Ignorance Is Bliss

By Jennifer Scott, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

Are you one of those golfers who analyzes every swing you make? Do you mumble self-criticisms to yourself -- even before you hit your first shot?

At the practice facility, this is fine. You're there to improve, to iron out kinks, to groove a good swing. Even to experiment.

But on the golf course, that stuff is destructive. For two reasons: one, you're not objective enough to really see swing flaws. That takes a pro or a video camera. And two -- even if your analysis is right -- you can't correct a swing flaw in one shot. Trying to do that usually results in "overcompensating," which results in dreaded double bogies.

When something goes wrong during your round, don't analyze. Take a deep breath, hold it, and on the exhale, say or think "Peace, Harmony, Relax, Relax." Feel the tension and stress of that last bad shot melt away. Your usual swing is probably pretty good, and if you don't try to change it or steer it, it'll come back. You'll be fine.

Also, don't forget to trigger the focus and concentration you want for your next shot. Your last shot is behind you. Now you step into the Bubble of your pre-shot routine with a deep breath and the thought of "Level B, Relax Now." Then, as Harvey Penick said, "Take Dead Aim."

Without the analysis/paralysis, you'll be ignorant of exactly why you flubbed that last shot. But you'll be blissful after your marvelous recovery.

Jennifer