Coach Paul, I like this tip. I will definitely begin doing this. I noticed you are using an M1 Driver. What length do you have it adjusted to? I am considering upgrading to the new M series myself.
That’s the M1 440cc. It’s 45″ with the head sitting on the ground. Great driver. Be careful not to get too long. You can actually get them so long you will lose distance. Has to be right for your swing. You can’t go wrong with that or the M2
Paul – this lesson /tip was very helpful and forces me to just relax and make a good (powerless arms) swing, without worrying about distance. I admit, prior to this tip, I had a hard time making the powerless arms swing actually work off the tee. Concentrating on this tip and proper execution takes the pressure off and I can’t wait to try it.
In a previous video you used the phrase “stop thinking distance thoughts”.
I use that the other day playing nine holes and it really kept me thinking “work on your Technique/Tempo” and the ball with go where you need it. (Mostly 🙂
I usually try finding an intermediate target. Next time, I’m looking forward to trying my target to be the “palm tree 1000 yards away” example. Makes a good visual for me.
Yes, you don’t want to be thinking distance out there if you are not experienced. Even experienced players at times should not be thinking about it either. They already have distance.
The intermediate target in front of the ball is fine and necessary to align the clubface but once people do this they are usually looking in the fairway to hit the ball a specific distance. This is what you should not be doing. This gets you hitting. Think I am going to hit the fairway. As I said in the tip, you keep hitting fairways and you will gain confidence. Confidence breeds distance. Give it try.
Hi Paul, Do you have a tip on how to aim ? I’m consistently aimed about 10 to 15 yards right of where I think I am. It’s so frustrating to hit a pin high shot and have a 40 foot putt. Or be in the bunker. Thanks!
Ben
Alignment is the most important lesson in golf. Can’t believe you haven’t watched any of my tip on it. Not fun hitting it offline. In your case you are aimed right and hitting it right. These are perfect shots you are hitting. You just don’t realize it. Follow the tips below.
Hi Paul after yesterday’s round, I realize that you are correct – I am pulling the ball. So I aim right to compensate for my pull, And then if I don’t pull it, the shot is of course going to be way right- actually a good shot- So I will use the tips above to always practice with my alignment rod so I know when I am actually hitting good shots and not simply pulling the ball to the target. Missing shots onto the green is my specialty, I cannot wait to actually hit good shots onto the green 🙂
Now you see why alignment is the most important lesson in golf? You need to know when you are hitting it well and when you are not. If not, you can then fix it. If you are seeing bad shots as good shots you will sit here forever and you will never get it.
For the sake of a few minutes to put down the stick it is well work it hitting every shot from square. You’re getting there.
Paul, i understand not thinking distance, try to hit fairways. What if for ex, no. 10 at my course is a 90 degree dogleg left. Sign on tee box, and experience, landing area 200 yards. So you have maybe 180 TO 210 area to land to give you shot at green on second shot. How do you not think distance, do take your 200 yard club, pick target in middle of landing area and just think, easy swing put it in fairway,, trust your club and not think i need to hit this great to clear corner or i dont have second shot
You are not not thinking distance forever. You are not thinking distance to hit fairways. The more fairways you hit the more confidence you get thus allowing you to swing faster gaining more distance. If you can’t hit a fairway you have no confidence so you will never hit it long and straight.
In this scenario I would do as you suggest. You know it will go 200 so swing easy and it will be there. Try to hit it 200 and you will probably miss the fairway. Trust it.
Hi Paul,
I totally agree with this idea on the driver shot. But what do you suggest for the approach shot to the green. Say for example you have 120 to 140 yards to a well protected green. So for this case if you are going for the green you know you need to carry a greenside bunker 110 yards for example, and then roll out the rest. Do you just take your “110-120” club and aim at something in the distance? What do you suggest?
Thanks,
Tom
At this stage you would be thinking hit the green not get this close to the pin. Hit more greens you get more confidence allowing you to go for the pin. If you try to go for the pin and you are not a low single digit player you will look up to see if you hit an amazing shot and you miss the green. Widen the target for a while. Hit more greens. Once you do you will get amazing confidence.
