Advice on how to “play golf” vs “golf swing”

[naval2006]

 

 

> @MaineMariner said:

 

> when I'm standing behind my ball I take two practice swings. They aren't even real swings, really, but quick half swings, but I'm thinking pretty deeply about a couple swing thoughts that I know I need to have.

>

> Then, without hesitation, I step up to the ball, assume my stance, and immediately begin my swing. During my real swing, I'm probably thinking ONE thing, usually my hip movement or balance, because I need to think of something. This immediate meaningful practice swing to real swing is the best way for me to get my muscle memory to work for me.

 

Well that's pretty much me playing golf, especially the swing thoughts prior to hitting and after I have already figured out the shot and target. And most interestingly the ONE rudimentary thought I need for my swing, which is either take it back slow or feel the left arm parallel to the ground or go THROUGH the ball to a full finish. I haven't had a mechanical thought while playing for like 20 years know, which is usually of great help except the days your swing is out of everything and you need something to hold onto.

 

 

 

[LeftDaddy]

One other “problem” for me is that I’ve probably catalogued about 40 swing thoughts over the years that worked at one point or another. So when things start going poorly, I start working through the catalogue. I usually find it around the 16th hole and leave convinced that “next time” I’ll do that from the first tee. Of course, by the time I get to play again, the swing thought no longer works. What an insane pursuit golf is!!!

[MelloYello]

> @LeftDaddy said:

> One other “problem” for me is that I’ve probably catalogued about 40 swing thoughts over the years that worked at one point or another. So when things start going poorly, I start working through the catalogue. I usually find it around the 16th hole and leave convinced that “next time” I’ll do that from the first tee. Of course, by the time I get to play again, the swing thought no longer works. What an insane pursuit golf is!!!

 

Keep in mind that swing _thoughts_ aren't actually swing _fixes_. Heck, swing thoughts can be pretty darn random. They're ghostly sort of things that really shouldn't mean anything to us. Use one while it works but don't expect it to to readily provide a workable outcome.

 

Sounds like you're reading golf magazines or something and have yet to really put it all together. If you actually have a technique you can trust, you don't really have much in the way of swing thoughts, per se. If you asked what I'm thinking over a chip for instance, it isn't really anything, maybe just a little something in the hands.

 

Bigger swings may require some particular thought but you really seem to be over-doing it. You sound like a golfer that'd actually benefit from having a couple beers.

[mfm22]

There's a lot of time to think between shots ... considering next target and all the parameters to hit it are productive thoughts - mostly external stuff .

The problem can be being caught up in negative internal thoughts - Fear of poor performance etc. Anything that keeps you loose and positive is good .

I try to find a 'feel " instead of a mechanical thought when possible , smooth tempo or ' turn- turn - something simple but actually ties a few mechanical mov'ts together without actually focusing on any one in particular .

 

[juststeve]

> @LeftDaddy said:

> One other “problem” for me is that I’ve probably catalogued about 40 swing thoughts over the years that worked at one point or another. So when things start going poorly, I start working through the catalogue. I usually find it around the 16th hole and leave convinced that “next time” I’ll do that from the first tee. Of course, by the time I get to play again, the swing thought no longer works. What an insane pursuit golf is!!!

 

I have a lot of swing thoughts in the catalogue as well, but I find the thought of the day in the practice tee when UI warm up. Once on the course I juswt play with what I have. The search is over.

 

Steve

[LeftDaddy]

> @MelloYello said:

> > @LeftDaddy said:

> > One other “problem” for me is that I’ve probably catalogued about 40 swing thoughts over the years that worked at one point or another. So when things start going poorly, I start working through the catalogue. I usually find it around the 16th hole and leave convinced that “next time” I’ll do that from the first tee. Of course, by the time I get to play again, the swing thought no longer works. What an insane pursuit golf is!!!

>

> Keep in mind that swing _thoughts_ aren't actually swing _fixes_. Heck, swing thoughts can be pretty darn random. They're ghostly sort of things that really shouldn't mean anything to us. Use one while it works but don't expect it to to readily provide a workable outcome.

>

> Sounds like you're reading golf magazines or something and have yet to really put it all together. If you actually have a technique you can trust, you don't really have much in the way of swing thoughts, per se. If you asked what I'm thinking over a chip for instance, it isn't really anything, maybe just a little something in the hands.

>

> Bigger swings may require some particular thought but you really seem to be over-doing it. You sound like a golfer that'd actually benefit from having a couple beers.

 

I tried the beer approach a couple of times and it was awful. Way worse than usual.

