What do you think about before you swing?

[ScottL]

Curious as you setup to the ball, what 'steps' do you go through before you swing?

ie. keep back straight, grip, etc...

[LongballGer]

I take a quick look at the target, close my eyes and take a mental picture of that target as clearly as possible. Then I open my eyes quickly before my backvswing and think about absolutely nothing.

[st0wgolf08]

I think about nothing, If i usually think about something, It makes the shot worse, I've only hit 2 solid shots thinking about something.

[TheLauncher]

The Void.

[MattljDuke]

I find it impossible to think about nothing right before my swing. Ideally, quieting the mind would be great, but I can't do it consistently, and "quiet" can really feel like a lot of different things.

So instead, I set up, then take a look at the target. Look back down at the ball. Feel my weight on my right foot, just behind the ball on the inside half. Then I swing. But I keep thinking about my weight on that spot, otherwise some other thought comes into mind and I become inconsistent.

[smith5606]

Alignment and grip. Then as little as humanly possible. My dad used to say that when I thought too much, I weakened the war effort.

[Handrea]

I try to think about nothing but I'm too analytical for that. Thats why I am not a good golfer. I don't know how to stop thinking and just play. I have a great swing but my mind is a mess and its a mind game. I generally thing about Grip Alignment and Posture-GAP. Something my golf coach tried to get me to think about, I'm not so sure it worked.

[Dub]

Smooth takeaway and a full finish.

[Long_Ball_Bogey]

The ocean...the beach...the forest. Oh, and wherever OOB is. I get in a lot of trouble off the tee for some reason. Hmmm... --LBB

[Robiola the Monster]

I look at my lie, look at my target line, choose my club, think to myself that the club that i have chosen is 100% correct (confidence), a practice swing or 2, place my club behind the ball, aim, backswing, follow through, watch were my ball goes, then nothing

If i'm thinking about all that i can't get distracted, i try not to think about whether or not its the right club or how the shot is going to end up

Although as shown by my handicap it doesn't work

[Scott_Tee]

Step behind the ball, and aim (concentrate) on the target, envison the shot.. loosen up, setup, and swing .

[JetFan1983]

In Tiger's book How I Play Golf (2001), he talks about swing thoughts. This is an excerpt from his book, page 156, where he talks about mastering a powerful draw shot for a specific hole at Augusta National:

"Long before I arrived at Augusta for the 2001 Masters, I practiced that draw with my driver and 3-wood. For two months solid, I would devote a little extra time on the practice tee with that specific shot in my mind's eye. I don't consciously change my mechanics. I do it by feel. My last thought before I take the club back is 'Draw.' I got good at hitting the shot in practice, but would it hold up under pressure?"

Oh, if you're wondering, the answer to Tiger's question was "Yes."

[flap]

The last thing I think about is getting my right[lead I am lefthanded] under my chin which ensures me I made a full turn.

[Khalua10]

I think to myself..Stay on the balls of your feet, don't get back on your heels and keep your back elbow stuck to your side which allows me to get the takeaway right and stay on plane.

[ECT]

When I set up, I make sure that my weight is on my right inside foot and more towards the balls of my feet. Nice straight back without no shoulders hunched. And right before I swing I tell myself to swing with a slow, good rhythm and keep my left elbow straight. So many times if I don't tell myself to keep my left elbow straight throughout the swing, I always end up "chunking" the ball!

[Bryan72]

definitely getting the club straight back.

[Doctorfro]

What's for dinner?

[cigarnut81]

Zooey Deschanel or Paula Creamer