HOW TO MASTER€¦ · If you’ve been playing golf for any length of time the chances are your golf swing is good enough. Perfection doesn’t really help that much – you still

HOW TO MASTER YOUR GOLF GAME

The learning steps that allow you to play your best golf, �nd greater meaning

and have the most fun.

by Cameron Strachan and Scott Barrow

copyright 2011

This is my most important product I’ve produced to date. It contains my complete secrets for playing your best golf. It gives you a blueprint on how you can remove frustration, find consistency and play with more enthusiasm. In short, it’s all about learning to master your game.

This information was NOT slapped together in 5 minutes. It has come about after years of study, research and trial and error. It’s essentially my story on what works and what definitely does not work when it comes to golf instruction.

This product contains the video recordings (plus manual) of my first ever Golf Mastery Workshop held at the famous Yarra Yarra Golf Club. I was joined on the day by my good mate, mentor and coach Scott Barrow. Scott is full of insight and learning strategies that can have an immediate and positive effect on your game.

For best results watch the DVDs with manual in hand. Take notes and put your thoughts down.

The second DVD shows you the practical side to the workshop and contains an accompanying section in this manual.

Here’s the secret to learning anything.

Get outside and put the ideas into practice. By all means watch and review the material. But unless you get to the golf course or driving range you’ll never experience success.

If you have any questions about any of the material then please contact me via email at [email protected]

Thanks for your purchase and good golfing,

Cameron Strachan

mailto:[email protected]

2

The stupid golfer

I want to tell you a story about The Stupid Golfer – this guy/girl is very common and maybe you’ve heard of him

3

Wants to play well … really badly

The stupid golfer wants to play well. It’s probably the most important thing for the stupid golfer

4

Tries really hard

The stupid golfer tries really hard at all aspects of their golf game

5

Takes lots of lessons

Typically takes lots of lessons, reads lots of books and does just about anything possible to improve game. Also known to try gadgets and other training aids

6

Thinks about the game - LOTS

A substantial portion of their golf life is taken up by thinking about golf and how they can improve

7

Perfectionist

The stupid golfer wants to have the perfect golf swing. All thoughts are typically about improving golf swing or technique in some way.

8

All about the swing

Usually all about the swing – technique on top of more technique. Does this seem familiar? The golf industry as a whole as fallen into this mindset. It’s fairly dangerous and

doesn’t seem to work too well.

9

Looking good and going low

Looking good, having symmetry and getting positive comments are important. Excuse the photo, but so many golfers are obsessed with looking good we thought it appropriate.

10

Always working on something

11

Who’s this golfer?

12

Me!

13

And maybe you

And most likely you can see yourself in this golfer. We are not trying to be too controversial here, but think it’s important to highlight the fact that many golfers are not

playing their best golf.

14

The problem is ….

15

And it can fail badly. It hardly ever works or it’s really really hard. This approach makes golf way harder than it needs to be.

16

Doesn’t work so well even though…

17

Ben was an excellent golfer at 13 - he once shot 3 under at that age. He steadily improved until he decided to rebuild his game at 16 years of age. He worked hard, really hard but something happened. By 18 he had lost the magic – his game totally ruined by trying

too hard and aiming for perfection. By 20 he couldn’t break 80 and by 25 he had lost his dream of playing professionally. How does this kind of thing happen?

18

Golf improvement is hard because it’s counterintuitive

This approach seems like the right thing to do but it often fails.

19

Work on Swing versus Leave Swing Alone

Working hard on your golf swing is the norm. But what would happen if you left it alone and focused on something else?

Actually write down what you think might happen:

20

Try Hard versus Trying Less

Trying hard is a very Western mindset. Will you play any worse if you stopped trying so hard? Many golfers play better when they take a deep breath and a backward step.

The need to win

“When an archer is shooting for nothingHe has all his skill.

If he shoots for a brass buckleHe is already nervous.

If he shoots for a prized of goldHe goes blind

Or see two targets - He is out of his mind!

His skill has not changed. But the prizeDivides him. He cares.

He thinks more of winningThan of shooting -

And the need to winDrains him of power.”

Chang Tzu ~300BC

21

Focus On Target versus Focus On Nothing

Being obsessive about the target is not always a good thing. Know where your target is but then back off.

We want to be precise, but when this precision causes anxiety, concern about the future, ie. doubt about whether we can get the ball to our target, we need to adjust our target or

explore the cause of our stress (see above slide) or both.

