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Golf Tips: Addressing the Ball

September 10th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks

One of the biggest problems for many golfers comes when it is time to address the ball. There are so many things that can go wrong, that it is all too easy to lose your focus and end up spoiling your shot because your mental game is a mess. Here are some great tips to help you address the ball, get rid of these worries and have a more enjoyable round of golf.

1. Put it into perspective.

Instead of stressing about whether you are going to hook or slice it, just focus on hitting the ball and cross the next bridge when you get to it. Nine times out of ten, simply by thinking about doing something wrong, you subconsciously do it anyway. Adopt a “who cares” attitude about your shot, and you may find that your accuracy improves and you no longer even have an issue with hooking or slicing.

2. Get your feet straight.

Your feet and as such, the direction of your hips are a big component of your stance and the way that you address the ball. Take a few seconds to make sure that your feet are lined up properly and that your hips are facing forward. It shouldn’t take long to get into a rhythm where your stance becomes automatic. Once again, don’t over think it. Just set your feet and move on.

3. Get a grip.

Having the proper grip on your club will also have a huge impact on the way that you swing. As you are addressing the ball, take a second to make sure that your grip is right. The key is not to stress on the point, but just make a quick mental note to fix your grip. After a few tries, you’ll find that it is much easier to go up to the ball and immediately find the perfect grip.

4. Walk away.

If the shot doesn’t feel right, don’t take it. Walk away for a minute and do a practice swing. This may be a little tough if the speed of play if very fast, but most people will understand if you want to get the shot right. Sometimes, if the feel is just wrong, the only way to salvage that shot is to fix it before you take it. Walking away can help you clear your mind and you can “start over” when you address the ball again.

5. Let go.

At the end of the day, this is a game, and it is supposed to be fun. Don’t get all wrung out about your score and try to remember that each hole is just another opportunity to get better. By getting the right mental game, you’ll notice that your real game will automatically improve. It takes time to develop skills and no one becomes a championship level golfer over night.

Practice is essential, but when it comes down to it, golfing should be a relaxing but challenging sport. Don’t let it get the best of you.

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3 Tips for Getting Mentally Prepared to Play Golf

July 15th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks

golf The old saying is definitely true. Golf is 99% in your head and as maddening as that is, if you're not getting the right mindset for your game, you may never be able to achieve your goals. If you're ready to get that score to where you want it to be, you've got to start working out your brain as well as your body. Here are some tips to help you get mentally prepared to play golf.

1. Stop all self defeating thoughts.

Most of us will, from time to time, be a little hard on ourselves mentally. If you're constantly beating yourself up however, you are just setting yourself up for failure. Anytime you catch yourself with a negative thought related to how you play golf (or anything else for that matter) you've got to nip it in the bud. Replace that thought with a self affirmation that is positive. Soon, you'll find that all areas of your life start to improve, along with your game.

If you go out onto the course with the thought that you're going to mess up, chances are you will. If you think "Gee I hope I don't slice this," you probably will. Practice thinking the right way and affirm yourself before every single shot. It may take a few tries to get it right, but once you stop setting yourself up for failure, you'll be able to succeed.

2. Play the course in your head.

If you've got a favorite course, you probably already know it pretty well. So, take an hour or two a week to sit in a quiet spot and mentally play some golf. You'll need to be able to remove all distractions so that you can immerse yourself in your thoughts. Start on the first tee and envision playing the perfect round. Keep doing this until you can get through an entire game of golf in your head under par.

You'll be training your brain to handle the course, even if you're not on it. The next time you go, your brain will automatically go back to those visualization sessions and chances are, you'll play better than you ever have.

3. Play some golf video games.

Sounds pretty fun, but can it really improve your game? Actually, it can. While it won't help your swing, it will help the way you think about playing golf. You'll be getting some valuable lessons on clubs, wind speed and how to read different lies. Look for a video game that is as realistic as possible and start to really pay attention to it when you play. Put yourself in your character's shoes and get into it as if you were really playing. You'll be learning while you're having fun and these lessons can be put into use right away the next time you actually do play golf.

Your mind is a powerful tool and when you know how to harness it, you'll be able to become a pro at golf.

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