Many golfers think they have to work on their swing technique to build consistency. There is no doubt that this is true, but what is equally and if not more important to attaining greater consistency is to have a consistent mental approach to each shot.
When you get to a level where you generally play good golf but there is always the odd bad shot that creeps in (often at the time you least want it!) then its likely that it is being caused by a mental gremlin rather than a swing flaw.
Beware the Sneaky Mental Lapses
Some of these mental errors are cunningly disguised as technical errors. Do not be fooled!
Often you might think that a bad shot was caused by a swing fault when it was actually caused by an underlying mental mistake. By developing a greater understanding of the far reaching power of your mind, you will be able to recognise these mental lapses for what they are.
Everything the body does is a direct result of instructions from the brain. If your brain gives your body clear, positive instructions every time you hit a golf shot your chances of hitting a good shot will sky rocket.
It is the mixed messages caused by poor thinking that are more likely to cause you to hit bad shots.
Consider theses questions:-
Have you ever hit a really solid, straight golf shot before? Yes?
Are you capable of hitting a really solid, straight golf shot in the future? Yes?
Is there any reason why your next golf shot cant be solid and straight? No?
So what would stop you from making your next golf shot a good one? Nothing. But, if anything, you might answer my swing.
Well, what causes you to make a bad swing? It is the signals that are sent from your brain to your body. Its your brain that decides how fast you swing. Whether you take the club back straight or inside or outside the line. Its your brain that decides whether to open the clubface or close the club face.
So if youve made a good swing before, your brain must have sent the right signals to your body. When youve made bad swings, your brain has sent the wrong signals to your body.
To become more consistent you need to think more consistently. What that means is that you need to use the power of your mind to re-create good swings as often as you can.
Here is a great tip for hitting a good shot when you need it. Think back to a great shot you have hit in the past. Recreate the shot in your mind as vividly as possible. Remember what you saw as you looked down on the ball. Remember the sound of the ball leaving the clubface. Remember the feeling you had in your body as you made your swing. Make it as real as possible.
Doing this will programme your brain to recreate the feelings from that great shot and when you address your shot for real you will be in a much better frame of mind to recreate the good swing.