Swing thoughts

[Brookesy]

Ive read a fair few articles and tips recently and one thing i noticed that kept popping up was swing thoughts, never really used it before but the last few rounds ive been focusing on my tempo so ive been using the swing though 1,2 and 3 on my downswing and its helped me out loads. Anybody else do this and what do you use?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Thinking during my swing is a sure fire way to ensure I hit a crap shot

 

[thecraw]

I've adopted the closed eyes and pray method now!

 

[mattcross1977]

I find if I just think about my swing plane that's the only thought I need.

If I am on plane chances are I am going to be striking the ball really well.

If I overload my thoughts it all goes pear shaped.

 

[Bash]

I'm afraid I don't possess anything you could call a swing (others have different names for it, pirrouette being the most commonly used). I think "one.......two......" on my backswing and "cha cha cha" on the forward stroke. By the time i've got to the third "cha", my swing thoughts change to thoughts on how not to fall over.

 

[stevie_r]

I think "where the frig will this end up?"

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm afraid I don't possess anything you could call a swing (others have different names for it, pirrouette being the most commonly used). I think "one.......two......" on my backswing and "cha cha cha" on the forward stroke. By the time i've got to the third "cha", my swing thoughts change to thoughts on how not to fall over.

He's not joking and has perfected a beautiful two step soft shoe shuffle on every shot. Bash isn't one for standing there posing but prefers a little jig of delight

Fortunately my swing has gotten so quick now I haven't got time to have any swing thoughts. If I can get below mach 1 I might have a chance to think a bit more about what I'm doing

 

[stevelev]

I've started to use a negative to get a positive.

I keep thinking don't hit the middle of the fairway, and hey presto. Beats thinking don't hit it in the water / bunker / trees

 

[USER1999]

I don't have time to think. Works for me.

 

[EZprophet]

Never understood how anyone can not think of something during the golf swing. I mean I don't think I've had one moment in my entire life when I wasn't thinking SOMETHING...

I try to have 1 or 2 swing thoughts but sometimes have 3. Different ones for different shots. My main thoughts I use for all full swings is "smooth takeaway" and "extend the club out to the right of the target". I suppose when you are over the ball you could classify it more as a "feel" than a thought, but it is what I try to occupy my mind with anyways...

 

[SocketRocket]

As long as I visualise the shot, maintain my spine angle, keep my head still, dont lift up, turn in a barrell, shift my weight, pause at the top, drop the club into the slot, drop my elbow into my side, hold onto the lag, square the clubface, extend through impact and finish with my belt buckle facing the target, up on my right toe with my hands above my left shoulder then I can keep my mind completely free of swing thoughts.

 

[timchump]

i use to have soo many swing thoughts it wasn't funny, now i try to leave them at the driving range.

the only thing i that i think when i step up to the tee is to make a nice smooth swing and hit it down the middle

 

[Monty_Brown]

Agree with comments above that swing throughts are really for the range and on the course it's more about a feel or tempo thing rather than hitting specific positions.

 

[JustOne]

My normal swing thought (trigger) is to turn my left shoulder down towards the ball, from there I'm only thinking "hit it" and looking at the ball.

 

[DaveM]

I agree to swing thoughts are for practice. Swing with what you bring, or so they say.

 

[Oddsocks]

Thinking during my swing is a sure fire way to ensure I hit a crap shot

im with hawkeye... thinking is a big no no!

 

[Hobbit]

Slowly back... which at best means a blur.

 

[Swinger]

'Hang on, is this my ball?'

or

'I'm really going to let those old duffers have it for playing slow when I get in'.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

As long as I visualise the shot, maintain my spine angle, keep my head still, dont lift up, turn in a barrell, shift my weight, pause at the top, drop the club into the slot, drop my elbow into my side, hold onto the lag, square the clubface, extend through impact and finish with my belt buckle facing the target, up on my right toe with my hands above my left shoulder then I can keep my mind completely free of swing thoughts.

Don't think you're trying hard enough. Where's tempo in all that. Where's getting the ball teed up at the optimum height.

 

[SwingSlow]

On set-up, I think Justin Rose - it reminds me to keep my back straighter and flex my legs
Then I think: "Luke Donald" to remind me to keep a steady tempo and high finish.

Unfortunately I am built like Les Dawson, but they say it's the thought that counts.