22

Build A Perfect Swing versus Near Enough Is Good Enough

If you’ve been playing golf for any length of time the chances are your golf swing is good enough. Perfection doesn’t really help that much – you still have to play the game. This

highlights the fact that organisms only have to be “near enough” for them to survive. Perfect fitness is not necessary. Your golf swing is similar: the extra effort to produce

perfection is often wasted effort.

Traditional golf teaching has reduced developing your game to a biomechanical pursuit. “Improve your game by improving your swing.” The answer is always technical.

Your golf performance and enjoyment is much more than your swing. The swing is part of something much bigger. It’s a contributing means to an end. No more.

23

Practice Hard versus Practising smart

It’s not always about beating 100’s or 1000’s of golf balls. If you practice smarter then you will get results.

The law of diminshing returns applies here. If you are reading this, we assume you aren’t entirely satisfied with your golf progress or you are curious to see if there is a better

way. The type of training and practice that got you to your current level may not be, and usually isn’t, the training required to go to the next level.

24

Play With Your Head (think) versus Play With Your Heart (don’t think)

Listen to your gut (heart) and you may surprise yourself. Too much thinking typically gets in your way and disrupts the flow.

Thinking should be confined to planning your shot and reflecting after the shot or round. It should be quick, light and helpful. Not heavy, confusing and laborious.

Flow state equals peak performance. Thinking is an almost non existent factor in flow states reported by high performance athletes across all sports and activities. So plan

your shot and then play more with your heart. Another way of saying this is, “just hit the bloody ball in any way that feels good to you”.

25

Quick Fixes versus Long Term Improvement

The quick fix mentality is a game wrecker. It has to do with modern day’s life obsession with instant gratification. Does a quick fix really exist? We don’t think so. The continual

search for something instant is often not worth the effort.

26

Be Good At Everything versus Play to Strengths

Have you tried to improve all aspects of your golf game. How is that working for you? Would you be better to get really good at your best part of your game and then build a

game around that?

Of course glaring weaknesses need to be acknowledged and addressed, but they need to be viewed through the lens of what you’re already good at and doing well. Focus on what is working first and leverage your strengths. The glass half full versus half empty analogy

applies here. Focusing on problems keeps you stuck in problems and finding more of them.

Perfectionism versus What’s good enough to go with?

27

Shoot a Good Score versus Learning From Each Round

Don’t focus so much on the score – yes, score is important but so is learning from each time you play. It’s a never ender process that leads to mastery.

A good score is a byproduct of ongoing learning and when the elements come together. We have much more control of our ability to learn than producing a good score. The key is

being crystal clear on what’s within our control and what isn’t and to act accordingly.

Be absoutely precise on your intention and very accepting of the outcome.

28

Sticking to conventional wisdom led me to …

29

Not understanding this I hit rock bottom. I was frustrated, confused and fed up. Felt like quitting. Now maybe you haven’t reached this low, but it can often feel like it.

30

There were 3!

What did I do to get myself out of the golfing doldrums?

31

1. “The Inner Game of Golf” by Tim Gallwey

If you haven’t read it I encourage you to do so. All about automatic learning and maximising your enjoyment, learning and performance. Make sure you get the updated version – not the original little green book. After reading this book I went onto shoot 14

rounds in a row of par or better. It changed the way I thought about golf forever.

32

2. “Golf Mind” by Masters and Burns

Go to amazon. I rate this book – there’s some great stories and runs a terrific argument for a simpler and more natural approach. It may be hard to find but worth the effort.

33

3. The balls to do something about it

The hardest part was leaving the garbage behind and making the decision to apply what I had learned. Thinking about the problem was not enough – I had to make a conscious

decision to change my attitude when I was out playing.

Will you stand in the wall or hedge your bets? How is your approach working for you? How much longer will you persist with an approach that doesn’t satisfy your goals? What have

you got to lose?

34

IMPORTANT POINT!

35

You can’t read about success

36

You can’t watch it and expect to do well

37

And you certainly can’t think about it and expect results

38

You’ve got to get out there and do it

Getting outside and applying the principles is what counts. Reading, watching and thinking don’t really count. They only matter if they cause you to get outside and put it

into practice.

