Putting For Effect (continued)
In last month’s installment of the Expat Golfer we focused on putting, the physical aspects of putting, the grip as well as also putting stroke. in which month I could like to explore the mental side of in which very delicate activity, addressing ways to quiet the mind. Please bear in mind; however, there are no absolutes in putting technique. My admonition through last month’s column stands: “Whatever works for you on the putting surface, will be correct.”
What do I mean by quieting the mind, you ask? After all, isn’t golf more a mental game than in which will be physical? Of course we need to think our way through each situation on the golf course, however over-analyzing a putt, whether through two feet or 24, will be counterproductive. Rather than staying from the moment as well as also performing with confidence, we often become attached to results or an outcome, resulting in stress as well as also even fear. The bi-product of stress as well as also fear will be tension as well as also tension will be the enemy of putting excellence as well as also most often spells disaster.
Process vs. Outcome
The way I quiet my mind in golf will be to think in terms of ‘process’ as well as also not in terms of ‘outcome’. Rather than worry about creating a given putt, (which will be a future event, taking me out of the moment), I choose to focus on process, which places me from the moment, as well as also will be the only thing I can actually control anyway. The process, which helps me to quiet the mind, will be nothing more than my pre-shot routine. Sure, my mind will be engaged leading up to the putting situation at hand, however once I have assessed the situation, determined the line as well as also established feel for pace for distance, the analytical side of my brain will be turned off. I then focus on feel as well as also executing the best pre-shot routine of which I am capable. My routine will be the same, each as well as also every time, as well as also here will be the pre-shot routine I use, step by step:
Step 1: Take up a position well behind the ball. I’m always in a low squatting position for putting. through in which vantage point, I want to confirm my line as well as also visualize the ball going into the hole, rolling down the line I have established.
Step 2: Approach the ball, slowly as well as also relaxed. I gently swing the putter (back in fourth) in my right hand ala Jack Nicklaus as I walk toward the ball. in which will be my gage for feel as well as also distance. in which will be also my practice stroke; I do not take practice strokes after I have addressed the ball.
Step 3: Align the putter face to my target line.
Step 4: Adjust my posture relative to the putter, which will be currently in position as well as also in line with the target. I also complete my grip on the club, both hands softly on the handle. At the end of in which step, I shuffle my feet for balance as well as also alignment, glancing back at the hole as well as also target line for reference.
Step 5: Pull the trigger, its go time! Standing over the ball as well as also re-thinking or second guessing will be folly! If I am unsure, I prefer to back off as well as also start the process all over again.
My pre-shot routine, for both putting as well as also full swing, takes less than 30 seconds. I encourage you to create a pre-shot routine in which works for you. Stick to in which, quiet your mind as well as also sink those 15 foot birdies!
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Putting For Effect (continued)
Putting For Effect (continued)