So you take your 110 club and look for the sides of the green. Then you keep the ball withing this span. If you do and hit the green you put another check in the good column. Keep putting checks in the good column and you become a good if not great golfer.
Dear Paul,
This is a copy of Tom’s Question. This is what I was interested in.
“I totally agree with this idea on the driver shot. But what do you suggest for the approach shot to the green. Say for example you have 120 to 140 yards to a well protected green. So for this case if you are going for the green you know you need to carry a greenside bunker 110 yards for example, and then roll out the rest. Do you just take your “110-120” club and aim at something in the distance? What do you suggest?”
Thanks,
Peter
At this stage you would be thinking hit the green not get this close to the pin. Hit more greens you get more confidence allowing you to go for the pin. If you try to go for the pin and you are not a low single digit player you will look up to see if you hit an amazing shot and you miss the green. Widen the target for a while. Hit more greens. Once you do you will get amazing confidence.
So you take your 110 club and look for the sides of the green. Then you keep the ball withing this span. If you do and hit the green you put another check in the good column. Keep putting checks in the good column and you become a good if not great golfer.
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17 Responses to “Playing Lesson – Choosing The Right Target”
September 24, 2017
JohnDanielyCoach Paul, I like this tip. I will definitely begin doing this. I noticed you are using an M1 Driver. What length do you have it adjusted to? I am considering upgrading to the new M series myself.
John
September 25, 2017
Paul WilsonJohn,
Thanks. Glad you like it.
That’s the M1 440cc. It’s 45″ with the head sitting on the ground. Great driver. Be careful not to get too long. You can actually get them so long you will lose distance. Has to be right for your swing. You can’t go wrong with that or the M2
September 24, 2017
PhilipBensonPaul – this lesson /tip was very helpful and forces me to just relax and make a good (powerless arms) swing, without worrying about distance. I admit, prior to this tip, I had a hard time making the powerless arms swing actually work off the tee. Concentrating on this tip and proper execution takes the pressure off and I can’t wait to try it.
September 25, 2017
Paul WilsonPhilip,
Very good. Glad you liked it. I know what people are thinking out there because I watch them as I play with them.
Stay focused. You need a different thought (this one) to get rid of the original thought.
September 29, 2017
JohnBensonIn a previous video you used the phrase “stop thinking distance thoughts”.
I use that the other day playing nine holes and it really kept me thinking “work on your Technique/Tempo” and the ball with go where you need it. (Mostly 🙂
I usually try finding an intermediate target. Next time, I’m looking forward to trying my target to be the “palm tree 1000 yards away” example. Makes a good visual for me.
September 29, 2017
Paul WilsonJohn,
Yes, you don’t want to be thinking distance out there if you are not experienced. Even experienced players at times should not be thinking about it either. They already have distance.
The intermediate target in front of the ball is fine and necessary to align the clubface but once people do this they are usually looking in the fairway to hit the ball a specific distance. This is what you should not be doing. This gets you hitting. Think I am going to hit the fairway. As I said in the tip, you keep hitting fairways and you will gain confidence. Confidence breeds distance. Give it try.
October 6, 2017
BenjaminBerryHi Paul, Do you have a tip on how to aim ? I’m consistently aimed about 10 to 15 yards right of where I think I am. It’s so frustrating to hit a pin high shot and have a 40 foot putt. Or be in the bunker. Thanks!
Ben
October 6, 2017
Paul WilsonBen,
Alignment is the most important lesson in golf. Can’t believe you haven’t watched any of my tip on it. Not fun hitting it offline. In your case you are aimed right and hitting it right. These are perfect shots you are hitting. You just don’t realize it. Follow the tips below.