39

“Secret in the dirt”

Ben Hogan – not about long hours of practice – but get outside and hit the god damn ball! Interestingly, Ben Hogan was known as someone who practised a lot. He did. But he also knew enough about learning and performance to be dangerous. Check out this page for some interesting thoughts on Ben Hogan and practice - http://golfgooroo.com/ben-

hogan-technical-golfer/

40

What does the Sistine Chapel smell like?

The line from the movie Good Will Hunting – a smart bloke thinks he knows everything but hasn’t experienced it. If you haven’t been there you don’t know what the Sistine

Chapel smells like. Friend and mentor Kendal McWade calls his golf lessons a “banana golf lesson”. He kept asking me what a banana tastes like, I really couldn’t answer it, much

easier to just eat one. His golf lessons are similar – he gets pupils to explore golf by hitting an array of shots, not thinking too much about it.

41

You don’t know unless you’ve been there

And it doesn’t matter how much you think you know are or how talented you are – you have to do it.

42

The same with golf

43

You don’t know anything unless you “go there”

We often imagine that playing dream golf will be where everything is perfect. Perfect preparation, perfect location, perfect weather, perfect swing, perfect course

management, perfect recognition from others and even a perfect church choir singing “Hallelujah!!!!”

44

It could be here

In actual fact, our peak performances and most satisfying experiences are when we are present with what is. Totally immersed in the now. This is where our concept of great golf fades away and we’re left with the simple act of playing golf. Full attention on hitting the

ball and getting it in the hole.

Nothing else matters, and this is where the immense satisfaction can come through either performance or enjoyment, or both. It’s hard to describe the feelings associated with

“playing the game”. Refer to earlier slide.

45

Or here …

Yes the “dream” can actually show up in a very non-glamourous fashion. But when you allow yourself the chance of this happening, you don’t care. It is perfect as it is.

The joy is in the act of playing the game of golf. Nothing more, nothing less.

46

But you’ve gotta get outside and start hitting the ball – it could be on the carpet at home or in the backyard. Anytime you can lose yourself in the art of hitting the ball you are

going to be learning, having fun and getting better.

47

Big problem

48

Actually 2!

49

1. “going there” feels really bad

Business and life – a human habit – not just golf. Learning to let go is like losing your security blanket. So we hold on for dear life to our beliefs and regular way of doing things.

Also, following the norm leaves little chance for others to criticise, so this feels safe.

50

2. So it’s easier to stay put

Doing nothing is playing safe.

51

So we tend to stay where we are

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” Anthony Robbins

52

Brain will resist change at every opportunity

53

But it’s not your real brain that’s resisting

54

Lizard brain

Little brain. The reptilian part of the brain that is solely focused on survival. It doesn’t want you to hurt yourself.

55

And I call him Pesky

56

But he doesn’t really matter

Even though you might think he is important he isn’t.

57

Because Pesky isn’t real and has no hold over you – if you don’t let him

Many golfers give me this look when I tell them that they can play better golf without thinking, worrying and bothering with their golf swing.

58

He thinks he is protecting you …

59

… from Dinosaurs, Bears and Cavemen

60

But he has no positive contribution to your golf game because …

61

… golf isn’t about survival

It’s about enjoyment, challenge, learning, achievement and growing. We can’t hurt ourselves on the golf course.

62

Any fear or danger is perceived

63

It’s not real – so what are you afraid of?

64

Better golf requires a mindset shift …

65

… and the guts to stick to it …

66

… through thick and thin

Golf improvement is not an instant thing. As much as we’d like to have instantaneous improvement – it’s not reality.

67

Part 2

Shifting towards golfing mastery

The good bit

68

You are a learning machine

• You posses the necessary skill and talent to play better golf RIGHT NOW

• You know more about your golf game than ANYONE ELSE

• Respect your learning system and you WILL get better

When I realised I had the power and control inside me to play better golf the game became far easier and simple. I no longer had to look beyond myself. Playing the game in

a way that felt good to me allowed me to play better than I ever thought possible.

69

The Golf Swing is only part of puzzle

• It’s not the complete game – only part of it• The game is about “playing” or “play”• The golf industry has an obsession with golf swing

and tips – why might that be?• They do not understand learning

I’m over the golf swing mindset. We’ve gone over this a few times by now but it’s important to understand.

70

Awareness is CRITICAL

• Golfers are blind or asleep• Awareness leads to fun and performance

Can you feel your golf swing? Can you really feel it?What about your emotions and feelings? What’s going on when you play golf?

