==================================================== Newsletter - Issue 94 Date 04/13/09 ==================================================== ==================================================== Equipment - Books - DVD's - Instruction ==================================================== Last Issue: I just received several products that I ordered from Eyeline Golf, I'll be reviewing them in the next newsletter. I ordered some mirrors and plane rails to work into my putting lessons, as well as for use in the putter fitting operation I'm setting up at BCC. ------------------------------------------------ Well, I have tried out the mirrors and plane rails, and they are wonderful! They have helped me keep my stroke on line, and to keep my head still, and they have helped me free up my stroke for my long putts. I also picked up a metronome, and it has been great for developing a tempo cadence that I'm working on for tempo consistency. The best putters maintain the same tempo for all length putts and change the stroke length as opposed to keeping the same length and changing tempo. I recommend Eyeline Golf products for anyone that is serious about improving their putting, their products get two thumbs up from me! http://www.eyelinegolf.com/ ==================================================== TCT Quick Tips - Acceleration ==================================================== When putting, there are two things you must do to start the ball on line: 1) you have to keep the putter moving directly down the target line, and 2) you must maintain a square clubface. The way to do those things is to ensure that the putter is gaining speed as it strikes the ball, rather than decelerating. ==================================================== Golf Tip : Thinking......... ==================================================== WHAT NOT TO THINK ABOUT The secret to a perfect golf round could be a lack of concentration. Researchers found that golfers who focused too much on their technique lost consistency in their game and tended to hit the ball more slowly while putting, psychologists found. John Toner, from University College, Dublin, who carried out the research, said: "When people feel under pressure they start to focus more on their technique, but this study shows that is exactly what they should not do. ' "They should certainly not try to adjust their technique at all and should stick to what they know." He added that golfers could try to trick their body into reverting to its natural stroke by focusing on something else on the course rather than their physical action. He said: "One trick that people can certainly try is to try to distract your external focus. Make sure that your focus is on the hole or on a spot on the green and do not think about your technique or how your limbs are moving." The study appears to confirm conventional wisdom that "overthinking" during performance can have negative results and could explain some of the most famous misses in golf, he believes. These include Doug Sanders' 1970 failure to make a two foot putt to win the British Open at St Andrews, still remembered by many golf fans. Earlier this year researchers at St Andrews University and the University of Michigan showed that golfers took twice as long to make a putt if they had previously spent five minutes discussing their technique. WHAT TO THINK ABOUT Now that you know that thinking too much will cause you to play poorly, what should you be thinking about? Here are a few things you should incorporate into your game right away: 1. Focus On A Very Precise Target When you go to play, I want you to pick out the smallest target in the distance and focus intensely on it before you hit the shot. For example, if your target is a tree, focus on a leaf on the tree instead of the whole tree. The next time you go to play, try to incorporate this into your set up routine. Here’s how: 1.) Pick out a very precise target in the distance. 2.) Do 2-3 practice swings while keeping your eyes locked on this target you have chosen (you’re only doing the practice swings to loosen up and feel the rhythm of the shot not thinking about your mechanics). 3.) Step up to the ball and take your set up. 4.) Just before you’re going to hit the ball, swivel your head a couple of times and focus back on your target again . 5.) Finally, turn your head back to the ball and pull the trigger. By doing your routine this way, you have very little time to be thinking about your swing mechanics therefore, you should be hitting your shots with a clear mind. NOTE: Don’t just try this new routine once. You have to incorporate it into your set up routine forever. This is one thing all Tour Players do. If they do it, you should do it too. 2. Visualize Your Shot Pattern Visualizing your shot pattern also takes your mind off of your swing. The whole idea is to see the most vivid picture in your mind. Once you have it, step up to your shot thinking about this picture as opposed to your swing mechanics. 3. Taking Time Off If you live in colder climate like I do, or if you've taken a break from golf, I'm sure you've experienced some incredible shots and/or rounds of golf once you got back into playing again. This happens because the layoff allows you to forget what you were previously working on plus, the excitement of playing again stops you from getting too focused and grinding too hard. For most golfers, this never seems to last because few weeks later, you either fall right back into your old routine or your whole swing falls apart. The reason this happens is exactly what the article above says. You started to think about your swing mechanics and you were concentrating too hard when you got under pressure instead of just having fun out there. Conclusion If your swing starts falls apart for one round it’s no big deal but if you totally lose your swing in multiple rounds in a row, it’s a tell-tale sign you’re thinking too much. If this happens, make sure you’re target oriented or you take a break for a few days. By doing so, you will be able to leave the mechanics at the range and start to have fun again. Enjoy, Tom