Hints For Better Tempo

Very interesting book.  Different people react differently to it when they read it, even though it helps all people, but it helps in different ways. Gallwey's writings resonate immediately with right brained golfers because their minds work normally in the same way as his teachings, and they get immediate validation.  However, if they take his teachings to literally, they might ignore improving on their mechanics, which can lead  to feeling a swing that is more in their imagination than within their actual abilities.  With left-brained golfers, the key is find ways of adding right brained learning and performing  to his/her left brained learning and performing patterns.  For them, feeling a swing that is actually within their capabilities may be a foreign thought.

As in most things in life, there is no "one size fits all."  Everyone has a different journey, but there are many things in common. 

Thanks Surge, you helped me so much last week, with the grip, im doing so much bette, I got into a rut, im a right hand player, I was pointing my left hand v to my right shoulder, so wrong!!!   Your video last week helped me so much, how I ever started that, I will never know???  This is my 5th year of playing, as I told you, some how, I started that, why, i don't know???  But, the most important thing is im out of it,,,,three days in a row, 47, I know, that is not the best, but for me, it is better, im 65, so, started when I was 60......anyway, thanks so much,,,,im going to get that 47, down to at least 42,,,,,I wonder why, we let ourselves get into bad habits...????  thanks

Perhaps Charlie will post something to help explain the difference between our two types and the excution of the swing.

Hi Marilyn, its good to see that like me you are also continually improving thanks to the Surge.  A tip for you when you are having a good 9 holes and you want to avoid the nerves and lose tempo is to play each hole on its merits and don't add up your score until after the 9th. You might surprise yourself with a 39!  Regards, Craig

Of course, it's actually Jimi Hendrix, but we won't be picky. ;-) You guys should check out Wolfgang's Vault, it's a site with recordings of a lot of concerts from the 60s through the 90s.

Maybe you'll even find something you can put on an iPod as a tempo song (just to get back to the subject). ;-)

Amos, congratulations on the consistency of your rounds.sounds like your becoming quite the chipping machine as well. I hope to get in some range time this weekend and possibly a round as well depending on our summer rain pattern.Since I am currently without my swingrite, I spent some quality time with Josh as both worked on our putting this evening.

It was Robert, especially with my little man there to help. He was the bubble-wrap removal specialist.Of course, as I was swapping clubs & bags with the clubs I had been using he had to talk me out of a couple for his bag,lol.During the process I found an old Wilson X30 plus the old man had count down for Michael and let him bag that as well.He actually hit it pretty well outside during our daily practice session.
I provided a near comprehensive break down of my range session on the Long Distance Fitting page,btw.

Tina, Thanks for the update on meeting with John. I haven't heard back from him about any definite day or time. I notified him that the 16th was a good day for me and any time which worked for him was fine with me. Still waiting on his response. He made 3 and 4 hybrids with my set, and I am considering getting a 2 Hybrid from him also. Other than that, just a check up with the new clubs compared to the old ones (stats wise).

Thanks for the reading recommendations. I think it will become a winter project to get through two or three good books on the mental side of the game.  I will check these two out on line.

u r the man surg

True Amos. We haven't had one of those radical thunder and lightning days in quite a while. 

Bron-Yr-Aur works for me or anything by ACcaDaCca, old or new.

Hello Fellow Surgites,
I'm happy to report that after my late morning nap, Josh woke me up way to early, Leisa awoke me about 12:30pm to tell me that the Little Brown truck was pulling the lane. Like a kid at Christmas I  excitedly went to met the driver on the front porch but Josh beat me to him,lol. Anyway, My new clubs are here, they look absolutely marvelous. Josh & I unpacked them and thanks for those bonus gifts,Doc, you made his day. Then he & I and carried my 9 iron out on the yard along with his lynx metal and hit a few pitches. Yeah, I know your wondering, Honey did accompany us but after nearly kissing the swingrite, she was very well behaved.I hit about 20 pitches with it and from the grass pattern all but one seemed centered on the face, the other slightly towards the heel.Nice ball flight & trajectory and pretty much at target.
 So now that I have pacified Josh with our daily practice,as soon as I finish this sandwich I'm going to try and beat this afternoon's rain to Limestone Springs and try them out on the range.
I'll report back later on that session.
 Doc, thanks again, I love them already. I'll make my next report fittingly on Doc's new posting on long distance fitting. I'm saving that viewing until I get back home.
Happy Golfing

listen to tunes whilst playing !!! nooooooo. i have enough to try to remember without humming the blue danube. on a different note  i videoed my swing for the first time today. jeeeez what a mess ! i was convinced i was vertical but i am way in the sbg. i also seem to start the club way on the outside of the aiming line, then i have some weird loop to try and get back on line. to be honest i ts amazing i seem to hit the ball reasonably straight.with the irons at least. its certainly been an eye-opener. back to the drawing board for me.

