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Newsletter - Issue 85 Date 01/27/09
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TCT Quick Tips - Trust and Practice
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Trust in your ability can only be built through practice.


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Golf Tip : Q&A - Wandering Minds
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Q&A

Q: From Stephen K.: One thing that I"m sure that adds to my inconsistencies 
is that I'm constantly changing my swing thought. Do you have any suggestions?

A: Thanks for the question Steve, I'm sure that this is a common problem for a 
lot of golfers reading this newsletter.

The answer is to have a pre shot routine that you use for each and every shot, 
it clears your mind of the mechanics of the shot.

Recognize your swing keys, but review them prior to your pre shot routine. 

Once you go into your pre shot routine don't think about mechanics.

If you like to take a full swing or two before your shot, do so before 
you go into your pre shot routine, not as a part of it.

Here's what I recommend, memorize it and commit to it:

1) approach the ball from behind the ball target line

2) get your grip, and pick out an intermediate target

3) set up to the ball, body parallel left to the ball target line, (righties)

4) make posture and balance adjustments
 
then

5) stare at the target and see a good shot, glance at the ball

6) retract the club for a short waggle on plane

7) stare at the target again and visualize a good shot, glance at the ball

8) retract the club for a short waggle on plane

9) then set, swing and finish, and accept the result

Some players like a trigger move just prior to the takeaway, for me a short 
on plane waggle followed immediately by my set, swing and finish works best. 

To each their own on that thought.

I also like to keep fidgeting for all of this except for the set portion, 
which is an extremely brief segue, it almost blends into the backswing.

Good golfers stare at the target then glance at the ball. 
Poor golfers glance at the target and then stare at the ball.

Staring at the ball breeds tension - the # 1 killer of the golf swing.

Do this by the numbers but with a quick pace, it needn't be too time consuming. 

Enjoy,

Tom