MENTAL GOLF: Target Orientation

In our ZEN Golf pre-shot preparation we talked about becoming "target oriented".  Today we want to talk about why this really works to give you a better understanding of how to view your target.

According to ZEN Golf the part of the mind that controls the body does so by images.  When someone asks you "don't think about monkeys" what is the first thing that comes to mind.....monkeys!  Similarly when you think about "don't hit it into the water" the first thing that comes into mind is water. How often do you actually hit it in the water? That's because the word "don't" is not an image it is purely conceptual. The last image you've given your mind is the water. In fact, it takes incredible talent to mishit a shot so accurately that you do go into the lake!

The other thought that is likely to be complicating your "lake" shot is you making sure you make a good swing so the ball doesn't go into the lake.  Now you've introduced a "mechanical" thought into the equation further complicating what you're telling your mind to do.

You need to mimic what happens in other sports... take baseball for instance. A pitcher's target is a very small catcher's mitt.  They make the pitch to the target without thinking about the mechanics of doing so. The clearer their image is of the mitt the more likely they are going to successfully hit the target.  Their sole clarity of thought through out the windup is sending the ball to the glove.  Similarly, you need to pick a small target on the fairway or green and make it the clear image in your mind while you're making your free full swing sending the ball to that target. As far as your mind is concerned there is no water.