T Medley--I sent you something to your Youtube inbox that I wrote up on what a psychologist might say about your post on focus and Robert F's post on needing to listen to a tune.  Can you review it and see if it is approprite to the discussion chain?  If you haven't done this before, log into your Youtube account, click on your user name to get the drop down menu, and click Inbox.  If I sent it to your correct user name, it should be there.  I sent it to Steve and Robert F to review, so if you don't find it, I can go with their recommendations.

Charlie, I have not forgotten or ignored your post. I have just been very busy of late trying to make time for everyone and everything demanding my time. I hope to check out your UTube post to me later tonight. Thanks for taking the time. I will get back to you when I have looked it over. 

What is rain. In the Phoenix area we get flying dirt. Sometimes a little water to make sure the cars are as dirty as possible.

I'll posts something later today.  I'm on my way to play a round.  Anxious to see if I can put two consecutive good rounds together to see if what I think are fixes are actually fixes, or if I just had a good day yesterday, flaws and all.  Too often, I think I have something fixed, only to find out that it was temporary.

Robert F--thought I would give you your laugh for the day by describing how an analytical, left brained person rehearses tempo.  As you might recall, I use a metronome app on my droid phone.  I try different tempos.  When I find one that works, I match it up to the metronome to get the beats per minute.  At first, I would use the metronome at the range to get the tempo established in my mind.

I could have used it on the course with headphones, but it would be too much trouble, so I converted beats per minute to beats in five seconds, so now I can use my watch to get my "best" tempo but just sounding out the beats per five seconds.  From the way that conversations have been going on the subject of tempo, I would guess that this isn't a process that many would have the patience to use, but it works fine for me.  I use a different tempo for lag putts, and this method helps me switch between the two tempos.

 Heading out to Snow Mountain @ Piaute. that will be a name many of you will soon become very familiar  with. Great set up with three Pete Dye golf Courses. Hope to have good report for you all later. We have potential rain and flash flood warnings in the Vegas Valley this afternoon. Let it rain but spare me the lightning please..

It is a shock, isn't it? Drilling the positions in front of a mirror helps, and the laser drill "running the toe line" really lets you know where your club shaft is pointing.

James Marshall Hendrix, the debate about the great rock guitarists (IMHO) always came down to who was No. 2 - Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Brian May, George Harrison, Ted Nugent, Tony Iommi. etc, etc, etc, et al.   There was no debate about who was numero uno.

Charlie, I have finally looked over your UTube post to me, along with the above comments. Thanks.

I find the topic of practice in the same mind set, same stimuli, very intriguing. It would explain a lot of the very many differences between many peoples practice swings and the ones through the ball. I for one admit, the ball does change my mind set and often my swing as well.

It also helps explain why some do so well at the range, but lousy on the course.

Your last sentence above, is also very fittingly applied to me. When I get tired, my feel definitely goes out the window, down the street, and into the dumpster.

These are things I definitely need to work on from the mind body connection stand points.

I played today trying to keep close attention to one aspect. My mental focus as relative to the shot at hand. I noticed that every bad or improper shot, be it target line, ball contact, distance, etc, was due to a loss of focus and a particular distracting thought or noise during my actual swing. I did not mishit any shot where my focus remained within a quiet mind. I may have to start wearing ear plugs and blinders when golfing, but, how do I learn to quiet my own mind, all of the time.

I will be spending a lot of time and effort on this topic over the coming winter.

Yeah, I heard about that little bit of dust that blew around the other day. I'm pretty confused by this whole rain thing up here in Vegas, too, but I'm not complaining. Another advantage of using Chamois grips is that they don't get slippery when wet.

Boogm:

   I find chipping to be similar to putting in that "When I'm hot, I'm hot -- when I'm not, I'm not"
Currently, on my home course at least, I seem to be in the midst of a "heat wave"

   Now to eliminate those double and triple bogies -- and maybe "turn a few boiges into pars"  - SHOULD be "do-able" LOL 

  Amos

Maybe I should switch back to "Living on a Prayer"?

hi robert. it sure is. the other thing i noticed is my head seems to dip down 3 or 4 inches. not sure why.if i knew how to i'd put video up so u could all have a laugh.

