Freezing over the ball

[bunkerputt]

I've got a pre-shot routine. It doesn't take that long. But when I get to where it's time to pull the trigger, I have the hardest time. I would guess it takes me 10 seconds to actually swing. It's like a psychological block I have. I completely empathize with Charles Barkley and the difficulty he's had with getting rid of the hitch. What's weird is that one of my biggest swing problems is not completing my backswing. It's like I spent so much time to actually swing the club and when I do, I rush through it. I have no idea why this is. I'm guessing it's because I'm afraid I'm going to mis-hit the ball. That's equally as weird because I mis-hit it all the time. You'd think I was used to it by now. Has anyone else struggled with this?

[Where's the Cart Girl?]

Try to do what Hank Haney did for Charles Barkley and "take the ball away." Do you still hesitate if theres no ball? If not, then put the ball there but putt with your eyes closed, or looking forward instead of down. Not that youre going to hole many putts that way, but the idea is that you condition your mind to feel a fluid swing, followed by contact with a ball .

I'm not a psychologist by any stretch of the imagination, but I think that this makes alot of sense.

[Where's the Cart Girl?]

i didnt mean to imply that it only applies to putting either. take half swings, full swings, whatever, but dont look at the ball.

[Happy Dragon]

It's hard to swing without a little initial motion. You can try a slight forward press with the hands, a waggle, foot movement, etc.

[Jhans9c1]

It's hard to swing without a little initial motion. You can try a slight forward press with the hands, a waggle, foot movement, etc.

Craig Stadler has a slight forward press to get things moving; just watched the episode of Playing tips from the pros where he was featured. It does help to relax the muscles, instead of being rigid and tense at address.

[ks8829]

Remove all tension from your body, take a deep breath, keep a slight movement in your set up and then move into your backswing ever so slowly starting with your shoulders and arms as one piece.

If this does not work take Japanese Tea ceremony or practice the art of zen.

[MiniMoe]

I think everyone need a trigger to get things going. When I putt, I look at the hole, then fire. When I have a full shot, I tap my foot then fire, or I tap the club on the ground, or something to get my body moving.

[TN94z]

I think everyone need a trigger to get things going. When I putt, I look at the hole, then fire. When I have a full shot, I tap my foot then fire, or I tap the club on the ground, or something to get my body moving.

I agree. I do the same thing when I putt. My full swing, I have a little hip bump thing that I do to get it started.