Question:
I'm 56, a 7 handicap, and golf every day. Lately, I've had trouble starting the back swing. I waggle or move the club up and down and just can't seem to get ready to take the club back. I stand over the ball too long before I swing the club. It's really strange because I have no problem hitting balls into the practice net or imagining that a dandelion is a golf ball. No hesitation at all initiating the swing. But as soon as I step up to hit a "real" shot the trouble begins. I'd sure like to just get up to the ball and begin the swing. I wonder if this is similar at all to the yips. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Answer:
Thank you for your question. Freezing over the ball is a common agony that all golfers share at one time or another. This is somewhat akin to a "system overload", where the player may become overwhelmed by technical thoughts and the desire to bring them all together in one perfect swing. Many golfers try to play with the intent of not thinking technical thoughts over the ball. Is this realistic? I don't think so!
Try the following left-brain/right-brain drill to help free yourself from technical blocks on the course:
- Place 4 clubs down on the ground and make a box at the position your stance over the ball would be. This will represent your right brain (thinking/doing) zone.
- Start your pre-shot routine by standing behind the ball, outside the box. Face the target and visualize your ideal ball flight to this point. This is the left brain (analytical) zone, where you can practice your takeaway, while consciously focusing on technique (ie: what body part is starting the swing; torso is rotating, keeping the club between your arms, etc). Complete this exercise behind the ball 2 times, watching the target the entire time.
- Now, step into your box (right brain zone), look at the target once and hit the ball.
The main key to this exercise is: once you step into the box, let the technical thoughts go and just swing. Once you have practiced this on the range, you can transfer this pre-shot routine to the course, visualizing the box.
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