Concentration versus muscle memory

[phillyk]

I recently had an interview for a company and was asked a question about working efficiently and quickly under pressure.  The first thing I could think of was a golf metaphor, because in golf we play under pressure a lot in either tourney or money play or whatever, and we want to make the shots that count.

I have come to a realization in my own game, which has great impact for our every day lives.  Concentration versus muscle memory.  This idea first came to me when I'd get loose while swinging my driver abnormally quick intentionally to warm up my arms, then I'd take my normal swing at address to the ball.  It's the idea that when you are taking your practice swings, it is the time to concentrate on what you want to do and how.  But once you address the ball, you have to stop thinking and allow your body to act on what you did on the practice swing; axe out all thinking once setting up to the ball.

Obviously, this is easier said then done and has been suggested thousands of times, but I only recently understand what that meant.  The understanding that at address, you have to relax, rely on your muscles to perform the actions.  If the practice swing was fundamentally what you want, then there should be no thinking of what you want your body to perform under the pressure of hitting the ball.  Once, the head gets into your hitting of the ball, the harder it gets to perform.

This is one of those ideas that can be taken to the workplace (more hands on work than computerized).  Its the idea of routine.  Like when you're on autopilot when driving to work, when you actually meant to make a turn way back to pick somebody up.  You leave out the thinking part, because you know your muscles and body will perform what you want it to.  But, with golf, I do understand that getting to this point actually requires you to know what your swing will do that day.

Just thought I'd share a realization in my game that helped me shoot my all time best score of my golf career, a few days ago.

[VegasRenegade]

I think your right.  But you have to have enough practice swings to make your muscle memory do the right thing.