What are you scared of? What makes you feel good?

Learn to wake up and the game will change for you.

71

What do you want to achieve? (important)

• Score?• Long drives?• Win?

The typical stuff like good scores, longer drives and winning usually are beyond our control.

72

These are typical but lacking real meaning. They also depend on luck – you don’t always have full control

73

So what do you have control of?

74

Playing the game is what’s it’s all about

• The experience• The enjoyment• The learning

Default pattern for me is playing the game these days. It never used to be. If I ever start playing poorly or not enjoying any aspect of the day, I revert back to playing the game

and hitting the ball.

75

Fully immersing in this approach …

76

… leads to better performance and scores as a by-product

This is important – learning to play well without having to think about it is a game changer

77

When you have learning, enjoyment and awareness you’ll get performance. It might not always be your best score but it is most likely better than the alternative.

78

Part 3

This is what I do. It’s not meant to be a roadmap for you. Please feel free to add your own unique style – chances are you can improve on my way even further.

79

4 phases

PlanningAction

ReflectionWalking

80

Planning

My intention?

Where do I want the ball to go?

What club do I need?

What’s the simplest and easiest shot I can hit?

I call this “Einsteining” and I do this before every shot. Without this thinking phase golf would become a hit and hope affair.

81

Planning

There’s a time to think and a time to play. Some critics of this system believe there is not enough time to think and analyse. They’re wrong – you can do as much thinking/

analysing as you like behind the ball. The only catch is it shouldn’t affect your ability to play the game.

82

Action

• Go for it• Stop thinking – hit the ball• Go automatic

Nothing more you can do. Either you’ve got the guts to hit the shot you’ve chosen or you don’t. There’s no in between. Now is the time to hit the ball.

83

Reflection/Acceptance

• Where did the ball go? - Deal with reality

• What did I learn?• Will I do anything different?• Move on and repeat

Reflection is not analysing as you probably do now. Where did the ball go is reality. Trying to figure out why the ball went in the trees is most likely not going to help you.

84

Walking

• Between all this stuff is walking!• Walking on lovely grass• Put it all in perspective!

Smell the roses.Talk to you playing partners. Can you learn anything interesting?

Remind yourself that it’s better than working

85

Important point: You are not a bad person if you hit a bad shot

You are not your golf result. Either good or bad. Don’t let performance affect who you really are.

86

Opposite true as well

Some of us get in our own way when we have success – it is what it is.

87

Have a clear intention, “Do it” attitude and acceptance of result

You’re always in the present. Not too much time in the past or future. The present is where the game should be played. Past and future tend to mess us up.

88

Part 4

Practice

I’m not a massive fan of the practice fairway but the following guidelines apply.

89

1. Get a little bit better each time you turn up

You don’t have to try here – just about all practice is better than none. But the more fun you make it the better your chances. Here’s a good example of a guy that knows how to

practice well - http://golfgooroo.com/bubba-watson-on-playing-golf/

90

2. Improvement isn’t always obvious or measurable

So don’t analyse too much. You don’t really need to know that your swing has improved by 5%. It’s not going to help you. Enjoy what you’re doing and give it your full attention.

Ball beating is not practice.

91

3. Is it fun?

If it’s boring or you don’t enjoy it then you should be doing something else. Fun might not be the best word. If you’re interested in seeing someone who knows how to practice, then

check this out - http://golfgooroo.com/bubba-watson-on-playing-golf/

92

4. Are you playing the game?

This is the bottom line. The game is about hitting the ball into the hole. It doesn’t need to get much more complicated than that. When you get away from hitting the ball you will let interference disrupt the process. Playing the game day in and day out is the best form

of practice.

93

5. It isn’t all about technique

This picture highlights traditional concept.

Perfect stanceIdeal ball position

Etc

It’s all very stale. Hit shots and explore different options.

94

6. Technique happens when you play the game

This is getting back to the counterintuitive thing again. When you leave technique alone it will get better. You don’t need to always be thinking about it. It almost amazes me that very few teachers talk about the fact that your technique will improve when you play the

game. It hardly ever works the other way around.

95

How would you really like to hit the ball? Why aren’t you doing it?

How far can you hit a 7 iron?How short can you hit a driver?

96

Can you play left handed, one hand, different clubs (5 iron out of a bunker)? There is no limitations as to what you can do with the 14 clubs.