 

I’m just realizing lately that the “answer” for me does not lie in swing thoughts or fixes or whatever. I have a much better swing than my recent results would indicate, and I think the way to get away from this cycle of playing terrible unless I find the right swing thought for the day is to go “swingthoughtless” and instead focus on the shot and the feel of the shot.

 

 

[Obee]

> @LeftDaddy said:

> I’ve heard many on here say that when you are on the course, you need to play the shot on front of you...not play golf swing.

>

> That makes sense to me, but I’ve never had it work before. If I’m not at least somewhat focused on a swing thought, I’ll naturally move into my swing faults and hit crappy shots.

>

> But lately I’ve been working on some swing changes and at the range it all looks pretty darn good. But on the course, standing over the ball, I have about 5 swing thoughts and I’m playing the worst golf I’ve played in years. I have glimmers of hope with some really good shots mixed in, but I’m generally hitting it all over the planet.

>

> So how do those of you that have it somewhat figured out “play golf” vs “golf swing”? Do you have any swing thoughts? Do you think about swing thoughts with your practice swings but not over the ball? Do you just relax over the ball and make an easy swing? What’s the secret to this? I would appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

What kind of player are you, handicap-wise?

[Birdie Mac]

> @mfm22 said:

> There's a lot of time to think between shots ... considering next target and all the parameters to hit it are productive thoughts - mostly external stuff .

> The problem can be being caught up in negative internal thoughts - Fear of poor performance etc. Anything that keeps you loose and positive is good .

> I try to find a 'feel " instead of a mechanical thought when possible , smooth tempo or ' turn- turn - something simple but actually ties a few mechanical mov'ts together without actually focusing on any one in particular .

>

I like this. Makes a great deal of sense.

 

 

[Itsjustagame]

I rarely go the range and I have no idea what my swing positions are. I haven't seen my swing on video in at least 20 years. If my grip, stance and alignment are correct it will result in a decent shot. I do take a small practice swing to get a feel for what I am trying to do- maybe waist high back to waist high through. Hit it, go get it and hit it again.

[LeftDaddy]

Update:

 

To answer a question above, I’m a 9 handicap but I honestly would struggle to break 90 right now. But only have 3 recent rounds posted (all above 90, but none have overwritten a great old score yet so index has only gone up 0.5 stroke).

 

I attempted to play a round today again with the “no swing thought” philosophy. I also did it on the range to practice it. I was practically perfect on the range. I hit every shot shape I attempted, hit every shot solid, hit very close to every target. I was pretty excited about playing. I should have known better.

 

I didn’t get to finish due to rain. I got absolutely soaked through about 12 holes. But I started triple-triple-double. It was honestly just plain comical. The very first tee shot was a duck hook OB. The next tee shot was a dribbler that went about 10 yards. I considered giving up on “playing golf “ instead of “golf swing “. Anyway, I did start to improve about the 6th hole. Started to look like a golfer again. And it actually started to feel effortless again.

 

I think it is one of those things that is just going to take time to learn how to apply on the course. I need to learn to relax more, and get more “tuned in” to just hitting the shots I need to hit. It started to work a few holes in for both of the rounds I’ve attempted it in, but did take 3-6 holes. I think I will ultimately like it...still learning!

 

 

[LeftDaddy]

Another update:

 

I’ve been reading the Golf Practice Plan book recommended earlier. It gives a ton of valuable insight on this very topic. It isn’t the most well written book and can feel a little “pop sciencey”, but I still highly recommend it. It has already helped me in thinking about “golf swing” or “play golf”.

 

I had my first match on Sunday in my club’s match play tournament. I had very low expectations going in. I fully expected it to be over through about 13-15 holes. I decided pre-round (based on some of what I read in the book) to clear my head of all the different swing thoughts and find one “key” to focus on in the match. And at the range prior to the round, I found a little “swing thought” that was helpful. Anyway, oddly once the round started I just didn’t have that much going on in the way of “focus” or determination or whatever. I just picked my shot, took one practice swing, and stood over the ball only concerned with my one “key” which is to hit from behind the ball with hips turned. I then pulled the trigger and hit. It wasn’t perfect at all. I sprayed my driver a little bit. But I never got in any big trouble, and I hit some really incredible shots when I absolutely had to in order to close out a hole / the match. I won!!! Lol...so much for the power of positive thinking. I couldn’t have been more “negative” about my chances going in, BUT, that had the effect of making me calm and not really worried about the outcome. I shot 83, which is basically on handicap for my course due to rating, although he definitely gave me some putts that I could have missed. I won 1Up with a laser into the 18th green.

 

Since that match, I’ve read more of the book and have found some things I did wrong, but found some stuff I did right. I hope to combine the improvement in technique I’m working on with an improvement in mental approach. If I can do that like what I think is possible, watch out!