Hi T,
I'm shooting for 10 am, as the range in Mansfield doesn't open till then.  I'm going to check with a friend in Ashland, perhaps he knows of a course with a range that might open a bit sooner.  By noon the winds tend to pick up, which is not good for fitting.
I think you were right in getting a full set to start; I had difficulty because the fitted clubs felt so different from my old clubs; they may yet be the right weight; Saturday's outing should provide the answers.   I've also REALLY been struggling with my swing, which doesn't help when I'm trying to get clubs to fit.
My driver, woods and hybrids will be Wishon but not the ones you got; he has a different set for me to try; they are all solid colored, which I prefer over 2 tone (the things we learn at fittings)!
Pray for good weather Saturday!
Tina

Hm tempo
I personally never really think about it to much. I was at the range over the winter and one of the local shops were there playing with the new track man they purchased for there shop and were having people hit shots trying it out and I hit about 20 shots and my tempo was pretty the same on every shot that I hit. The music I listen to would not be very good for tempo. Ozzy Osbourn, Led Zepplin, ACDC etc.

I try to not think a lot on the course when I am playing around only about the shot at hand. With me to much thinking on the course is like Surge said putting a gun to your head. LOL    

Robert F--replying here to your previous post of setting up with the club slightly inside the toe line because I couldn't find the old post.  How did it work?  Here's what I found out about my set-up.  Remember how I was swinging outward  and contacting the ball about an inch toward the heel due to my hands being too close to my things at set-up?  I played several times using two "fixes."  One was to back off the ball and set up with the driver head completely inside the target line, and the other was to setup with my hands further out, where they should be.  I wish that the second method was the more successful one, but I did much better with the first method.  I don't understand it.

Oh, a second thing I learned, about my putting stance.  I tried to set up with my eyes over the ball, as several putting gurus teach, and I couldn't hit my spots like I could with my old method with my eyes slightly inside the target line.  I finally figured it out--I get just a slight bit of vertigo when I position my eyes over the target line, like standing on top of a tall building and looking down, but not as much.  As soon as a adjusted my stance to my old stance, I did a lot better at hitting my spots. 

Scary how such details can h ave major effects on a round of 18, especially since we hit the driver and swing the putter so many times in a round.

One hole at a time...one of my worst mistakes,Craig, was peeking at my card around number 6 or 7 and looking good only to fall into the abyss on 8 & 9 or if  a full round be doing pretty well until I got to counting around # 14.So right before my hiatus, it was score hole coming off the green & starting each hole anew with a score of zero for the round.
Happy Golfing

I think I am somewhere near 1-2-3 , I have tried to slow my swing down as a pro said I should but it feels weird and creates swing problems. So I will stick to a steady takeaway to the top then increase speed at the bottom.

Steve--see if this makes sense or if I'm imagining things.  I had this problem of swinging over the top at times, pulling the ball straight left (I'm right handed).  The swing felt good, but the ball went left and the divot went left, around ten degrees left.  Two days ago, I weakened my right hand to the that the "V" of my right hand points to my chin,   The pulls stopped and no fades.  When I compared how the backswing felt with each right hand position, I found out that with the stronger right hand grip, my right arm did more work at times, pulling the club back, on an outside path, without me realizing it.  With the weaker right hand, it couldn't pull the club, and the left hand was allowed to take the club back, and it took it back properly with the right hand just going along for support.  Even the lifthing was more left hand than right hand.  Hmmm, I just thought of something--with the left hand/arm in control, I don't fall into the trap of throwing the club outside, which I can do if the right hand is active and in control.  I guess I should have known all this by now.

I fight the head dipping and swaying a lot, as well. That's one of the things I work on in the mirror. It also helps to try to remember to firm up the abdominal muscles when you start your swing (easier said than done for some of us who've stretched those muscles out from the inside). That may explain why I hit better shots when a cute drink cart girl drives by, though. ;-)

Tina, 10am would be fine with me. Hopefully John will contact me and let me know. I have not met with him yet in Mansfield, just the one time for fitting in Sunbury.  Keep me posted, and thanks.

I don't know, "Immigrant Song" might work okay.

I know what you mean. The good for only one day fixes. They never seem to work the next time out.

Sorry I couldn't make it. I'd have brought my 1 iron in case of lightning. ;-)

Hey T....

"I have found that my mind/brain knows what to do, When I can get myself out of it's way. "

That's good stuff, my friend.

For those who haven't seen  "Legend Of Bagger Vance" you simply must watch it,
or at least the clip where (war vet/eran & once great golfer)  Rannulph Junuh has hit it so deeply into the woods, and figures he is not only done for the day, but he is done for life. 

His caddy Bagger speaks kindly but firmly to the visibly shaking Junuh:
"TIme to come out of the shadows, Junuh...."    

And so Junuh finally gets out of his own way. He steps up, sees the way out of the forest,
focuses on that path, and the world goes away. The whole thing only takes a few seconds.

Junnuh does bring it and flies it through 1 freakin' tight corridor, and greens it. 

That shot was already in there....he just out of his own way.

