What is your swing thought?

[Soup Fan]

I do not really have one at this point, and I would like to develop one in the hopes of developing a little more consistency in my swing

I haven not had the chance to play or get to the range in a week or so now, but when I've taken swings with my driver I've been thinking "hands, elbow, hips, hands" as a kind of timing device to pace myself and remind myself what I need to be doing.

Since I have not had the chance to actually hit a ball yet, I don't know if it is actually helping any, which is why I'd like to know what everyone else is saying to themselves or thinking during their swing.

[Burg]

I work very hard on not thinking about anything. I focus on the target, clear my mind, and let the swing happen. I would suggest that you don't have any swing thoughts other than non-mechanical ones. I sometimes remind myself to maintain rhythm but that's all.

Read "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect" by Bob Rotella if you want to improve your mental game.

[Ben]

Like Burg says, I try to keep it at a minimal especially while I'm over my shot. During a practice swing or two is where I'll go through whatever swing thought(s) I'll have.

I try to keep swing thought to a minimum though. Right now balance and a straight left arm is what I strive for in drives. On iron shots I tend to bow my right forearm at impact, so I like to focus on solid arms. For putts I'm most concerned with getting putts to the hole.

[Ringer]

Well first of all I have developed a pre-shot routine that gets my setup as close to perfect as I can be. So my thought leading up to the shot is always just do the routine.

My final pre-shot thought is "relax". During the swing it's "Finish". But understand that the thought is an image and feel that I've ingrained after years of play. By focusing on just the finish the swing follows suit.

I don't at all want to sound egotistical but it's a higher level thought that everyone should strive for. Develop a finish that you can see and feel consistently. Then your one and only thought should be about getting there.

[Q.Q.Quillume]

I generally play my best when I have no swing thoughts at all.

[Leek]

My thought, turn back and hit the ball to the target.

[Spectrums]

I typically try to remind myself before I start to swing to hit smooth and controlled.

[JtotheD]

Pre-shot: Pick a spot to aim. Line up Shoulders, Hips, Feet, Clubface. Get balanced on balls of feet

At Address: Neutral grip, Shoulder turn, Right Elbow In ........hit it!

Works everytime..... (mostly)

[iacas]

I've changed around a bit this year. Last year, I think my swing was nowhere near as reliable as it is this year. Thus, I always had to have some swing thought to try to hold everything together.

This year, I honestly really haven't had many swing thoughts. I have one in my pre-shot routine regarding my setup, but then I forget about that and focus solely on the target or my ball flight (cut, draw, low, etc.).

[ChiChiIsMe]

My thought is in my sig.......

[rmgr]

"hit the ball as hard I can without over swinging."

[countjyro]

Once lined up and ready to swing, the last thing I think is "Be happy." Then I smile and that is like the trigger of my swing, once I smile, it starts.

[robert]

After I have set up to the ball my only swing thoughts are two triggers. During take away I try to imagine my club is always pointing at my belt buckle until it begins to come up on the backswing (I find this guarantees me a good weight shift and a full shoulder turn) after that all I think about is keeping my eye on the ball and getting to a nice balanced finish position. It all pretty much takes care of itself from there.

[gaz d]

Eye on the back of the ball,left shoulder past my chin and downswing hard and fast!

[sonicblue]

In my setup, I waggle the club back to about 1/4 of the way and imagine that someone is pulling on the clubhead. This reminds me to stabilize myself, keep good balance so that person could not push/pull me over. From there, my only thought on the backswing is to keep my left wrist straight as I bring the club in one piece to a point behind my shoulders. My only downswing thought is to feel my left pectoral muscle and left upper arm connected so that everything comes through together.

I know, I know.....the best golfers have no thoughts in their head as they swing. I'm workin' on it.....!

[asianpsuation]

my swing thought is nothing really...try to be calm and dont screw it up. when i think about too much stuff the swing is never good.

[Guest]

I do not really have one at this point, and I would like to develop one in the hopes of developing a little more consistency in my swing

Having too many thoughts when swinging just throws you, i find just the one is bearable whether it be just keeping my head down or still or giving my shoulders a full turn on follow through,more than one can just confuse and the lastr thing we need when swinging is confusion this bloody game is hard enough on its own.

[Soup Fan]

My problem is not necessarily in my swing, but in my ability to repeat it, so I am just trying to get an idea of what kind of mental adjustments I can make to help me in that aspect.