Groovin’ Your Ideal Swing: The Mental “Secret” Inducing Swing Motion Excellence!
Consider the medieval woodsman. His job was to fell trees, then cut the fallen
timbers into logs usably sized for ceremonial, heating, and cooking fires.
Many depended on the woodsman; their exploits kept their town or village
supported with fuel. As such, their most important tool was their axe. And keeping
their axe razor sharp was essential to their consistent, high productivity
performance.
They would take their axe to the grindstone regularly, sharpening from side to
side, until they knew they’d gotten what they needed for maximum results.
Then, they’d do their daily felling and chopping … and begin their next day
again with prudent sharpening efforts.
A “dull axe” would never get the job done; only a highly sharpened blade
would accomplish their purpose. And so, they would take their axe to the
grindstone regularly to ensure they’d grooved the capability which would afford
them the most pronounced – and profound – performance efforts and results.
Sharpening Your “Axe”
The medieval woodsman regularly kept taking his axe to the grindstone so he
could groove the sharpest blade possible. This wasn’t a one-time shot, but a
continual practice, a daily ritual, so he’d bring forth the potential enabling him to
produce his desired results.
Blade sharpening was an accepted, purposefully engaged part of his life. He
neither feigned away from, nor bemoaned it; his involvement was thorough and
substantive because his daily success at the grindstone was integrally linked to his
degree of success in the woods.
Now, you surely aren’t a medieval woodsman. But you surely must take your
“axe(s)” to the grindstone (i.e., driving/putting range practice, practice rounds, etc.),
and then stay at the grindstone until you feel you’ve sharpened your skills – notably
your swing motion – so it’s at a level enabling you to perform effectively on the
course.
Grooving your ideal swing draws a similar parallel to the woodsman’s daily
grindstone efforts. Your swing motion must be regularly “sharpened” (i.e., practice
physically and mentally) so you’ll be in the best possible position to fell your “tree”
(i.e., play continually well, lower your score, register birdies, pars, etc.).
And, like the woodsman’s routine, your practice efforts must be generated
toward enhancing success during rounds; you must apply your “sharpened axes”
during a round. Then, proceed to engage “sharpening” them again, before your
next round. Then again, and again, and again. Indeed, “sharpening” your “axe”
(practicing strengthening and further cultivating your swing) is an essential,
intimately connected aspect to your overall course success!
And this process is a lifestyle, and playing style decision; if you’re a true
“woodsman” this is something you just do – with eagerness, purpose, and
committed focus. Why? Because you know you surely can’t produce the results you
want, and need to, if you don’t.
And so, assuming you are a true “woodsman,” let me now give you an Ideal
Swing Grooving mental development strategy to complement your physical swing
cultivation practice efforts.
Honing your “axe” (or, “grooving your sharpest blade”) as a golfer is most
effectively, and decisively accomplished by engaging a mind/body approach.
Physically, you do your range work, lessons, and practice rounds diligently, and with
the express purpose to improve. Mentally, you strive to precision hone the target
subconscious attitudes, emotional fuel, and swing motion generation affinity which
serves to direct and enhance your physical execution.
Indeed, honing your swing (with drives, irons, and your putter) this way,
addresses the comprehensive crux of true learning – that of subconsciously
structuring the sensory framework which leads to desired physical action. Then,
practicing the physical action in a manner that strengthens efficiency, reinforces
proficiency, and further “cements in” a success inclined subconscious sensory
framework.
And, knowing that you will, and likely already are engaging diligent, purposeful
physical practice efforts, let me now outline for you a simple, yet high powered
mental component strategy to help you groove your ideal swing.
Grooving Your Ideal Swing:
The Mental Component To Honing Precision Swing Efficiency
First, developing and generating your ideal swing is a process; regular
attention to detail, and continual mental/physical practice is required to produce,
then sustain, maximum results.
And so here’s a profoundly targeted exercise you can regularly do to help
accelerate and more fully develop your ideal swing. Read it through first in its
entirety, then apply it exactly as outlined.
[*First, decide upon which swing motion you want to work on (i.e., your driver?
irons? chipping? longer range putts? etc.). Decide upon one specific swing
motion, and then wholly focus your mental efforts upon that. Once you've
determined which swing motion you'll address, then proceed to engage the
following Factor 1.]
1.) Relaxing Your Mind And Body To Accelerate Your Inner Focus Capacity.
First, in an area where you won’t be disturbed, lie comfortably upon your back
on either the floor, your couch, your bed, or stretched out comfortably in a reclining
chair. Let your arms rest at your sides, arms facing downward, fingers loosely
apart.
Next, let your eyelids close down, and take 3 l-o-n-g, d-e-e-p breaths –
inhaling through your nostrils (letting your stomach expand and distend as you do),
and then easily exhaling through your mouth. And, with each easy breath that you
exhale, mentally/silently repeat the word “R-e-l-e-a-s-e,” allowing every muscle
and fiber within you to just easily let loose, and wholly relax.
2.) Subconsciously Grooving Your Ideal Swing With 5 Sensory Impact Factors
Now, we get to the “meat and potatoes” – the “axe sharpening grindstone!”
You’ll be creatively using your imagination here to accentuate precision swing
motions.
And so, having pre-determined which swing for which club you’ll be working
on (and having deeply relaxed your mind and body): In your imagination envision
you’re on your course ready to play this shot. Don’t just “watch” this (as if on a
movie screen or monitor), but perceptually step into the picture; feel your feet upon
the ground, feel the club held firmly in your hands, smell the grass, hear the
sounds wholly be there, in the moment.
