Is it better to just relax?

[$2 Nassau]

I've learned this the hard way and the answer is YES, just relax while playng and concentrate on making the ball fly to your target. You'll hit it longer and straighter.

Wow, this website has changed a lot since the last time I logged in.

[Ringer]

Being relaxed is more than just not putting in effort.

If you can learn to become acutely aware of small amounts of tension that creep into your swing, you will discover a lot about your swing.

Understand that tension is either internal, or reactionary. Either you force yourself to tense up, or you re-route the club to put it where you want it as opposed to just swinging with it.

[GaijinGolfer]

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)?

Stay relaxed. Too many swing thoughts is only going to mess you up. Its perfectly fine to think about mechanics when you are on the range, but when youre on the course you need to focus on the shot youre about to hit and not think about swing mechanics.

[imtomtomim]

confidence. Just like shooting a free throw. That's what your routine is for, to set you up doing the same time every time and not even think, just do.

[The Road Dog]

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.

I think we can mark that one as a win then?

Now get to the range and replay that round. Shot by shot, club by club and the next time you go out do better again.

[Travtex]

I find a great deal more consistency when I'm focused as all hell... But relaxed. If that sounds like a difficult state to acheive, it's just because it's a difficult state to acheive. If I'm slack-assing at the range... sure, I'm loose.. but I hit like crap. If I have any stiffness, sure I'm alert, but I hit like crap.

(For what it's worth, I'm having a lot of recent success with "Active Arms, Loose Wrists", though my swing is pretty hip-driven overall... I'm regularly being told 'Quiet Lower Body! Your Back Leg is Too Straight!' etc.)

[Shanks A Million]

My biggest rule. Never more than one swing thought, maybe 2 if they happen at different times, but only on the range. On the course, my swing thought is merely going to be a simple one, or if none are needed, just swing flat or short will be my thought. If you start thinking about a bunch of junk, you're never gonna hit it well. My best rounds come with simple swing thoughts. My best ballstriking round ever was one in which I merely kept thinking, "1/4 backswing." I pured most of my shorter irons, and more than half of my long irons.

[Stretch]

My biggest rule. Never more than one swing thought, maybe 2 if they happen at different times, but only on the range. On the course, my swing thought is merely going to be a simple one, or if none are needed, just swing flat or short will be my thought. If you start thinking about a bunch of junk, you're never gonna hit it well.

I need to take your advice. My swing's in bits right now because I'm thinking about a half dozen different things every time I set up.

[Shanks A Million]

I need to take your advice. My swing's in bits right now because I'm thinking about a half dozen different things every time I set up.

Never, ever, ever. You will only create more problems. I take about a week per swing change, just to make sure it sinks in. I can make a change in as little as a day, but that's for a small change or fix, like when the swing gets too long.

[RobS]

Try taking a practice swing while tensing all of your muscles. Then, take a nice relaxed practice swing. Notice the difference? Take that to the course. It's something I do to remind myself before every shot to stay relaxed. Hope that helps!

[jon8105]

My biggest rule. Never more than one swing thought, maybe 2 if they happen at different times, but only on the range. On the course, my swing thought is merely going to be a simple one, or if none are needed, just swing flat or short will be my thought. If you start thinking about a bunch of junk, you're never gonna hit it well. My best rounds come with simple swing thoughts. My best ballstriking round ever was one in which I merely kept thinking, "1/4 backswing." I pured most of my shorter irons, and more than half of my long irons.

Nice tips.