97

Because there is no right or wrong

There’s not enough of this these days. Most of us are stuck in first gear. Get outside and hit the ball in a way that feels good to you.

98

Part 5

My Story

Not about me but I want to give you an insight into my game and story,

99

Early Success!

Learnt quickly, single figure handicap, shot par in 8 months, won a lot but didn’t really know what I was doing.

100

Hopeless

Then lost the plot. Was trying too hard for sure.

101

Frustrated and annoyed

And the harder I tried the worse I became.

102

Enough was enough

We all reach a point in the crossroads. I nearly walked away from the game.

103

At the bottom

Shot in the 90’s – finished last in the event and thought I would never hit a good shot ever again.

104

What could I do?

What I was doing wasn’t working. There had to be a better way.

105

Started playing and having fun

Back to what I did at the start – more awareness and trust. Emptiness of approach to succeed. Stopped taking lessons and went back to hitting the ball

106

Hit the ball the way I wanted

107

Draw and Fade

I fade the driver from the tee (because it feels good) and I draw my other shots because it feels just as good. I break some rules here and don’t care about the course designer or

what other players say or think. It’s about me.

108

Seems stupid but it works for me

This style is unique to me. Because it’s my game it’s all good.

109

Except I sometimes get a little distracted. It’s not foolproof. I can still play badly but I’m not fussed. I play well more of the time and rarely have those horrible days were nothing

goes right.

110

Here’s one of my favourite stories….

111

Get outside and start hitting the ball. Forget about your golf swing for a bit and start playing the game. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Cameron and Scott

by Cameron Strachan and Scott BarrowHow To Master Your Golf Game

Section 2 – Practical ApplicationThis section is the written version of DVD #2. Watch the DVD and refer to this part for more information and learning drills. I can’t stress how important this section is.

Awareness:

Awareness is critical for golf improvement and success. When you’re aware what is going on you’re awake and in the ideal state for learning. Unfortunately most golfers are asleep and really have no idea what is going on – they are closed off to all sorts of possibilities including, learning something new, experiencing “remarkable” or just playing close to their potential. When you’re awake here’s just some of what’s possible;

• In an ideal state to learn

• Feel your swing and make corrections mid-swing and overcome faults

• Get your emotions under control and become mentally strong

• Keep your mind in the moment and avoid distractions

• This is just the tip of the iceberg

So how do you improve your awareness?

You need to wake up and start feeling, seeing and listening to your surroundings. It really is as simple as that. I should add that it’s a simple in theory but can become quite difficult when the pressure is on and you have a scorecard in your pocket. When you can be aware of what is happening right now (the ideal mindset) then you will find it really hard to get nervous, panic, choke, stuff up and hit bad shots.

Here’s some awareness drills you can do away from the course to start awakening your senses and getting into the right frame of mind. It’s always a good idea to start away from the course where you can give these drills your full attention.

copyright 2011

Feel your swing

Hit some balls and see if you can feel your swing. Start general and get an overall feeling of what is happening in your swing. Please note: Awareness is not thinking, you are not trying to think about what is happening or what you should be doing or even working out if things are good or bad. You’re non judgmental and are simply feeling your swing.

So hit some balls and feel your swing. As you do this more and more you may find a body part that gives you the best feelings or feedback. When this happens place your focus there. For many this will be the first time that you’ve actually felt your swing in a non-judgmental way. You are not thinking, but simply in the moment and feeling what is going on.

The better you get the more specific you can be with what you’re feeling. For example, you may focus on a very specific part of your body, like your finger or elbow. Here’s some body parts you may want to become more aware of.

• Head

• Hands

• Index finger of right hand (trailing hand)

• Arms (especially the upper arms)

• Hips

There is no right or wrong here. It’s up to you and you can focus on whatever gets your attention or interest.

An amazing awareness exercise for fixing your swing

This lesson might appear too easy or even unbelievable to you. But I dare you to give it a go. Because it certainly does work, despite how easy it appears to be. Here we go.

Let’s say that you swing too quickly – at least that is what you’ve been told. Normally, you’d make some swings and consciously try and slow down. Now this all seems pretty normal and the right thing to do but it’s actually really hard to do. Because how much slower should you swing? How do you know when it’s right? You can’t. Plus, conscious control is almost impossible to pull off anyway.

If you take this sort of thing to the golf course you’d be in all sorts of trouble. And this is why so many golfers always struggle with their game. They are constantly trying to


manually control/fix/improve their swing. But it doesn’t work. Here’s a better way.

