"Relax- It's Only A Game?
The first point I want to make is quite simple to say and
tell others to do, but it's so very hard to actually put
into practice. Relax.
I really can't make it any simpler than that. Golf is fun.
Golf is a way to slow down your world and take a few deep
breaths. Not to become a place where you put even more
stress on your shoulders.
One of the fundamentals that you learn when you first pick
up a club is having a loose grip on the club is a basic must.
A looser grip means, better control over your swing. But,
when you're concerned about your distance, your stance,
hooking or slicing, then your hands, your arms, your
shoulders, your hips and legs will naturally tense up and
not be as fluid as you need them to perform a flawless,
fluid swing and follow through.
You can knock a few strokes off your game instantly if you
just take the time to empty your head of how your stance is
and just naturally let your body take over.
Now, I'm not saying that an incorrect stance is OK. The
basics will always apply. Your feet shoulder width, knees
bent, torso and back straight. But, that all comes with
practice and becomes habit after done correctly so many
times. Once you have your stance and your swing down, leave
it.
Stop worrying about changing it. There's only one way to
swing a club correctly for the best accuracy and distance.
The same thing goes for putting. Yes, there's a lot of
pressure with putting. It's the part of your game that can
really tack on the extra strokes, but that's usually
attributed to the extra pressure you put on yourself. Take
your time and breathe a little.
Line up your shot, without over analysing it. Read the
green, without trying to read too deeply into physics and
angles.
Take a few practice swings take a deep breath, step up to
the ball and putt. Chances are you've locked right onto the
cup.
Watch the next TV tournament, and you'll see the pros
missing more close putts than they do the fifteen to twenty
yard putts.
Until the next post
Prakash