What to Focus on When Putting
Last week, I wrote about the problems with labeling your putts. This week, I want to talk about golfers who focus too much on missing shots…
When you struggle with any part of your game, the tendency is to focus more on not missing shots or putts instead of making them.
Some of the golfers I work with get so defensive all they see when on the tee is the trouble and where not to hit the ball. And in putting, golfers imagine how they will miss a putt and what this means to the round.
Why do golfers focus on what not to do when playing a golf shot?
Often golfers focus on missing shots because of the fear of missing and the “aftermath” of missing…
Allow me to explain….
The aftermath is what you will feel about missing and how this will affect your game:
- What score will the miss take you to.
- What dropping a shot will do to your position in the match.
- Feeling embarrassed for missing an easy putt or shot.
- Wondering if your round is going to blow up.
- Feeling frustrated with missing.
As you can see, the aftermath of missing focuses your mind on all the wrong things: the outcome and how painful missing is…
This leads to tension, worry, and second-guessing while over the ball.
How can you focus on making instead of missing?
Related Article: Why The Last Thought When Putting Is Critical
First, you want to define a routine for every shot: putting, chipping, and full shot as these will vary depending on the shot.
For each routine, you want to define what’s important to focus on and help you be in the moment.
For example, in putting:
- Read the Green
- Pick a line or target
- Rehearse the putt in your mind
- Feel the distance with practice strokes
- Focus on the target/line
- React to the image of the target/line
But defining your routine is just half the battle…
The next step is to immerse yourself in these important cues only. This is where your focus comes in especially at the end of your routine:
Are you focused on hitting the ball to your target or thinking about missing?
Here’s the Plan:
Plan A: Only focus on where you want the ball to go.
Plan B: Stop and refocus if you start to think about missing.
Check out “Breaking The Yips Cycle” and learn how to let go of the fear of missing and how to overcome the embarrassment your feel:
Overcome The Yips and Enjoy Golf Again!
Golfers, do you suffer from:
- Anxiety, tension and over control of the stroke or swing?
- Performance anxiety about what others will think?
- Inability to wing the club freely on the course, despite the fact that you can in practice?
Check out: Breaking the Yips Cycle
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Instructors: Learn how to give your students the mental game edge.
Coaches: Help your team members play with freedom instead of fear or tension.
Breaking The Yips Cycle: How to Putt, Chip, And Pitch Freely and Enjoy Playing Golf Again
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