Alignment: https://ignitiongolf.com/golf-alignment
How To Put Down an Alignment Stick Properly: https://ignitiongolf.com/alignment-stick-placement/
Change Clubs Change Alignment: https://ignitiongolf.com/change-clubs-change-alignment/
How To Get Perfect Alignment On the Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/perfect-alignment-on-course/
Alignment – Alternative Way To Check It: https://ignitiongolf.com/alignment-finger-forearm/
October 6, 2017
BenjaminBerryThanks Paul! You continue to be da man !
October 8, 2017
BenjaminBerryHi Paul after yesterday’s round, I realize that you are correct – I am pulling the ball. So I aim right to compensate for my pull, And then if I don’t pull it, the shot is of course going to be way right- actually a good shot- So I will use the tips above to always practice with my alignment rod so I know when I am actually hitting good shots and not simply pulling the ball to the target. Missing shots onto the green is my specialty, I cannot wait to actually hit good shots onto the green 🙂
October 9, 2017
Paul WilsonBen,
Now you see why alignment is the most important lesson in golf? You need to know when you are hitting it well and when you are not. If not, you can then fix it. If you are seeing bad shots as good shots you will sit here forever and you will never get it.
For the sake of a few minutes to put down the stick it is well work it hitting every shot from square. You’re getting there.
March 21, 2019
RandyRusinPaul, i understand not thinking distance, try to hit fairways. What if for ex, no. 10 at my course is a 90 degree dogleg left. Sign on tee box, and experience, landing area 200 yards. So you have maybe 180 TO 210 area to land to give you shot at green on second shot. How do you not think distance, do take your 200 yard club, pick target in middle of landing area and just think, easy swing put it in fairway,, trust your club and not think i need to hit this great to clear corner or i dont have second shot
March 23, 2019
Paul WilsonRandy,
You are not not thinking distance forever. You are not thinking distance to hit fairways. The more fairways you hit the more confidence you get thus allowing you to swing faster gaining more distance. If you can’t hit a fairway you have no confidence so you will never hit it long and straight.
In this scenario I would do as you suggest. You know it will go 200 so swing easy and it will be there. Try to hit it 200 and you will probably miss the fairway. Trust it.
Confidence Breeds Distance: https://ignitiongolf.com/confidence-breeds-distance/
March 21, 2019
TomPaternaHi Paul,
I totally agree with this idea on the driver shot. But what do you suggest for the approach shot to the green. Say for example you have 120 to 140 yards to a well protected green. So for this case if you are going for the green you know you need to carry a greenside bunker 110 yards for example, and then roll out the rest. Do you just take your “110-120” club and aim at something in the distance? What do you suggest?
Thanks,
Tom
March 23, 2019
Paul WilsonTom,
At this stage you would be thinking hit the green not get this close to the pin. Hit more greens you get more confidence allowing you to go for the pin. If you try to go for the pin and you are not a low single digit player you will look up to see if you hit an amazing shot and you miss the green. Widen the target for a while. Hit more greens. Once you do you will get amazing confidence.
So you take your 110 club and look for the sides of the green. Then you keep the ball withing this span. If you do and hit the green you put another check in the good column. Keep putting checks in the good column and you become a good if not great golfer.
March 22, 2019
PeterSauterDear Paul,
This is a copy of Tom’s Question. This is what I was interested in.
“I totally agree with this idea on the driver shot. But what do you suggest for the approach shot to the green. Say for example you have 120 to 140 yards to a well protected green. So for this case if you are going for the green you know you need to carry a greenside bunker 110 yards for example, and then roll out the rest. Do you just take your “110-120” club and aim at something in the distance? What do you suggest?”
Thanks,
Peter
March 23, 2019
Paul Wilsonpeter,
Here is my answer:
Tom,
At this stage you would be thinking hit the green not get this close to the pin. Hit more greens you get more confidence allowing you to go for the pin. If you try to go for the pin and you are not a low single digit player you will look up to see if you hit an amazing shot and you miss the green. Widen the target for a while. Hit more greens. Once you do you will get amazing confidence.
So you take your 110 club and look for the sides of the green. Then you keep the ball withing this span. If you do and hit the green you put another check in the good column. Keep putting checks in the good column and you become a good if not great golfer.