Instead of trying for control, become aware of your swing. In particular, feel the speed of your swing. Remember, your are just feeling the swing. You are not trying for control or trying to swing slower. You can take this a step further by giving each swing a rating. For example, you’d give a swing that feels really fast a 10/10 or a really slow swing a 1/10. What’s important here is not how you swing, but rather, if you can feel your swing and give each a rating.

As mentioned earlier, most golfers are asleep and have never done this kind of thing. But this is where it gets interesting.

By placing awareness on your swing it will improve without you thinking about it. It’s true. If your swing is really quick and awkward, by playing this little awareness game it will slow down naturally. You don’t even have to think about it. Awareness is the winner here. By increasing awareness you need to feel the swing. And this is what fixes your swing. It’s simply brilliant.

And you can take this further.

When you start to feel your swing go off, or you start hitting the ball badly, come back to awareness. What can you feel? Is there tension anywhere in your body? What part of your body is giving you the greatest feeling/awareness?

Doing this will help solve any swing issues. And the best part is you’re doing this naturally and without any outside influence. You’re 100% in charge and in control. There might not be an easier and better way to fix your swing and get your swing back.

But remember. Awareness is not analysing or thinking. Just feel what is there without judgment. It’s not hard to do and will have a profound impact on your game.

Exploring and Creating

This is one of my favourite lessons to give. There’s a few reasons but the two most important reasons are,

1. You start to think of golf as a game. You’re not thinking technique and formula – but you’re playing the game.

2. You realise that you’ve got talent and skill in spades.

copyright 2011

Here’s the deal.

Head to the practice fairway with some balls and a few clubs. This is not about long driving or hitting two-irons over the back fence. It’s about exploring the art of the possible and really working out what you’re capable of doing. So I want you to try the following shots.

There’s no particular order or importance. There’s also no right or wrong. This is about performing and getting into the arena. You can’t read and think about this and be successful. You’ve got to get outside and do it.

1. Hit a seven iron as high as you can

2. Play a big draw with your middle iron

3. Play a slice with the same club

4. Hit the ball low

5. Anything you can think of.

Now I’m going to bet that first time out you’re not even going to be close to your potential. Most people are closed minded to how good you can really be. So let go and give it a serious go. You may surprise yourself at how well you can actually hit the ball. The bottom line is you want to push your boundaries and see how far you can really go. You might just learn something along the way.

Your routine

Getting a solid routine is essential for playing great golf. And a point that’s almost always overlooked by traditional instruction is the fact that the routine has two distinct parts.

Part one is the physical side of things. What you actually do with your body to get ready to whack the ball.

Part 2 is your mental routine. What you think about and your strategy.

You need both parts working together to be successful. Don’t just focus on the physical, the mental part of your routine is just as important.


Lesson #1 – Target

You always need to choose a target on each shot. There is no exception to this rule. If you get lazy and/or distracted and you stop picking a target your golf will always be inconsistent. Here are some guidelines,

You need to be specific without going overboard. Choose a smallish target

I don’t recommend getting too specific i.e. the blade of grass at the 100 metre mark

Choose your target first – this will help in deciding on the club to use

A good tip is you should be able to remember each target you chose throughout the round. If you can’t remember your target when you’re having a beer after the round (even on the 1st hole) you probably are not focused enough. That, or your are not awake. You could be playing golf blindly so it could be a wake up call to focus on some of the awareness exercises in this module.

Another point: While this is not a hard and fast rule, it can help you maximise your chances of shooting your best score. And that’s choose a fairly conservative target, both from the tee and into the green. While it may be more fun to go for the hero shot (if you happen to pull it off), a conservative strategy helps you avoid disaster holes and keeps the stress levels down. If you keep going for the impossible shot, you’ll always be playing on the edge.

Further. I know a good friend who always plays purely for fun. So he goes for every shot. His scoring and play is inconsistent – probably the most inconsistent player I’ve ever met. But he doesn’t care, he’s not fussed if he wins or comes last. So unless you can play purely for fun (I haven’t met many who can), you should consider a more conservative approach over aggressive.

copyright 2011

Lesson #2: Thinking

You must do all your thinking behind the ball. Too many golfers think and choose over the ball. You’ve got to break this habit by doing all the planning and preparation behind the ball. It’s far too late to be thinking and deciding what you’re going to do when you get to the golf ball. This MUST be done before you start walking towards the ball.

