On The Tee with Hank Johnson

SWING FEEL vs SWING THOUGHT

Swing thoughts are very necessary for learning. They are not very effective for performing in competition. Golf swings that are the most effective in competition have been practiced into habit and function without conscious direction by the brain.

KEY: You will probably never play your best golf with anything that you have to remember to do. You just have to remember to practice until reminding yourself of what to do is no longer necessary.

The following is from Readings in Motor Learning by Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, PA. Learning in Sports, Physiology of Motor Learning.

“…..willed movements which are new and unfamiliar always require conscious thought. They are performed at first with more or less conscious attention to the details of their execution. Once mastered, they operate automatically. Conscious introspection at this stage may even disrupt the effectiveness of an established pattern. After an act has become automatic, it is less well performed if it must first be considered and analyzed.”

Implication. Conscious attention to details of an automated action will reduce the efficiency/economy of that action. There is a time BEFORE a contest when conscious attention to details of technique at practice need to cease so that preparation can be perceived by an athlete as consisting of “good feeling” techniques that are performed automatically.

Application. Signals from the brain (thoughts) stimulate muscle activity (movements) which in turn stimulate a kinesthetic awareness (feel) that accompanies the (movements).

Once “what it feels like” is established, the (feel) can be used to recreate the (movements) without (thought). This allows the desired movements to become automatic and automatic movements are much more dependable under the stress of competition.

Hank Johnson, PGA
September 8, 2008

MATCH PLAY
It’s still you against you!

The objective in match play is the same as in stroke play. It’s to play YOUR game as well as you can. While there may be a specific opponent, the competition is still you against the golf course and yourself.

It’s usually not helpful to get too caught up in how you feel about your opponent. It’s a distraction that may get your emotions going and interfere with you ability to focus and make good decisions.

It’s important to play your own game. The great Bobby Jones, perhaps the best match play golfer of all time discovered that he was better off just trying to “ beat old man par “.

Don’t get emotional, it’s not personal. Emotion is the enemy of focus and leads to poor decision making and ultimately to poor play.

Getting the match started: 18 hole matches are a sprint. Getting off to a good start by winning a couple of early holes puts momentum on your side. If, however you find yourself behind in the match early, don’t panic. Just play your game and let the outcome take care of itself.

Expect your opponent to play well. Don’t make the mistake of waiting for them to lose. Especially on the green, expect them to make every put. That way you won’t have a “culture shock” when they actually do.

Expect to have to putt out every putt. If one is conceded by your opponent it will just be a pleasant surprise.

Keep momentum on your side. Put the accelerator all the way to the floor and don’t let it up until you opponent congratulates you for winning. Bobby Jones very seldom ever knew exactly how his matches stood. That’s not a bad plan for you.

Hank Johnson, PGA
September 8, 2008

Three Keys for Stress Free Golf
Pressure is an inherent part of golf and is not necessarily a bad thing . . . unless it becomes stress. Then it becomes a barrier to good golf performance.
A player will always play their best golf when they are experiencing a low level of stress.
There are three strategic things that you can do to lower the level of stress that you encounter during play.
1. Pick “big” targets.
When an architect designs a course, he gives it character with different design elements. A bunker to pinch a fairway in to create a smaller landing area. Bunkers and other hazards to narrow the approach to a green. Small “fingers” as a part of a green complex to create small and difficult areas to get to. Avoiding these “small” targets in favor of bigger targets makes shots easier and lowers stress.

2. Use “friendly” clubs.
Let’s face it. There are certain clubs in your set that don’t like your golf swing. They are difficult for you to hit because of the particular characteristics of your swing. These are “red light” clubs and should be avoided in play on the course. Using them just adds stress and make you more likely to misplay shots with them.

3. Play “comfortable” shots.
Every player has certain shots that they are more comfortable playing. A fade rather than a draw. A low ball flight rather than a high ball flight, etc. Create a strategy that takes advantage of the shots you are good at and avoids the shots you are uncomfortable with.

Applying these three principles will reduce the level of stress you feel on the course and allow you to play with a higher level of confidence.


Hank Johnson, PGA
August 29, 2008

Give You Game Some Gass – GASS

One of the keys to effective and consistent golf is a precise and well practiced pre shot routine.
Highly skilled players depend on this routine especially under pressure. It helps them start every shot from the same fundamentally correct position.
The elements of a good routine are Grip, Aim and Stance followed by the Swing.
The Grip determines how effectively the club can be swung around the body by the arms and pivot. It also determines whether the clubface can be allowed to return to the preselected position for impact. In my opinion the Grip is the number one fundamental in golf.
Aim is next and refers to the direction in which the clubface points at address. The whole address position is built off the aim of the clubface. This simple sounding pre scoring element is actually very difficult to do consistently and must be continually practiced and monitored.
Stance is the final part of the address routine and includes body alignment, ball position and posture. A free and unrestricted motion requires good posture for efficient body function. Proper ball position and alignment of the body eliminates the need for over control and manipulation of the club through impact with the ball.
Spend some practice time making a good address routine a habit and you will give your game some GASS.

Hank Johnson, PGA
August 29, 2008