Gotta-Grip Golf Blog

A Recent story about a professional golfer accused of taking aim at a tree where a noisy bird was perched made me think about how we all handle distractions, while playing golf.

There are some humorous books and videos (like the link below) that illustrate suggested ways to take out golf frustration, but reading further may help with your game even more.

I met an author at a golf trade show in Florida named Michael Russ, Mr. Russ was at the show from his [then] home in California, marketing an audio CD called "Powerful Golf: Lower Your Score, By Changing The Way You Think".

During the two-day show, Mr. Russ came to our booth several times interested in our Gotta-Grip golf product. We made a trade for each other’s product before the show ended. I listened to his CD several times when I got back home before I sent it to my current business partner. I thought it was very good, and I remember wondering why golf stores and pro-shops did not offer products like this for us amateur golfers.

Back then, I was impressed that someone took such a different approach on ways to improve one’s golf game. None of his audio book was about “athletic technique”, and instead focused on the mental aspect of the game. Most all professional golf instructors will talk about visualization, but it is usually associated with a particular shot, or technique.

I later learned that golf psychology has been a steady business for many years on the PGA Tour, and since I have seen, and met several of these types of golf “gurus” at professional tournaments.

One of the things that Mr. Russ’s teachings dealt with is what happens before you even get to the golf course. On the way to the course, in your car, are you starting to talk yourself into a great round of golf, or are you cursing the traffic?

We have all had times where we step back from a shot because a member of our foursome rattled a club, coughed, or made noise that distracts us. Think of the pros with cameras going off, and people on the next green cheering in your downswing; that could ruin any one of my shots easily.

If you have ever watched a Western movie you have witnessed scenes in which the cowboys are sitting on horses and firing (blanks), guns that are quite loud right next to the horse’s ear; and the horses barely flinch.

Horses are skittish animals by nature, and therefore would normally not be prime candidates for this type of “acting”. However, it is the training that they receive which allows them to star in these roles, not their natural-born talent.

The same could be true for golf, and golfers. Remembering (before you swing), to visualize the shot, take few breaths and relax before you swing always helps. In addition, remembering to self-talk your way to the golf course in your car could be the perfect Rx for a better game.

Perhaps also saying to yourself before each shot, that no matter what sounds present themselves during your backswing and follow-through, they are part of the soundtrack of your perfect shot will help you from becoming startled. This may prevent ruining your shot, or even your game, for the day, and prove to be among the best golf tips for you.

Making the picture in your mind the stage (like a Hollywood Western set), and training your “mental horses” to remain calm no matter what could be the key to the perfect ending to your day on the course.