Simply Golf

Thank you Surge. I was so glad to hear you say, you can't chew gum while you play. I thought I was the only one. My Thur morning league partner always chews gum and frequently offers me some. I always decline, but feel too weird to actually say, it messes my swing up. Kind of like the old joke, can't walk and chew gum at the same time. I am also one of those who, because of the many discussions of songs and phrases being used as tempo guides, have recently tried a variety of them with disastrous results of all.

I have found the need for a very, very, quiet mind when swinging a club or putter. I am so easily distracted that I need a distinct focus almost entirely based on feeling the swing of my practice stroke. The Surgism of Feel the swing, then, Swing the feel, has become my mantra, but, I must do so with a very quiet and focused mind. No music or counting, no swing thoughts, no chewing or breathing. Just take a breath, blow out slowly, then while holding my breath, Swing that feel.   I have found that my mind/brain knows what to do, When I can get myself out of it's way.

I always remember that line from the Karate Kid, "Focus Daniel-San, Best Karate still inside you". I believe that 90% or more of my bad shots are primarily due to a lack of focus. My best golf is still inside me, If I could only maintain pure focus over every shot for 18 holes. It's hard to explain to those unfamiliar with the feeling, but it's almost like going into an altered state of  quiet meditation or something similar, for that very brief period. The problem is, the slightest distraction, internally or externally pulls me out of it immediately. I need to learn how to close out the internal and especially external stimuli.

I am going to have to get more involved in the mental side of the game and learn how to stay centered and focused. My best golf is still inside me, Somewhere!

T Medley--glad you liked the post.  Don't forget a previous post--focus also calls for finding the right level of mental energy where you are not too low (lethargic) and not too high (edgy).  I heard one sports psychologist say that at the ideal level of mental energy, you are simultaneously calm and energized, a difficult state to get into.  Usually, the best we can do is to try to get as close as we can to the idea.

Could someone please advise me as after not playing golf for a couple of weeks on holiday I have gone back to an old habit of coming over the top.Went for a lesson to try correct it but he said I was too steep etc, and wanted me to adapt a rotational swing.It was no help and I have now started slicing trying to correct the over the top.Helpful comments would be appreciated as its a big game at our club tomorrow.Cheers

Steve, actually sounds like some of my rounds of old as well.Hence, my selection :)

T Medley--Responding to your request, commenting on what you posted on focus and Robert F's post on needing to be listening to a tune.  I'm afraid it is rather long--it isn't a simple subject.

Some people have a natural ability to sharply focus their attention on a task.  Perhaps T Medley is not one of these extreme individuals but has learned that he has make an effort to turn his attention inwardly and consciously close out distractions.  This comes under the topic of controling the flow of psychic (mental) energy.
Robert F’s comments are more difficult to speculate on.  The part about needing a tune to keep his conscious mind busy may be an indication of someone who tends to be analytical and needs to prevent the analytical mind from taking over from the holistic mind, which also encompasses visual and motor imagery.   It would seem that music might be somewhat distracting, but it also might be that any distraction from the music would be far less detrimental to Robert F than the distracting thoughts that would creep in without the music.
A side thought, but related.  Spports psychologists say that you have to practice in the same mind-set as in actual performance so that the mental scripts that you develop to govern biomechanical actions are the same or very similar in each domain—practice and performance.  If you don’t, then even if your swings are good in practice, you may not be able to activate those scripts in actual play since the stimuli may be different.  This also explains why your actual swing may be different from your practice swing—the stimuli to the brain may be different and evoke a different script.  That’s why the presence of the ball may change your swing if it changes the stimuli to your brain.
But, neuroscientists also tell us that we have to either start with getting the right mechanics and overlaying it with a smooth holistic swing, or we have to add the correct mechanics to our smooth, well tempoed swings.  One way or another, we have to acquire the two parts, like a jazz musician has to acquire technique and artistry.   Experts in sports learning also tell us that in order to play when tired, you have to have an understanding of proper mechanics because when you are tired, feel might go out the window.

Thanks, Surge! I started to realize recently that I have more trouble at our muni range when I'm too close to the club house because it's on the restaurant side and they always have music playing. I don't mind music, except that most of it is NOT the same tempo as the song I use. :)

Also, I actually made a CD that has only my tempo song on it so in the car when I'm driving to play, I can listen to that over and over and not get caught with other music that's the wrong tempo.

Terry, I can identify with what your saying. I ocassionally get into that zone and feeling where it's all just right. My challenge is not applying #5 and so what do the next one right. I get a little too keyed up or the adrialin rush that comes with a great shot or from a poor shot. Staying even keel is so important. Last time out I had a drive and an over all super "hole" that lead to an easy par. I couldn't keep it together and i double googied the next two in a row. What otherwise would have been a decent to good round became a disapointing result. I am working on maintaining that level emotion state that will keep me in a state of peace and quiet over the ball not allowing my mind and emotions to "take over".