We all want to build a repeatable golf swing…but there are inherent challenges!
There are many distractions when it comes to this amazing and difficult game of golf. You’re playing partners may be too slow, they may play to fast or they just may be in your ear all day.
You can’t keep up with the group in front of you, the group behind you wants to play through, it goes on and on. Let’s get straight to the point.
How to Build a Repeatable Golf Swing
Use Golf Swing Keywords to Improve Focus
It’s important to have keywords or word triggers of some sort that you can consistently use to help you focus on the golf course.
Establishing your keyword sequence can take time to develop just like your golf swing took years to develop.
It will change many times over the years so be patient with the process as it develops. Always keep simplifying and minimizing the wording as you progress.
A Perfect Golf Swing
I’m going to use a good friend of mine as a case study for clarity. Using my friend Sime here is an example. The timing could not be more perfect as he’s making an attempt at several very positive swing changes. We’re all familiar with making changes so it’s easy to relate.
Improving Your Golf Swing
The purpose of this article it’s to discuss of course how to focus better while practicing and playing golf.
What we are presented with now is a case study of someone who has some new focus points. He’s making some changes.
What we all must establish when we are making a change is to identify key thoughts or words we can associate with those thoughts.
One quick note, this doesn’t only apply to those making changes to their swing. If you’re not making changes that’s perfectly fine this relates to you as well. You can also identify or put simple words to your own process.
Change Can Be Confusing
In this case Sime is making several changes, some set up changes, a physical change of being more relaxed in the set up and swing, then as a result some slight in motion swing changes will occur.
For this case it’s a perfect example as Sime has three sections of change.
There are three new areas of focus, which is a lot.
They are… set up, grip pressure & swing.
All are going to need wording associated with them to establish a routine.
Your Golf Swing…a New Outlook
Making even slight changes can lead to some erratic ball flights. When making more wholesale change it’s important to get your thoughts in sequential order as soon as possible. Getting your thoughts in sequential order, also known as, having a routine is very important.
“P” Words to Focus on Improving Your Golf Swing
In this case study I’m going to apply three words for each section of change. The words applied to each area of change are, posture, pressure and path.
These guiding words need to be simple, easily remembered & easily relate to each section of change. I like the fact that all three words begin with P, it creates a nice flow from one word to the next and is easily remembered.
This flow of words we want to translate nicely into our process. When we do, the posture, pressure & path, the process adopts a nice flow.
1)Posture
Let’s start with posture, we’ll break down each section then put it altogether. The posture changes in this case are:
1a) slight knee bend 1b) nice straight back tilting forward, 1c) straight down arm hang with all clubs…slightly reached forwarded with driver.
2)Pressure
We’re using the word pressure to keep the P word theme flowing. Pressure in this case is your keyword for the relaxation process. The pressure / relaxation process that Sime’s working on is:
2a) Relax the hand pressure on the handle 3 out of 10 (0 being no pressure to 10 being tight)
2b) Fore arm muscles are soft and relaxed
2c) Shoulder muscles and large back muscles completely relaxed
2d) Standing in perfect balance…feeling completely relaxed through out
3)Path
Path now refers do your in motion thought. Each persons in motion thought may be different but identifying a keyword for your backswing can reap huge rewards.
Words for backswing may be, slow, tuck elbow or relax, whatever the word may be try keeping it to one word and two at max.
The golf swing even when relaxed happens very quickly so we can’t be too wordy here.
For the downswing the word maybe transfer, shift, club online or relax. Whatever your word for the backswing & your word for downswing may be… is not as important as establishing a word for each.
Making your thought back and down your own is what’s important.
Use words that make a connection with you. In the case here for Sime the in motion thoughts are:
3a) Swing the club head on the plane line… back
3b) Swing the club head on the plane line…down
Simplify Golf Keywords to Improve Focus
We now have 3 key words posture, pressure & path and a few details or a, b, c’s embedded within our keywords. It’s time to reduce the wording now to intensify the focus on each. The reduction of wording would look something like this.
1) Posture
1a) slight knee bend
1b) back straight
1c) arm hang
Always done in same order… always done with the same words…feel your posture…visualize yourself postured up.
DONE!! MOVE ON!
2) Pressure
2a) hands, relaxed
2b) forearms soft & relaxed
2c) shoulders & back completely tension free
2d) in balance…completely relaxed thru out entire body & being
You’ll notice I’m much more wordy with the relaxation stage. It’s a little more complex stage as it’s difficult to relax to the proper level or to get relaxed enough. So the wording to yourself has to be a little more direct.
Again always the same words… always the same order. Feel the relaxation don’t just say the words….Feel it!
DONE!! MOVE ON!
3) Path
3a) line back
3b) line down
Keywords are simple and direct and create a visual image. You can visualize the plane line back and plane line down.
It’s important to have a back swing and down swing keyword that you can connect to…something that’s easy to visualize yourself doing.
Again always the same words…always the same order. Feel your swing thought… visualize your keywords happening!
DONE…NICE FLIGHT
Practice Golf… a ton!!
We’re going to simplify one more step in a minute, but with much practice these keywords will become meaningful to you.
As an example 2a) which is relax your hands in time you just say to yourself “hands” you’ll know to relax your hands and to what level.
At 3a) which is plain line back, you’ll have many practice reps in. Your visualization and wording of line back can simply transform to “line” you’ll know exactly the meaning and feel.
So with a great deal of practice the goal is always to keep weeding out the words to simplify the focus for each of the three steps.
Keeping your process of each step always in the same order and always using the same words we should be able to simplify the process to look something like this:
Your Golf Routine Now Established
A finished routine with minimal wording would look something like this, each step should means something to you…do each step well:
Always the Same Order…Always the Same Words
1)Posture -Knees -back -arms
2)Pressure
-hands -forearms -shoulders & back -in balance, completely relaxed thru out entire being
3)Path -line -line
Enjoy the Process…New Golf Swing
At this point you have a posture routine, a pre-hit routine of relaxing & and an in motion routine. What’s important to remember is it takes some time and reps. Continue to put in the reps, as you do the wording will get more refined and less wordy. The key in the end is to have a solid routine with very few keywords but you follow the wording you have established very clearly.
A simple word for your set up position that enables you to structure up quickly and effectively. Yet another key word to set your body and mind into a state of complete relaxation. Finally a laser focused word to guide your backswing and another to guide your downswing.
Remember to Make a Routine of Keywords for Yourself
Your keywords may be much different than those shown here.
What is important is to establish keywords within the posture, pressure & path structure that you can relate to, remember and execute.
Happy golfing friends!