A.) And next, before you set up to your ball, ask yourself “If I would generate my
ideal swing motion here, what would this be?” And, as you address your ball, notice
what your specific attitude and presumption is as you’re getting ready to execute
your ideal swing motion. For example: “Loosely, comfortably, and confidently, I
crisply flow through my backswing, downswing, contact and follow through. I have
a lot more skill than I realize; more than I give myself credit for – I just smoothly,
decisively execute masterfully now.”
Then, just let this attitude and presumption completely fill you, imaginatively
set up to your ball, determine your outcome point…and, letting this attitude and
presumption exclusively direct you now, go ahead and execute your ideal swing.
Then, sensing you’ve generated thorough swing motion proficiency, inhale
deeply, exhale slowly, and:
B.) Imagine you’re about to set up to that same shot again, and ask yourself: “If
I would generate my ideal swing motion here, what would this be?” And this time,
as you imaginatively address your ball, notice what your specific feeling is as you’re
getting ready to execute your ideal swing motion. For example: confidence?
determined? relaxed/loose/fluid? comfortably composed? emotionally centered? etc.
Then, just let this feeling completely fill you, imaginatively set up to your ball,
determine your outcome point… and, letting this singular feeling wholly fill and
direct you, go ahead and execute your ideal swing.
Then, sensing you’ve generated thorough swing motion proficiency, inhale
deeply, exhale slowly, and:
C.) Imagine you’re about to set up to the same shot again, and ask yourself “If
I would generate my ideal swing motion here, what would this be?”
And now as you imaginatively address the ball, allow yourself to deeply sense
automatic, coordinated muscular flow surging through you a rich and
empowering feeling of muscular unity, strength, and fluidity within. (Take your time
here; just focus on this sensation, and you will come to vibrantly sense it.)
Then, just allow this sensation to completely fill you, imaginatively set up to
your ball, determine your outcome point…and, letting this sensation of automatic
co-ordinated muscular flow wholly fill and direct you, execute your ideal swing.
Then, sensing you’ve generated thorough swing motion proficiency, inhale
deeply, exhale slowly, and:
D.) Imagine you are about to set up to the same shot, and again ask
yourself: “If I would generate my ideal swing motion here, what would this be?”
And now, as you’re imaginatively addressing the ball, let yourself deeply sense
a natural pre-disposition toward instinctive, precise, right swing motion, contact
and follow through a nourishing feeling of sensing – and knowing – you can only
generate excellence – and succeed. (Watch how quickly this sensation unfolds, and
freely flows through you as you begin to focus upon, and believe in it!)
Then, just allow this sensation to completely fill you, imaginatively set up to
your ball, determine your outcome point…and, letting this sensation of natural pre-
disposition toward instinctive, precise, right swing motion, contact and follow
through to wholly fill and direct you, go ahead and execute your ideal swing.
Then, sensing you’ve generated thorough swing motion proficiency, inhale
deeply, exhale slowly, and:
E.) Imagine you’re standing in front of a full length mirror. Clearly envision
yourself the embodiment of what you now know is the target attitude/presumption,
feeling, automatic coordinated muscular flow, and pre-disposition toward
instinctive, precise, right swing motion, contact and follow through all
connected to you generating your ideal swing.
Just let this impression easily, comfortably form. And, when it does, say to
yourself: “What I’ve just structured in my mind, continually unfolds as my real life
performance on the range, and during my actual rounds. I wasn’t just
‘daydreaming,’ I was creating and cultivating my actual potential; this ability and
swing motion capacity is becoming a more decisive, and pronounced, fact of my
life!”
Then, for the next few moments, continue to experience yourself the collective
embodiment of these ideal swing motion sensory elements – savoring the good and
commanding feelings of positive expectancy and self -belief easily, completely
flowing through you.
And then, inhale deeply, let your eyelids easily open, and s-t-r-e-t-c-h.
Related Instructions And Suggestions
The whole process should take 10-14 minutes to perform. Don’t rush; take
your time, and follow the outlined instructions. The more you perform this process,
the more effective you will be with it, and the more powerful its impact will become
for you.
Remember, before each session, decide upon the specific swing motion you
want to work on. I suggest you keep working on the same swing motion physically,
and mentally as outlined, until you notice decided improvement. Then, move on to
mentally/physically working on the next stroke you want/need to improve. (i.e.,
Resist the temptation and impulse to jump around; stay focused on improving one
swing motion at a time move on to address another only after you’ve seen
decided improvement.)
Stay regular with your mental practice here. You try to be regular going to the
range, and playing in your rounds, don’t you? Well, take 10-14 minutes each day to
also practice your mental ideal swing motion training. (Remember: the more you
practice, the more profound your neuro-muscular success link develops!)
You can also use this process before you begin your actual range work, and
before your actual round as a mental/emotional success primer. Find an area where
you won’t be distracted, and easily proceed through steps A-D. Then, begin your
practice efforts, or round play. (You’re sure to feel an enriching and settling sense
of confidence in the swing you’re striving to improve through implementing this
pre-range/pre-round mental practice strategy.)
Now, It’s Up To YOU!
A great golf swing is a byproduct of prudent physical practice, and targeted
subconscious priming. You’re going to practice physically anyway. And when you
include mental training, your improvement accelerates, and you become more
astute, more decisively.
Remember, learning occurs when your mind first grasps a concept, then
develops and sequences the elements involved in understanding and/or task
execution efficiency.
The physical impacts the mental. And, the mental impacts the physical. And
when you address both simultaneously, potential becomes fact … and the fact
continues to improve!
Author, clinician, and national TV therapist, Pete Siegel is America’s foremost sports
hypnotherapist. Golf Digest named him to their “Top 25 Mental Game Practitioners
List” Go ahead now, and review his highly acclaimed “Super Mental Toughness For
Golf”, And “Bringing Forth The Zone” mental game success programs at
http://www.incrediblechange.com