I promise if you can do nothing other than being clear on your intention prior to walking towards the ball, your scores and game will improve. Here is a list of things you must do first (you can’t do these over the ball),

• Checking your scorecard

• Having a practice swing

• Working out the club and distance

• Rehearsing the swing

• Performing a swing drill

Another point: If you do need to do some extra thinking or you find your mind wandering, then back off and start the process again.


Lesson #3 – Walk to the ball

This part is essential. The walk to the ball allows you to phase out of conscious control and phase into automatic. A big part of this is having your eyes focused on the ball (not the target). This helps you avoid getting distracted by the target, the trouble or playing partners. I have found that by being focused on or around the ball, you are getting yourself into your own little bubble. From here it’s much harder to get distracted – you’re most likely going to be in the moment. In the NOW! This is ideal.

• Keep your eyes focused on the ball

• Walk in your natural style – don’t be slow or fast – your normal pace is just fine

• You’re not thinking about your swing or target

• Keep your mind in the “now” or the “present”

I have been teaching golfers who a while now to count or sing in their head while walking to the ball. This is a great way to keep your conscious mind occupied while your subconscious is able to do what it does best – hitting the silly ball. If counting or singing doesn’t rock your world you can feel your body, listen for noise (can you hear your swing? What about impact?) or even keep your mind busy with what you see (can you see yourself hitting the ball?).

copyright 2011

Lesson #4 – Getting Set

Another key aspect of maximizing your chances of better play is getting set first, and then worrying about (looking at) the target second. A key part of this is getting 100% ready and set before looking at the target. This helps to ensure you’re in the correct frame of mind and bullet-proof from any nasty distractions. Too many golfers are easily distracted just prior to hitting the ball. This is not good enough.

You need to be committed and have the goal of giving your routine your fullest attention. If you’re serious about your golf, then this will be something you’ll work on. There is plenty of time between shots for talking, thinking and stuffing about. Don’t do this while you’re in your pre-shot routine.


Lesson #5 – Peeping at the Target

If you feel the need you can take a quick look at the target. This is used as a last chance to ensure all is good. If you look up and don’t feel comfortable or your alignment doesn’t feel right, you can start over again. This is not the time to over think the situation – keep your mind calm. I see this as your final check. Take a quick glance and then go. If things feel a little off or not quite right, then you can back off and start again.

Another point: If you do need to start over then go back to the beginning. Don’t get lazy and halfhearted. You can even put the club back into the bag and start again. This will seem like you’re being really slow and a pain. But in actual fact, you’ll play much more quickly because you’ll have less shots. Plus, in time, you’ll get better and better at avoiding distractions – so you’ll have less of them.

Another point. Sometimes I don’t look up at the target. Once I’m ready I just hit the ball. This is particularly useful when I’m after a big drive and don’t want any distractions from the target. Get set and then go whack! This takes a little practice and trust but really does work. You may even surprise yourself at how good you can play when you don’t look up.

copyright 2011

Lesson #6 – Get ready

You’re almost ready to hit the ball. Use this moment to get centered and get comfortable. Comfort is the main consideration here – you are not thinking about your swing or technique.


Lesson #7 – Hit the ball

You can now hit the ball. And you’re going to do so with a clear mind – there’s no need to get in your own way by thinking about technique or some swing thought. Keep your mind clear and you’ll do far better. This entire process should not take too long – you should find yourself not only playing better, but much more quickly than normal.

copyright 2011

Lesson #8

You've just hit the ball. What now?

Essentially the next bit is about learning from what just happened in the shot you hit, and to be able to incorporate it into the next one or future shots. This is where the “shot playing cycle” comes full circle. We include not only the physical act of hitting the ball but also the whole routine from when we walk up to the ball to when we walk off to the next shot.

This process happens in the form of a series of questions and answers you ask yourself, where the questions are enquiry-based and the answers are more observational than judgemental.

Key Elements• What happened?

• How did it feel?

• What do I take away from this?

• What will I do now?

Again, this isn't the time to analyse, improve or learn about technique, but more about:

1. What actually happened?

This first question is the most basic and pure: What was the result? How did I go in relation to my intention? Did the ball go where I wanted it to go? Yes or no?

Related to this are the result determining factors of impact and ball flight: How was the ball flight? How did the ball strike feel off the club?

