Mental Focus

[GolfFitPro]

 


The mental focus that pro golfers have is unbelievable to me.  I am always amazed at how they can tune out everything around them; especially when spectators are all around them when hitting out of trouble (because they might have lost their mental focus on the last shot!) or when they are hitting a tee shot and people are lined up on both sides.

I could never hit it with those people behind me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's definitely one of the things that seperates the best players on the tour from the  average players.

One of the things that players can benefit from is meditation. It can teach you how to stay in the present moment and focus on the shot at hand.  (Check out fitness expert Geralyn Coopersmith's blog for some easy tips on meditation.) I think the only thing you should be thinking about during your swing is the target. 

When I caddied in the US Open at Shinnecock, Tom Kite was in our group for a practice round on Monday.  On the  9th tee he said, "One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to pick a spot, anywhere, and focus on that spot, even if it's 2 miles away and let that be the only thing you think of.  I am focusing on the window to the left of the clubhouse door."  He proceeded to hit the ball right at the window and into the middle of the fairway.  Pretty impressive stuff.

Michael Anthony, author of the , wrote a great article called "How to Control Your Fear."  He says, "If you are honest with yourself, you will acknowledge that you experience fear while playing golf. It could be fear of missing a put, hitting over water or into a bunker, selecting the wrong club, misreading the green, etc. Controlling fear is easier if you know how."  Click here to read the rest of the article.

I also believe that when you are tired, you can lose your mental focus much easier.  Another reason the get in shape for golf.  C'mon, you knew I was going to throw something about fitness in there!

http://fitnessforbettergolf.typepad.com/be...f_with_fitness/