Dear David ,Fine run up to have positive thinking .Now could you please givre us a lecture on how to ” self hypnotize ” yourself.By that I mean rehearsing in your mind before playing on the course your game ,hole by hole ,shot by shot ,for example the day before ,when lying in your bed ,before you go to sleep. This is something that champion skiers do before a downhill race !
G’day David,
I like your quiet little talks.
I think, most of the time, I pick a target – yet that “don’t go right on the 15th” creeps in. I tell new players on that hole that I aim at a particular tree up the left side because, the slope takes the ball to the right and, when the wind is blowing from the south (left) the ball can disappear right.
Would I be making a double cross by saying “aim at that tree” knowing why?
Also, do I say “I want to be lean and trim” instead of “I don’t want to be plump”?
Well…interesting question. Here’s what I see a lot. When a golfer aims at another target like you describe–they do it TO AVOID DOING SOMETHING ELSE–and this can cause the “double-cross (as you put so well).
The mind know you’re trying to “trick it” so the “stay away from” thought is still percolating underneath and it can cause problems.
If it works for you–then by all means keep doing it.
If, however, it doesn’t–stop the “tricks” and simply tell yourself WHAT YOU DO INTEND/EXPECT.
“I am lean”, right – a more positive statement.
Also, “My ball is going to land there” instead of “Aim at that tree to avoid going over there”.
Yesterday, we had ‘that wind’ I aimed left and got what I wanted – partly because I concentrated on executing the shot precisely – no room for other thoughts.
Thanks David for the positive message I’m trying to do this every time I play. Its very powerful and very effective now applying it is the challenge lol. Mark H.
David problem i have is getting to good finish on my golf swing , my practise swings are nice and smooth and get to good finish , tell my self nice easy swing and get to the finish on my shots,but once i get over the ball i seem to find my self forgetting about the get to finish thought and it changes to seeing where ball is going and i often dont get to finish swing, any thoughts on how get my nice practise swing into my ball hitting swing. when hitting ball do not think i am thinking negative thoughts.thanks
Great tip, as you say not only in golf but many things in life. Knowing what you want with clarity is something I am working on. Like the earlier comment about imagery. I would like to hear more on that.
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10 Responses to “What You Do Not Want”
February 26, 2013
RaymondCHASTELDear David ,Fine run up to have positive thinking .Now could you please givre us a lecture on how to ” self hypnotize ” yourself.By that I mean rehearsing in your mind before playing on the course your game ,hole by hole ,shot by shot ,for example the day before ,when lying in your bed ,before you go to sleep. This is something that champion skiers do before a downhill race !
February 27, 2013
David BreslowHi Raymond,
Sure–it will be limited of course but I’ll see if there is already an imagery video on this site…if not…I’ll whip one up.
Most athletes do this–and in truth, so do actors, entertainers, public speakers and so on.
Everyone can and should!
February 26, 2013
BenG’day David,
I like your quiet little talks.
I think, most of the time, I pick a target – yet that “don’t go right on the 15th” creeps in. I tell new players on that hole that I aim at a particular tree up the left side because, the slope takes the ball to the right and, when the wind is blowing from the south (left) the ball can disappear right.
Would I be making a double cross by saying “aim at that tree” knowing why?
Also, do I say “I want to be lean and trim” instead of “I don’t want to be plump”?
February 27, 2013
David BreslowHi Ben,
G’day to you!
Well…interesting question. Here’s what I see a lot. When a golfer aims at another target like you describe–they do it TO AVOID DOING SOMETHING ELSE–and this can cause the “double-cross (as you put so well).
The mind know you’re trying to “trick it” so the “stay away from” thought is still percolating underneath and it can cause problems.
If it works for you–then by all means keep doing it.
If, however, it doesn’t–stop the “tricks” and simply tell yourself WHAT YOU DO INTEND/EXPECT.
“Also, do I say
March 2, 2013
Ben“I am lean”, right – a more positive statement.
Also, “My ball is going to land there” instead of “Aim at that tree to avoid going over there”.
Yesterday, we had ‘that wind’ I aimed left and got what I wanted – partly because I concentrated on executing the shot precisely – no room for other thoughts.
March 3, 2013
David BreslowHi Ben!
That’s great! Nice work…well done. Keep on rolling…
June 30, 2015
RaymondCHASTELVery good lecture ,Dave ,thank you .You have to ” want ” something eargerly to get it ,not just faintly .
You have to ” love ” what you want .
August 10, 2015
MarkHancockThanks David for the positive message I’m trying to do this every time I play. Its very powerful and very effective now applying it is the challenge lol. Mark H.
August 13, 2015
golfer99David problem i have is getting to good finish on my golf swing , my practise swings are nice and smooth and get to good finish , tell my self nice easy swing and get to the finish on my shots,but once i get over the ball i seem to find my self forgetting about the get to finish thought and it changes to seeing where ball is going and i often dont get to finish swing, any thoughts on how get my nice practise swing into my ball hitting swing. when hitting ball do not think i am thinking negative thoughts.thanks
August 22, 2018
PhilipBaloghGreat tip, as you say not only in golf but many things in life. Knowing what you want with clarity is something I am working on. Like the earlier comment about imagery. I would like to hear more on that.