You can also ask yourself: What did I do well? What could I improve? Rather than: What did I do wrong?

2. Do I intervene with my game or just keep playing?

Just because you've identified some aspects that could change doesn't mean you automatically need to make a conscious panning adjustment. Sometimes we just need to go again. We do everything right and we still don't get the result we were after.


The point is that it isn't automatic that we make adjustments every time we identify something that could change. We need our wisest, calmest minds here.

3. What could I do differently?

If you've decided to make an adjustment or are contemplating it, assess your options. Generate possibilities on what you could do.

4. Will I do anything differently?

From your options, decide whether to go through with one or not. Sometimes if we have a good option we take it, even when we don't feel the need, and sometimes we want to change something but can't come up with a good option, and so keep things the same. Either way make the decision.

5. And lastly, How will I make the intervention /adjustment happen with as little effort and thinking as possible?

Also known in coaching as a “cue”, it’s one thing to know what to do buts it’s another to be able to integrate the idea into a plan that can be executed at the subconscious level that all skilled movement occurs at. Here, thoughts within the movement skill will not help, but certain emotions (at a deeper level) or body-based feelings are effective. How small can the adjustment be in your mind, but still be affective?

Is it a word, an image, a feeling, a song, an emotion, or a memory? Whatever it is, it needs to be a very simple, minimal cue that takes as little of you attention as possible. You want to be able to program the idea in the planning or Einsteining phase and then, again, just go and hit the ball. Afterwards you want to know whether your adjustment was effective.

copyright 2011

Summary

So in summary the key elements are:• What happened?

• How did it feel?

• What do I take away from this?

Its also important to remember, once developed, this entire process only needs to take a few seconds after the shot to derive huge benefits. That leaves you a couple of minutes to walk and enjoy the beautiful surrounds!


Bonus Section:

You have to repeat the process for every shot you play. The physical side of things may change with different shots. You may not take a practice swing with a driver, but will feel the need with a funny little pitch shot over a bunker. But your intention for every shot needs to be clear.

Please note: A clear intention doesn’t need to be complicated. Don’t fall for the mistake of getting yourself tied in knots by over complicating the situation.

For example. When hitting from the tee, getting the ball between the trees is almost always good enough. You may be aiming at a tree in the distance, but you should be happy with the ball finishing in play. The same goes for iron play – feel free to aim at the pin, but be happy with the ball on the green. Don’t get too concerned with hitting the target. My mate and good friend Scott Barrow says,

“Be 100% clear on your intention but also 100% accepting of the result”

It’s good advice that is hard to beat.

Summary

Your goal here is to play as naturally and as automatically as possible. My strong advice is to follow the above routine for a minimum of three rounds. This is enough time for you to experience something “remarkable” and allow your system to adjust to this “carefree” and fun way of playing golf.

If you’ve been playing golf for a long time with lots of thought and analysis, it will take a little while for you to get comfortable with this approach. Please stick with it, it’s worth the effort.

What’s remarkable?

It could be your best ever nine holes. Or a series of good shots. Perhaps the best shot you’ve ever hit. Maybe just some consistency that’s been lacking for some time. A realisation that you’re out of a rut and having more fun.

copyright 2011

Remarkable has to be your definition and not mine. But I’m almost certain that if you stick with the process you’ll be able to report back to me with your own version of remarkable golf.

The Hot Seat

This was something that I have always wanted to do. Put the participants through a simulated shot from the first tee.

One of the biggest issues golfers have is learning to take their game from the practice ground to the first tee. The is because we typically don’t approach the golf course in the same way.

We try too hard.

We think too much.

We don’t let go.

But if you can follow the steps outlined above not only will you bypass nerves and fear on the golf course, you’ll play much better.

Your subconscious will take over and hit the ball the only way it knows how.

So learning to play your best golf under pressure is no harder than learning to get out of your own way. Learn to feel you swing and be aware of what is happening, but don’t think too much and fight for control.

I know this sounds easy to do but it’s one of the most important things you’ll ever learn to do. It’s the easiest and fastest way to playing your best golf.

If you have any questions please direct them to [email protected]

The best thing to do now is get outside and start playing the game. Have some fun with it and you’ll be on your way to experiencing Remarkable Golf.

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

HOW TO MASTER€¦ · If you’ve been playing golf for any length of time the chances are your golf swing is good enough. Perfection doesn’t really help that much – you still