Is it better to just relax?

[jon8105]

When I am constantly running through all of the motions in my head when swinging I tend to tense up to make sure I do everything right. However, I try and think about too much and end up topping the ball or turning my shoulders and hitting the ball left.

On the other hand when I take a nice smooth practice swing and then step up to the ball and just relax I tend to hit the ball straighter and more accurately.

My question: Is it more important to stay relaxed during the swing or to constantly think about the mechanics (which causes me to tense up)?

[The Road Dog]

I think you answered your own question. The easy relaxed swing worked better. So practice until you can do that without thinking about the difference between it and thinking through every aspect of a swing.

[jon8105]

So when I play at the course I should probably just relax and focus on getting the mechanics right at the range?

[Zeph]

I would recommend you only have one swing thought at the time. That could be to swing easy, with good rhythm, finding the right backswing length, handpath etc. Trying to get 5 things right at once rarely works out.

[The Road Dog]

Right, but combine the two ideas. The best tip I know is to play a round at the range. Take the front nine of a course you played and play those holes, shot for shot at the range. Now while you're doing that take the time to make sure you line up correctly to your imagined target and get set up to swing the easy relaxed one you like. It takes more time to hit a bucket of balls but when you go to the course you'll see the benefits of practicing to play better.

[jon8105]

Great tips guys, I really appreciate it. I am playing today so I will just focus on a smooth easy swing (which usually goes farther then ones where I am tense)

[zeg]

So when I play at the course I should probably just relax and focus on getting the mechanics right at the range?

Exactly. You practice specific motions until they become ingrained and part of your natural, relaxed swing. That's not just golf, that's any athletic endeavor. That's also why practice is different from just playing or just beating balls. You do drills, use aids, etc, to ensure that during your practice time, you're getting the technique and mechanics the way you want. Then when you take 'em away and hit the course, you can just focus on your target. Maybe keep a couple of thoughts to trigger key elements of your swing, but even that I find to be hit or miss. I play my best when I just see the ball and hit it without any other thoughts in the way.

I studied martial arts for many years and as different as the sports are, it's a very similar process. If you're going to try to, say, punch through a board, you need to have very good technique so that you don't break your knuckles. But if you're trying to think about your wrist position during the punch, you won't break the board. You just punch through the board, and let the years of training ensure that your technique is correct. The fact is that most board or brick breaking doesn't actually require much strength, much like, say, a 220 yard drive doesn't require big muscles. It does, however, require very good, very well practiced form, or it's just not going to happen.

[Scott_K]

It's good to learn how to relax at the range as well. Hit some balls just focusing on tempo. I like to just think 1, 2, 3.

[saevel25]

I like to hinge my wrist up and down a few times before i take a shot, it lets all the tension go in my arms and lets me get a good feel for the club.

[jon8105]

Sounds good guys. I will give it a shot today and see how it goes. Either way being on the course is better than being at work.

[ERdiesel]

Sounds good guys. I will give it a shot today and see how it goes. Either way being on the course is better than being at work.

Amen to that

[DavidFehertysBike]

Its good to have loose muscles, but you should have a little bit of mental edge as well. Being a little nervous helps you focus, IMO. You just just have to find the middle ground between the two.

[CarlSpackler]

I agree with Zeg. The only thing I want in my head before and during my swing is the target. I want my swing to be a purely repetitive process that I developed before I got there. The target may be a spot on the fairway, the bottom of the cup for a putt, whatever. One of these days, I am going to try focusing on the bottom of the cup from the tee box of a par 3.

[zeg]

One of these days, I am going to try focusing on the bottom of the cup from the tee box of a par 3.

I don't know Carl, that's an awfully large target. I like to aim for the smallest drainage hole in the center of the bottom of the cup, really cuts my error circle down.

[CarlSpackler]

I don't know Carl, that's an awfully large target. I like to aim for the smallest drainage hole in the center of the bottom of the cup, really cuts my error circle down.

I think I'll start broad first and worry about how the ace rolls in later.

[Titleist_ProV1x]

I think you answered your own question. The easy relaxed swing worked better. So practice until you can do that without thinking about the difference between it and thinking through every aspect of a swing.

The Road Dog is absolutely correct, and once you setup to the ball relaxed and in the same position every time, soon you'll have no swing thoughts to think of, you'll just swing naturally because you'll be relaxed and in the same position

[jon8105]

Well staying relaxed payed off I think. I was able to play 9 holes today and I shot a 46, including a par and a birdie. Not great but that has been my best game so far this year. Thanks guys.

[martytilma]

When I am constantly running through all of the motions in my head when swinging I tend to tense up to make sure I do everything right. However, I try and think about too much and end up topping the ball or turning my shoulders and hitting the ball left.

It's always better to relax! The challenge is in how too do that. If you figure that out let me know! Ha!