the target.

[ironcat]

Jack Nicklaus used to always have multiple swing thoughts - sometimes up to seven at a time.

He won a few.

[happyroman]

[quote name='pinkie' date='19 March 2010 - 07:30 AM' timestamp='1269001808' post='2326832']
Jack Nicklaus used to always have multiple swing thoughts - sometimes up to seven at a time.

He won a few.
[/quote]

Pros use the term swing "thoughts" but really mean swing "feels." Amateurs use thoughts in a verbal sense, like the instructions [i]keep your head down[/i], [i]keep your left arm straight,[/i] etc.

Nicklaus was more famous for his use of visualization, which he called "going to the movies." He would visualize the shot, then actually feel the swing necessary to create that shot.

[Golfme]

I think you need to have a swing thought, just one. Something that will get you in position for a good swing. like an above poster said, when you leave your mind blank, thoughts creep into your head. Happens to me when I putt all the time.

Just keep it simple, consistent, and the same thing through out the round.

[jjj912]

An oldie but a goldie.

[jjj912]

I've had some success when I stare hard and focus hard on the landing area just before I swing and try to clear my mind of all thoughts except the landing area. Basically, there is no room for swing thoughts on the course. Swing thoughts are for the range. On the course, you've got play with the clubs in the bag (to butcher an old expression).

I've had some success when I tell myself to swing nice and easy. No need to kill the ball. To re-phrase an SNL(?) quote, "You're good enough, you're long enough, and, goshdarnit, golfers like me."

[swbyps]

IMO, I dont think you should be having swing thoughts in the process of actually hitting the shot, but you should have them in your pre-shot routine.

For me....

Stand behind the ball to see the line

Two practice swings while actively thinking these thoughts in the swing
1. Not too much grip pressure
2. Tempo
3. Backswing not too far
4. Stay in spine angle
5. Let the swing go smooth all the way through the ball by not tensing up

Step into it..tell myself "I got this shot"...fire away!

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='LOVE_NaYeonChoi' date='14 March 2010 - 02:51 PM' timestamp='1268599885' post='2315440']
I know that it's a bad thing to do, but can you think about [i]one[/i] swing mechanic during the pre-shot routine and ingrain that feeling in your real swing (Forgetting about the swing-thought during the actual swing) or is that considered thinking about swing mechanics? If it helps, my swing thought is "completing the backswing and staying within my body (no sway).
[/quote]

Practicing intent before you're over the ball is good... thinking about it tends to be bad because breaking down swing mechanics can creep in when you're over the ball likely influencing outcome in the wrong way.  The one common pre-shot thought I have is staying down on the ball, till I am over the ball, then instinct and routine takes over.  

[gvogel]

I played pretty well recently without thinking much at all, except for working on my pre-shot routine.

I started using the pick a spot in front of the ball to line up, after seeing the shot in my mind. I found that by really concentrating on lining up correctly, and making sure that my grip was right, I didn't have much time to think of much else. A couple of waggles and go.

I also used Karrie Webb's preshot swing routine - she lifts the club, waggles, then puts the club down, lifts the club, waggles then puts the club down, then lifts the club and goes. She's always been a good ball striker, so it must work. It worked for me.

Any swing thoughts are pretty simple - keep the head from dipping; hit the ball with the right hand (for driver), that sort of thing. But, I tend to play better when I just do it.

[El Guapo]

DO NOT SHANK IT!!!!

All kidding aside. I prefer to establish a pre-shot routine on the range that is consistent and then replicate it automatically during my rounds. I use the exact same pre-shot routine regardless of what club I have in my hand, with the exception of the putter, regardless of whether I'm on the range or on the course. I examine the required shot and select my club. Once selected, everything goes "automatic" and I trust that routine. It has helped me immensely in reducing poor shots and achieving greater consistency.

[crtssxc]

I think it is a good idea to have a desired trajectory and shape for each shot. Based on that thought and vision, try to (during your pre-shot routine) feel the swing that you need to complete in order to get the desired outcome. For me I like to try to "feel" the face of the club to dictate the shape. For trajectory, for me at least, an abbreviated follow through will lead to a lower shot while a full follow through will produce a higher shot. Once I have made a practice swing that feels like the one I need for the desired shot, I set up and swing.

Over the ball I try to keep my head clear because too many thoughts can make me react (and make over corrections) during the swing instead of just making a confident and fluid swing.

[scottyhowarth]

Check out Dr Gio Valiente at [url="http://www.fearleesgolf.com"]www.fearleesgolf.com[/url]

[mikpga]

Finish all swings in balance facing target...

[dlygrisse]

Once I pick a spot in front of the ball and adjust my stance to that spot, see Jack Nicklaus, I think about hitting the ball slightly on the inside and visualize it flying how I want it to. If a spot on the ball closest to the target is 12:00, I try to hit 7:00 and swing to 1:00
.
If I start getting a little too in to out, I do a few 9-3 drills to get the club going a little more left, golf is always a game of adjustments.

When pitching I think of using the bounce of the club, and I visualize the spot I want the ball to land on the green

When putting I think of rolling the ball on the line I want it to start on for 3' or so and visualize the speed.

Practice mechanics on the range, visualize the shot when you are playing the game.