LETTER FROM THE TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
The next step is to practice being in the present . A often overlooked cliché but it needs to be practiced as well as understood . Being present entails being mindful of the current moment , not just a blank out in the mind . This can be as simple as focusing on your breathing , or simply feeling the weight of the club as it swings . The way I have personally found most beneficial is to focus on the hole ahead of you . I often ask myself what does a good shot look like in the given place I am . Additionally some thoughts of gratitude for just simply being able to play golf on that given day can work wonders . When we start to focus on some of the things we take for granted while we play , it can focus the mind back the present instead of being distracted and in chaos about future holes or outcomes .
The last technique is to really understand what attention is , and this in my opinion is the most important point . Where you focus your attention during the actual golf swing motion . This attention is simply what you are being mindful of while you are making a move to hit the golf ball . This is not just a “ swing thought ” they are massively different from one another . There is no right or wrong when being attentive during your golf swing , and there are so many things to focus your attention on that really one of the best ways is working on the range and doing some trial and error . A few examples of where better players tend to focus their attention is that start line of a shot , feeling pressures shift under the feet , finishing your swing in balance , or more broadly just being aware of your body ’ s motion during the shot . Usually , the best place to focus your attention is somewhere you can keep it throughout the swinging motion . This will help with staying committed to the shot you ’ re hitting and will help with maintaining the awareness through the shot ’ s entirety .
So , once you feel ready to step up to the first tee with a stress free and ready for battle mentality by simply working on our your mindset and attention , you will start to swing free , and hit shots with more confidence , and those are some major keys to playing your best .
Have a great month of October and as always keep ‘ em in the short grass !
Ben Johnson
PGA , Teaching Professional eaglebrooke newsletter 9