What goes through your head during your swing?

Just something I was thinking about today.

I consider myself beginner/intermediate.  I used to play a lot then I didn't for many years and now I'm trying to pick it back up.  I've been really working on fundamentals.  My swing is really starting to come together though.  I finally figured out some things that I have been doing wrong and am feeling good and very confident.

In my quest to better my swing, I've been constantly thinking about different things I need to do to hit a good shot.  I can't just go up, clear my mind and hit (I'm not sure that anybody really does).  So, I talk to myself like I'm sure a lot of other people do.  Not out loud, but in my head of course

I used to have about 6 things that went through my head.  Reminders of things I needed to do.  I had a bunch of things I was trying to concentrate on but now I've really got it down to saying "2" commands to myself.

#1 - Hands!  One of the things that was really limiting my swing and my consistency was that I was not what I call "cocking" my hands.  I was keeping my wrists pretty straight during my backswing.  Now about half way back I cock my wrists back.  I'm not sure of the correct terminology but I'm sure most of you know what I mean.

#2 - Hips!  The second thing I wasn't doing was starting my lower body movement before I started my swing forward.  I was usually starting my shoulders at the same time as my lower body.  Now at the top of my backswing my arms stop dead, I start shifting the weight in my lower body and then bring my arms through.

Those two things are what I've found were really keeping me from squaring the face at impact and are the only things that go through my mind now during my swing.

I start the backswing and yell "hands" to myself and then when I get to the top and stop, I yell "hips" and start my lower body movement and then swing through.

So, now I'm curious if any of you have similar things that you say to yourself during your swing?

My thought is: Don't miss it, don't miss it.

Seriously though, not much during the swing, just sort of clear my head, and let everything I've taught myself to happen naturally.

Now milliseconds after impact it's: OH SHIIIIIITTTT (and that could be good or bad depending on what the ball is doing).

I think..."where is that damn cart girl?"

I tend to drink heavily on the course.

My mind goes blank when I start my down swing.

Standing over the ball and maybe bleeding into the backswing, I'm thinking about thinking three things: 1) short backswing; 2) keep the right elbow tight; and 3) hips forward.  But its not like I'm saying to myself "short backswing," etc. in my head.  I might do that during my first practice swing, though.  In my second I and when I'm actually getting ready to swing, there is a feel I try to achieve, its short, compact, and smooth or easy--again, I'm not focusing on any one of those in particular, just this singular feel of that all comes together.

That's when i'm playing well.

When I'm not those specific thoughts come into play, but I still think my mind is sort of blank on the downswing.

Maybe I am the only one thinking "commands" to myself...

But I guess that's why I asked the question.  It's interesting to see what others think about sometimes.

When practicing, I think about my technique, no more that 2-3 things at a time.  When playing, I picture a perfect ball flight.

Too many things, and usually all at once so it's very loud and confusing in my head, especially when my swing isn't cooperating.

While I'm swinging ... nothing.  On good days.

On bad days I have a demon that pops up right at the top of my backswing trying to get me to swing out of my shoes - usually just with the driver.

But if you're talking about addressing the ball right before the swing, then it's whatever I feel like I've been doing the "most wrong" lately.  "Eye on the ball," or "smooth tempo" or "good posture" etc.  Usually only room for one thing though.  (It's not an enormous brain)

I always have some "address thoughts," but try to not have them enter during my swing.  I try to wait until the moment my thoughts "conclude their statement," then start the swing.  When I am still talking to myself as my back swing starts, something always seem to go wrong.

It depends what mode you are in really - playing or practicing. They should be two very different things.

In practicing, you can use a lot of concentration and thought. Try to get whatever you are working on ingrained through a lot of repetitions with maximum mental energy.

in playing, try to limit your thoughts, or even clear your mind of technical thoughts completely. in order to do this, try this drill - stand behind the ball, make a practice swing. Then walk towards the ball, and as you are walking, count to yourself. make sure the counting is at the same temp as your swing - mine is around 1 second which is easy. Swing back on one number and hit on the other, I swing back on 9 and hit on 10 (yes thats right, just 10 seconds between walking forward and hitting the ball). Repeat this until a rhythm forms, and your mind will start to switch off. By focusing purely on the counting, you will also lose technical thoughts which will breed consistency.   Don't give up after 1 minute. Try it a good few times. it will be strange at first to give up conscious control of your swing, but you have nothing to lose by trying it on the range for a half hour.

Even try filming your swing, one where you are thinking hard about it and one where you are doing the counting drill. I can guarantee they will be similar, one the counting drill needs less technical thought, and it will look more natural. Then keep working on going into practice mode if you want to change your swing. The more you practice a certain thing, you will see it 'come out' in the counting drill eventually. Only this time it will be natural rather than having to think about it.

I used to think about almost anything during my address. It could be my taxes, my dog....what I ate at breakfast.... Oh, I would think about swing mecahnics too, sometimes.

I saw Anika on Golf channel when she said that she draws a line between the hitting box and the thinking box. The hitting box is obvious. The thinking box is when you are standing behind the ball considering your options. That is where you do your thinking. When you ahve made your choices, club, shot shape, stance etc., you then go to the hitting box. You only execute in the hitting box.

If you need to reconsider anything that you have decided on then you step out of the hitting box and start over.

It has helped me from daydreaming to having self-doubting thoughts at address.

So simple in theory but works wonders for me.