Swing Thoughts.

Oilbeefhooked!

Hi Guys, i am new to boards golf forum , and would like to know what posters would regard as the best tip / swing thought they have ever been given that they bring with them on to the course??
Or is it as i have heard - best to have zero swing thoughts when actually playing a round??
Apologies if this has been asked on a previous post. :rolleyes:

m r c

Oilbeefhooked! wrote: »

Hi Guys, i am new to boards golf forum , and would like to know what posters would regard as the best tip / swing thought they have ever been given that they bring with them on to the course??
Or is it as i have heard - best to have zero swing thoughts when actually playing a round??
Apologies if this has been asked on a previous post. :rolleyes:

Assuming you have played golf before ect, I try not to think out on course but only try to "feel" the shot I'm about to take. Ie when I'm taking a practice swing I'm kinda learning the feel of the shot I'm going to take rather than thinking about release ect. The feel I'm looking for is less cluttered than any thought, it kinda just "is". Either you can feel what you are trying to do or not. I'd describe it as mindfulness. If I could carry that through for the whole day I swear I'd break 60, I may never break 70 but it's kinda cool to know how you could do it. Just my 2 cent.

Oilbeefhooked!

Thanks for that M R C . That sounds like the preshot/ during swing mentality i'd ultimately like to achieve.
Im playing off 13 having steadily crept down these last couple of years.Although my mind is not as cluttered as it once was over the ball, i still find myself telling myself - keep right knee flexed, stay covering the ball , stay behind at impact etc . Still 3 too many thoughts i guess, hopefully in time these will come more naturally. Cant help wondering how much these thoughts hold me back though. Is the answer just to hit hundreds of range balls so these moves come without thought??

BUACHAILL

Oilbeefhooked! wrote: »

Thanks for that M R C . That sounds like the preshot/ during swing mentality i'd ultimately like to achieve.
Im playing off 13 having steadily crept down these last couple of years.Although my mind is not as cluttered as it once was over the ball, i still find myself telling myself - keep right knee flexed, stay covering the ball , stay behind at impact etc . Still 3 too many thoughts i guess, hopefully in time these will come more naturally. Cant help wondering how much these thoughts hold me back though. Is the answer just to hit hundreds of range balls so these moves come without thought??

Welcome to boards.

I think the most natural / positive approach to this is per-shot. When over a shot there should only be a few thoughts, firstly how far have I got ? Where do I want to land the ball? Get a feel for the shot you want to play ( this to me is everything, if you cannot feel and see the shot how can you play it ) , then it should be stand over ball, take aim and let it go !!

Now that's in an ideal world, as we are amateurs what we tend to do is concentrate on what not to do, like aim right here cause I have a hook and there is water to the left. Were if I said concentrate on take away getting club on my outside and clearing my body, and get out after the ball, this would be a lot more helpful.

I think we need to recognise a few subtle things that help guard are weak areas, not focusing on the negative but what allows us correct it !! Eventually through persistence and good shots it will become a natural thing and the take aim, feel the shot and swing will follow.

Good luck with it , it's something pro,s have trouble with ;-)

Oilbeefhooked!

Thanks Buachaill, i guess the answer is just practise,practise,practise - in order to minimise the mechanical thinking.
Defo goin to take your advice and attempt to visualise the shot i want to play more, and see how i go. Thanks for your help.

Whyner

Good question OP. I actually don't have any. I really like the idea of seeing the shot before you hit it, like the shot tracer on Sky Sports. Something I need to work on.

Max thoughts would be 2

alxmorgan

Whyner wrote: »

Good question OP. I actually don't have any. I really like the idea of seeing the shot before you hit it, like the shot tracer on Sky Sports. Something I need to work on.

Max thoughts would be 2

I like the shot tracer idea - must try that

Ben1977

Normally I try not to think while over the ball. I just like to feel my weight in the balls of my feet.
Try to just think of your target in your minds eye.

When I hit a bad shot I find that i've just had a hundred and one things going on in my head.

alxmorgan

Ben1977 wrote: »

Normally I try not to think while over the ball. I just like to feel my weight in the balls of my feet.
Try to just think of your target in your minds eye.

