Golf Mind Game Article

Finding the Ideal Swing Mechanics and Tempo

By Nick Rosa, Ph.D.

This article is a response to the following question:

Hi Dr. Nick,

I've been playing Natural Golf for over a year now, I'm interested in Jack Kuykendall's method.

I'm trying to find that repeatable swing that I can have confidence in, I haven't found it yet. I've hit some really good golf shots on the practice range, when I go to the golf course I'm still thinking about mechanics of my swing. I've been told that the only thing you can think of is the target when playing golf. Well, I don't have a switch that I can turn on and off to make that happen.

I can par a couple of holes and then get an 8 on a par 4. I can remember a time this year that I had par on 5 holes in a row, then I slid back to my normal, not so good.

I have many different lesson videos that I've studied, maybe too much. If I try to think of nothing but target, my backswing gets way too fast, I lose my tempo therefore I don't make a good shot.

Can anyone really think of nothing but target on the golf course and play well? If you say yes, how can I do this? Thank you!

Don Stevens

Hi Don:

Regarding your long game, let's do the following:

    *
  • Find a model for ideal swing mechanics and tempo.
    *
  • Build body memory in for this ideal swing/tempo model.
    *
  • Develop a "switch" that you can use to trigger this swing/tempo model, setting it in motion automatically, at address, in the tee box or on the fairway.

You can use one of your videos to find your model. Pick a video that has a segment that shows, in its entirety, (from set up to follow-through), what you consider to be an ideal swing/tempo model; one that demonstrates the mechanics and tempo you desire. Review only this segment of the video, a number of times, until you have a solid picture in your mind of what the ideal swing mechanics and tempo look like. This is the model that we'll use in the following exercises.

The mental rehearsal exercises that follow will build body memory of the model you've chosen as well as create a "switch" that you can use to trigger your ideal swing mechanics and tempo. Read over steps (1) through (3) a few times to get an overview of the exercises before doing them:

  • (1) Seeing yourself driving with your model swing mechanics and tempo: With your eyes closed, imagine seeing yourself on a colored video tape. Imagine seeing yourself in the tee box or on the fairway picking a target, taking your practice swing(s), refocusingon your target, setting up, focusing on the ball, addressing the ball, taking your club back and swinging and following through with model mechanics and tempo.... Imagine appropriate distance, trajectory, and placement of the ball.

    Review this scene a few times, particularly, noticing your smooth swing mechanics and even tempo.

  • (2) Rehearsing your model swing mechanics and tempo: With your eyes still closed, transport yourself into the video. Repeat step (1) except now you are to imagine that you are in the tee box or on the fairway, feeling the ground under your feet and the club in your hand. Now you can see the target directly in front of you. Now you can feel the mechanics and tempo of your practice swing(s). You refocuson your target* and then you focus on the ball. Now, sense the kinetics of your set up and back swing. Feel the kinetics of swinging and following through with ideal mechanics and tempo. Imagine appropriate distance, trajectory, and placement of the ball.

  • (3) Triggering the ideal. Now let's add the switch or trigger to step (2). Add taking a deep breath, exhaling slowly, and thinking "relax" as you refocuson your target (at the asterix in step 2. Now, with this added dimension, repeat step (2) five more times.

Practicing step (3) should take only a few minutes. Practice step (3), once a day, for a few days; sometimes imagining being in the tee box, sometimes on the fairway.

Thereafter, when you're playing and in the tee box or on the fairway, use your "switch" (taking a deep breath and saying or thinking "relax") as you refocus on your target. Doing so will prompt your model swing mechanics and tempo to be triggered automatically.

Hit 'em long and straight!
Nick

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