by Jeff Mount

Created on: February 05, 2009

Have you ever taken a few months off golfing, only to return and find that your swing has never been so pure and effortless? I think we all have. This is because we, as golfers, tend to get in our own way and let a barrage of 'swing tips' and 'swing thoughts' enter our mind when we play regularly. This is called 'paralysis by overanalysis' in the golf world - and it's something we've all fallen victim to at one time or another.

We would do a lot better by trusting ourselves and our abilities more, and allowing natural instincts to take over. Granted, golf is not an easy game compared to other sports, but we make it much more difficult when we try to break down every component of the swing and fall victim to over-thinking. It's been said that the game of golf is more mental than physical - in other words, it's more important to have confidence and trust in yourself than being coordinated or physically gifted.

Here are some suggestions for improving your mindset so that you can play better golf:

> Don't worry about what you look like.
This is a killer. Often times (especially on the first tee or when there are many people watching) we worry about what will happen if we hit a bad shot, or what that might look like to other people or peers who may be watching. This causes big time tension, which prevents swinging smooth and free. Realize that everyone is too pre-occupied with their own swings to worry much about yours.

> Breathe.
Deep breaths can be very calming and go a long way towards lowering the heart rate and allowing ourselves to be in a good 'mental spot' to hit a golf shot. Inhale through the nose deeply and exhale through the mouth as you stare down the fairway and picture your ideal shot.

> Visualize.
Mind over matter. Picture the exact shot you want to hit and put everything else out of your mind. Chances are if you are telling yourself 'anywhere but left into the lake', that will be the mental image you have when you swing and you will do exactly the thing you are trying not to (put it in the drink). Picture the fairway, or the green, and don't even acknowledge the trouble elsewhere.

> Focus on your target and not your ball.
If the ball is your target, you are likely to 'hit' at the ball with tension and not swing freely through it. Remember, your target is somewhere 'out there' down the fairway or on the green - the target is not the ball. Let the ball get in the way of your swing and follow through confidently.

> Concentrate on the shot at hand

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