I utilize exactly what you have described. In the 80’s I was exposed to a video series at work called “Investment in Excellence” which you may be aware of. I visualize targets on the golf course quite a bit, especially on short iron shots. That target visual is the last thing in my mind before I perform the shot. It’s like pitching pennies or throwing a baseball to someone, my mind makes my swing work to the target. I have trouble getting to sleep at night so I visualize what I’m working on in my swing. It’s amazing how I can do this and go to the course the next day and the move is there, stronger than if I just tried it for the first time. In Investment in Excellence you can relax yourself in bed from toe to head, essentially self hypnosis, and do the visualizations and get a deeper burn in the mind. It takes a while and some commitment for it to work but the experience is invaluable. Also, it may not be for everyone.
In a way I also use the scan process you describe. When I’m making a swing change I work on the change under precise focus or small scan but move out to incorporate the change into a full swing or large scan so I don’t ruin my full swing unnecessarily which I have found can happen easily.
Excellent. Thanks for sharing your story.
It does work when one commits to the practice and does it properly. Here is where many “drop the ball”. They try it once or twice then drop it or struggle to do it properly–then drop it.
2 Responses to “Off Course Rehearsal”
January 8, 2019
JimBenjaminDavid,
I utilize exactly what you have described. In the 80’s I was exposed to a video series at work called “Investment in Excellence” which you may be aware of. I visualize targets on the golf course quite a bit, especially on short iron shots. That target visual is the last thing in my mind before I perform the shot. It’s like pitching pennies or throwing a baseball to someone, my mind makes my swing work to the target. I have trouble getting to sleep at night so I visualize what I’m working on in my swing. It’s amazing how I can do this and go to the course the next day and the move is there, stronger than if I just tried it for the first time. In Investment in Excellence you can relax yourself in bed from toe to head, essentially self hypnosis, and do the visualizations and get a deeper burn in the mind. It takes a while and some commitment for it to work but the experience is invaluable. Also, it may not be for everyone.
In a way I also use the scan process you describe. When I’m making a swing change I work on the change under precise focus or small scan but move out to incorporate the change into a full swing or large scan so I don’t ruin my full swing unnecessarily which I have found can happen easily.
Jim
January 8, 2019
Paul WilsonJim,
Here is the reply from David:
Jim,
Excellent. Thanks for sharing your story.
It does work when one commits to the practice and does it properly. Here is where many “drop the ball”. They try it once or twice then drop it or struggle to do it properly–then drop it.
Kudos to you!