Golf Psychology

[garyinderry]

course man is about being realistic an knowing limitions. how often would one expect to get up and dwn from 190.

in both instances i would be relaxed as i know i have little to lose.

the shackles are off. nothing to lose and everything to gain.

maybe we are singing frm the same hymm sheet here!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Many moons ago I used to coach and any good coach has to instal a level of confidence in the pupil.
That can be done in many ways and psychology is one of them.
Putting a picture in that persons brain of their swing/hands/shoulders/feet/hips so that they can understand what you are telling them to do is vital to be successful.
A simple example would be.
We all know that lifting your head causes a duff so we all say 'keep your head down/ watch the ball'. In fact that is not important, it is keeping your head still that is important.

 

[JezzE]

England Golf used a sports pyshcologist I know well for their Elite squad and down for 16 years until this year. He has also worked with countless pros, but as far as I am aware he hasn't ever been, nor ever will be, even remotely close to single figures let alone scratch or plus figures...

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

In match on Sunday my opponent was on our 10th green in two after cracking tee sot and good second - split level green and he and pin were on front lower level.

I was only maybe 120-125 yds to go. But significant uphill to green and heavily bunkered in front. So took an 8i to make ABSOLUTELY sure I got on the green and was not short in the bunker. Hit it easy and it pitched into step in green and it rolled back down onto front lower level. We both missed our putts and halved hole.

Point is that I was four up at the time and keen to keep him shut out; and distance was telling me very firm wedge or good 9i. But I HAD to get on the green to have a chance of halving the hole - more important than being on the front level or using the 'right' club. So thinking was get on and if too long then I have putt back down slope which is OK. Force opponent to hole his 10 footer for the win he needed.

 

[pokerjoke]

Golf Phycology definitely has a place in the modern game.
There are so many pressures in top sports these days.
Imo playing the game to a high standard is irrelevant,knowledge of the
human brain is more important.
However look at Johnathan Trott,no amount of help has helped him,the
mind is a powerful force.

 

[Fish]

We all know that lifting your head causes a duff so we all say 'keep your head down/ watch the ball'. In fact that is not important, it is keeping your head still that is important.

Is it? In a recent article of dispelling some myths, 'keeping your head still' is deemed to be "disastrous advice" and a swing killer!

It states that if you observe the best players on Tour in slow motion, you will see that most precise swings have a couple of inches of head movement. The fact the shoulders twist as they coil means that a hint of lateral movement is unavoidable in the backswing. It is said that adhering to advice from moving ball games is a good thing for the golfer. Keeping your eye on the ball is sufficient discipline to prevent 'swaying' and will not restrict the backswing coil. 6 inches of sway is less damaging than 2 inches of tilt!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Is it? In a recent article of dispelling some myths, 'keeping your head still' is deemed to be "disastrous advice" and a swing killer!

It states that if you observe the best players on Tour in slow motion, you will see that most precise swings have a couple of inches of head movement. The fact the shoulders twist as they coil means that a hint of lateral movement is unavoidable in the backswing. It is said that adhering to advice from moving ball games is a good thing for the golfer. Keeping your eye on the ball is sufficient discipline to prevent 'swaying' and will not restrict the backswing coil. 6 inches of sway is less damaging than 2 inches of tilt!

...and if I recall correctly Nicklaus used to initiate his backswing by gently turning his head to the right at the pace of his take away.