When I hit a bad shot I find that i've just had a hundred and one things going on in my head.

I find some of my best golf is when I'm scoring terribly and effectively give up. Not caring must mean zero swing thoughts as I couldn't be arsed.

Now if only I could give up from the start. You'd think after all the crap I've played over the years it wouldn't be that hard !!

seanom78

i have 3 swing thoughts after i ensure my setup is good.
1 on my backswing, 1 at transition, 1 on downswing.

1. ( backswing) - ensure i get my left shoulder behind the ball and get my back facing the target. this ensures a good turn from the ball.

2. (transition) - start downswing with a " sitting on stool" movement where u sort of squat down into the shot while moving your weight left. this stops me going over the top.

3. (downswing) - relase my hands and get my left hip out of the way.

charlieIRL

i find that when ove the ball the more i think about my swing to bigger the chance i am going to mess it up! All the bits i was taught in my lesson flood into my head and bang, i think too much and mess it up.

Now, i visualise the shot, stand over the ball, make sure my left arm is straight and my left bicep is tucked into my chest and swing easy!!

Oilbeefhooked!

Thanks all, general concensus seems to be, to strive for the visualisation of the shot we want to play , although i think we all have at least one or two little thoughts pre/during swing even if its just as simple as posture related.
Really goin to work on just relaxing over the ball and trying to see the ball flight - will see how i go! Cheers.
Only problem is the typhoon/hurricane outside stopping me getting out on the course

BigChap1759

Dr Bob Rotella talks about train and trust - what he suggests is do your practice concentrating on technique and drills etc but, once on the course in a competitive round, trust the swing you have on the day and avoid mechanical "swing thoughts".

BUACHAILL

BigChap1759 wrote: »

Dr Bob Rotella talks about train and trust - what he suggests is do your practice concentrating on technique and drills etc but, once on the course in a competitive round, trust the swing you have on the day and avoid mechanical "swing thoughts".

While I fully agree with this as being ideal dr. Bob also works with serious professionals who have 6-8 hrs a day practice time to worry about technique and all other aspects of their game along with a huge natural ability for the game. We mere mortals however if lucky get to practice for an hour twice a week and a game on the weekends. It's just not possible IMO for is to just swing with no thoughts. Well not unless your down to a considerable level. I play off 6 and dream of playing golf with no thoughts over my swing!! I know of I don't really focus on certain things at address/take away and follow through on my driving the ball is likely to go anywhere.

That all said out best golf comes when we think less about consequence and just hit the ball.

If I had more time maybe this would be more natural but for the minute for me it's not possible. I'm sure there are guys who can do it and fair play to them. I think If u have a bad shot in your game like all amateurs and professionals have and you just hit that bad shot. Its only human to get up on the next one an try protect against it happening again that means certain thoughts.

Great game and huge subject to try and cover.

Great thread

foxyboxer

When Faldo was noticing an inconsistent rhythm in his swing, he used the following swing thought.

On his back swing he would say "Sam"
On his downswing through impact he'd say "Snead"

So basically saying "Sam....Snead" in your mind in a metronomic fashion.

Oilbeefhooked!

BUACHAILL wrote: »

While I fully agree with this as being ideal dr. Bob also works with serious professionals who have 6-8 hrs a day practice time to worry about technique and all other aspects of their game along with a huge natural ability for the game. We mere mortals however if lucky get to practice for an hour twice a week and a game on the weekends. It's just not possible IMO for is to just swing with no thoughts. Well not unless your down to a considerable level. I play off 6 and dream of playing golf with no thoughts over my swing!! I know of I don't really focus on certain things at address/take away and follow through on my driving the ball is likely to go anywhere.

Thanks Buachaill, that has really answered my main question :-

ie. In order to progress into becoming a single handicap golfer,do i need to
stop having swing thoughts while over the ball out on the course?
Is it holding me back?

So while it is obviously detrimental to be cluttered with thoughts, its good to know that you have achieved a 6 handicap , while still having
a mechanical thought or 2 while competing. Cheers.

BUACHAILL

I think for my game I through making the same mistakes over and over and having had lessons, I know when i hit a particular shot where I went wrong, not always but generally speaking. If it persists and I feel I am doing what I was shown in my lessons I go back and get more lessons. Only had one yesterday my driving has been awful.

