Taking your game from the range to the course

The other day I was asked by someone golfing at Cane Creek, why is it when I warm up on the range I hit the ball great, but when I get to the course I can’t repeat what I did on the range? The answer to his question was very simple, it is all in your head! Let me explain in more detail.

When you are warming up on the range you are most likely not thinking about where the ball is going, you are just swinging. By just swinging you are freeing you mind of any negative thoughts and by not thinking negative thoughts positive things are happening. The mind is a very powerful tool and this is what separates the best players on the tour from the mediocre players. Same goes for us regular golfers. Those of you who do not worry about the outcome of the swing produce better shots and results.

Most of us play with fear, fear of the water, sand trees, out of bounds, etc. If you can erase that fear from your mind you can play better golf. The brain will only process the last thing it sees or hears before you swing.

If you are standing on the tee and see water to the right and say to yourself “don’t hit it right” the last thing in your brain is “right” and that is where the ball will go. It gets even worse, if the last time you played the hole you went in the water, then the next time you are on the water hole what are you thinking?

That’s right, you are thinking about the water! So guess what, you will either go in the water or hit it in completely the opposite direction. Either way, you will not be in the fairway.

So what can you do? This may sound real simple but it is difficult to do. All you have to do is think positive. Picture the ball going down the fairway instead of it going in the water. Do not tell yourself what you should not do, instead tell yourself what you should do. I am not talking swing mechanics — just positive mental pictures or thoughts.

So next time you play golf do not worry about the result of the swing just think about where you want the ball to go. It will not always go where you want but it will more often than not. I could go on and on about this subject but must save some for another blog.

Marc Spaulding is Director of Golf at Cane Creek Golf Course.