backswing blues

[RIduffer]

Played 9 holes today (snow was mostly melted) and while I hit some good shots, I felt really bogged down with swing thoughts. I've been hitting the range alot lately trying to retool my swing for next season, so I'm definitely more in practice mode right now. But I really wish I could just shut out the mechanical thoughts when I play a round.

More than anything, I notice that I get so preoccupied with my backswing that I have no real acceleration or "through the ball" in my swing. I want to keep practicing and getting better, but I also want to be able to relax and have fun when I'm on the course. Do you guys/gals have any tips for separating practice from play?

[Chubbs]

Try not to bog yourself down with tons of swing thoughts, even on the practice range. The golf swing only lasts about 1 second, so that's estimating half a second on the backswing and half a second on the follow through. Your mind has a hard time grasping and implementing multiple concepts to your muscles in that time. Concentrate on one swing thought at a time, whether it's balance, straight take away, parallel at top. Once you've got that down, move on. Don't overwhelm yourself.

[RIduffer]

Try not to bog yourself down with tons of swing thoughts, even on the practice range. The golf swing only lasts about 1 second, so that's estimating half a second on the backswing and half a second on the follow through. Your mind has a hard time grasping and implementing multiple concepts to your muscles in that time. Concentrate on one swing thought at a time, whether it's balance, straight take away, parallel at top. Once you've got that down, move on. Don't overwhelm yourself.

Thanks, good advice. But when you are on the course, do you have one basic swing thought (i.e. tempo, swing-through-the-ball, etc.)? Or are you visualizing the shot? Or are you thinking about the cart girl?

[Chubbs]

Thanks, good advice. But when you are on the course, do you have one basic swing thought (i.e. tempo, swing-through-the-ball, etc.)? Or are you visualizing the shot? Or are you thinking about the cart girl?

I'm thinking, "I better hit this quick, bc I'm on a side slope and my beer doesn't look sturdy leaning on the ground like that."

[Golf'nBiker]

For me, most of the blues or blows are a single malfunction in my swing. ie...wrist cupped at the top of the swing...once I discover what that problem is, I concentrate to eliminate this...recently my shoulder turn isn't complete as the temps are considerably lower, I'm feeling stiff. I now almost take a 2 part back swing to get to the top to ensure my lead shoulder is under my chin. Eventually the problem will leave thru repetition...hope this helps.

[RIduffer]

For me, most of the blues or blows are a single malfunction in my swing. ie...wrist cupped at the top of the swing...once I discover what that problem is, I concentrate to eliminate this...recently my shoulder turn isn't complete as the temps are considerably lower, I'm feeling stiff. I now almost take a 2 part back swing to get to the top to ensure my lead shoulder is under my chin. Eventually the problem will leave thru repetition...hope this helps.

Thanks, but I think you might have misunderstood my question. Ideally, I'd like to be focused on sending the ball to my target and getting the ball in the hole, NOT the mechanics of my backswing when I'm playing. I'm looking for mental startegies people have for getting out of the "practice" mode and into a "playing" mode. I know many people have pre-shot routines, or one specific swing thought to get focused, etc.

[Chubbs]

It just varies on how your swing is going during your round of play. If you've practiced enough and have gotten your swing into a groove, then you don't have to think too much about swing mechanics and let your muscle memory take over. Just mentally picture a great shot as you get ready to swing. But a lot of times, playing a round for me is still practice. If i have the case of the hooks, I still think about a technique in my swing when I approach a tee shot or approach shot, just as I would if I was on the driving range.

[ks8829]

When I play, I am always thinkering about my swing, yesterday, I did not score, but I found a nice tempo and was hitting my driver well. the tempo I found was a nice slow backswing and a slow transition but a release of the forward swing that resulted in solid driver with a high slight draw that I was able to line up and control down the fairway.

During the round, I notice that my swing needs to be tweaked so I need to make small adjustments and I don't mind. I am confident and relaxed since I playing my best golf. so, I am not sure if I can ever play a round without thinking or making small adjustment.

I am playing rounds currently with my friend competitively and this has helped improve my overall game. We play match play and double or nothing on the 18th hole.

I do focus most of my attention on the backswing of all my swings including the short game chips. I focus on the take away and direction that I take the club back and recently the distance that my hands are from my body with my drives.

I think that you can enjoy golf while working on parts of your game during the round and like everyones goal for golf is to get a little better each time you play resulting in lower scores and consistency.