Untitled Document
Make every shot!
Jeff Ritter
Director of Instruction
ASU Karsten Golf Academy
During one of my recent junior golf camps I was playing with a group of good
young golfers. On one particular par three all of the kids missed the green.
All three then proceeded to hit fantastic pitches to within a few feet of the
pin. Seeing an opportunity to pass on a lesson I asked each one: "what
was your intention on that shot?" Without hesitation they all replied "to
get it close." Not a surprising answer, in fact that's what I expected
them to say. I then replied, "OK, so who can tell me the point of golf."
Again, without hesitation, "well, to put the ball in the hole." Good
answer. "So now tell me, if the goal of golf is to put the ball in the
hole, then why were you trying to just get it close?" A moment of silence
ensued, then I could see a light come on as one kid replied "Yeah, why
are we trying to hit it close
let's just hit it in!" They all laughed,
and then started to get fired up as if they couldn't wait for the next hole,
a chance to go for it!
You see, golfers are conditioned to do things like "lag it close"
give your self a chance to "save par" when in reality they are telling
themselves "don't hit it in the hole!" Their "intention"
is completely skewed from what it should be. Golfers spend a lot of time wishing
and hoping, trying not to "screw up" when their intention should revolve
around simply getting the job done as if there was no question. Think of the
things you do perfectly every day like driving to work for example. Every day
you get in your car and with no wishing or hoping you perfectly navigate a 2000
pound machine with a series of complex movements and voila' you end up at work.
Perfect every time, no wish, no hope, no doubt. Well, believe it or not, golf
can and should be played the very same way! You've hit great shots before, so
why not believe that you will every time? Will this happen? Probably not, but
the pure belief that it will can "greatly" increase your chances of
success on a much more consistent basis.
So here's the tip:
1. No more wishing and hoping. Approach each shot as if success was a given.
2. Make your intention what you really want which is "hit the ball in
the hole"
3. Follow that up with a mental image of what your perfect shot will look like
(height,
landing spot, roll, speed it falls into the cup) everything just like a little
movie of
perfection.
4. Engage your target with an extended stare then pull the trigger as if success
was never
in question!
Golf is a tough game and the psychology that accompanies our successes and
failures is what makes this game so exhilarating and demoralizing from one shot
to the next. Following these tips is a sure way to get what you want more often
and have a lot more fun!
Jeff Ritter
Director of Instruction
ASU Karsten Golf Academy
jeffrittergolf.com
|