The pro's when they hit a bad shot say a hook, can also very easily play a fade and have a safe go to shot. They hit them every which way and it feels normal as they play so regular and practice so much. After time it becomes a feel and not so much a mechanical thing. This is the big difference. We have one shot and cling to it ha ha when it goes wrong we struggle to fight it.

Mechanical thoughts are not ideal but it doesn't put me off. Other people hate it and cant do it. Thats whats great about the game. More than one way to get the ball in the hole.

Oilbeefhooked!

Extract from Lee Westwoods tips in this month Golf Monthly Magazine :-

"I have swing thoughts that i use,but they change all the time.
It may be something in the takeaway,it may be something in the transistion.It really depends on how im feeling and where im playing.
The point here is to narrow your focus down to 1 or 2 thoughts about
the swing.It is over so quickly that it is impossible to have more than 2
thoughts and carry them out effectively.To be honest, i would say 2
thoughts is probably too many. When i'm playing really well i will have only
one swing thought."


So i guess if the world no. 3 always has at least 1 swing thought ,
then 1 or 2 for us cant be that bad

k.p.h

foxyboxer wrote: »

When Faldo was noticing an inconsistent rhythm in his swing, he used the following swing thought.

On his back swing he would say "Sam"
On his downswing through impact he'd say "Snead"

So basically saying "Sam....Snead" in your mind in a metronomic fashion.

I have been using this method a few months, it's slowly starting to help me find a consistent tempo. I would recommend it but not just for full shots..!! It has worked even better for my putting stroke, stopped the old pokey/snatchy one when under pressure. Definitely sinking a lot more pressure putts and generally getting way better roll because I'm finishing my through stroke properly..

stockdam

I just concentrate on getting through the ball to a full and balanced finish.

At times I'll just think about rhythm and swinging smoothly.

All my other swing thoughts are during setup.

mags1962

Sam Sneed? Thought this was supposed to be Severiano Ballesteros for a smooth and even tempo, not snatchy like samsnead.

staker

My only swing thoughts standing over the ball are the small target I have in my minds eye and to take the club away with my wrists before my arms.
Everything else is just a repeated swing.

Irishvillian

At times I'll just think about rhythm and swinging smoothly.
The above would be the only swing thought I would have.

TheDoc

Two tips I take to every shot

"clubhead to target"

"left shoulder pointing to target"

My pre shot routine I try to keep under ten seconds, but I always check these two , as if they are spot on it is usually a good indication the ball is going were I want it too.

Lad of 3 in the club gave me that tip as a youngfella and ive kept it with me.

UNFORTUNATELY NOT WORKING FOR MY DRIVER LATELY :P

I dont by the "just hit the ball". I think its an old fella thing they say to younger players as if its gained from some magic wisdom and experience. Usally find it from higher handicapped player aswell.

There is nothing wrong with it. But I feel if you want to improve and want to strive to get better you need to know your swing and be in touch wth it. To know the instant you ave hita ba shot and why. And y eed to know the breakdown f your swing. It is what your pre shot routine is for and kinda why you cant copy someone elses.

There is a bloke in our place who chips one handed...h has two arms...he just chips one handed cause the other arm causes him to duff chips. The most annoying factor of it is how everyone says hes the perfect exampe of how too much analysis and thinking ruins your game.

To me it indicates that he couldnt/wasnt arsed finding out why holding with two arms caused problems. Baffles me everytime someone mentions it

heavyballs

TheDoc wrote: »

Two tips I take to every shot

"clubhead to target"

"left shoulder pointing to target"

.

Lad of 3 in the club gave me that tip as a youngfella and ive kept it with me.

UNFORTUNATELY NOT WORKING FOR MY DRIVER LATELY :P

.

well if your shoulder is pointing to the target chances are you're clubface is probably aiming a good 20 yards right,this 'shoulder to the target' thing is terrible advice,same as the old 'keep you're head down',has ruined many a golfer,see them in the driving range all the time.
you should be picking an intermediate target to line you're clubface up to target and then just step in to the shot