Golf Swing Thoughts Help Develop Consistency

If you must have a swing thought, keep it simple. And non-mechanical. Many PGA pros focus on a single thought, which eliminates thoughts about swing mechanics. Ernie Ells keeps this thought in mind when he swings "Low and slow." That's it. He doesn't think about where his hands are, where his weight is, or where his body is going to end up. That's for when he's taking a golf lesson from his swing coach. Instead, he focuses on taking the cheap golf clubs back low and slow, eliminating everything else. Fred Shoemaker, author, a pioneer in golf instruction, and founder of the golf school Extraordinary Golf, is adamant about swing thoughts. Replace thoughts about your mechanics with thoughts about the "feel" of your swing with cheap golf clubs . Think about tempo and rhythm rather than where and when. If you must have a swing thought, says Fred, have one that reinforces the feel of your swing. Fred has his students practice throwing clubs to emphasize this idea. At first, they throw a club 15 feet. Then, they throw one with a slightly fuller swing, about 25 feet or so. After about 200 throws, they throw one with a complete golf swing. Of course, this throwing is done under strict supervision and safety conditions. Once Fred's students master club throwing, they move to the tee. The goal there is remembering how it feels to throw a club when you hit a ball. They focus on that idea and that idea alone. Establish a target line for your ball flight before you address the ball with cheap golf clubs. Keep that thought in mind when you hit and try to copy it with your ball flight. That forces you to keep the target line in mind, not your mechanics. Most professional golfers take a few practice swings before they address the ball. They want the feel of the swing before they hit the ball. Recreational golfers ought to do the same. Take a few practice swings. Remember how it feels. Keep that "feel" in mind when you hit. The downswing begins the chain reaction of feet, knees, thighs, and shoulders. Any thought that triggers this chain reaction helps deliver the blow at impact. Try thoughts like, "Plant your left heel," or "Slide your left knee toward the target." Anything that helps you transfers your weight to your left side works well.