from practice tee to course

Question
QUESTION: John-Thank you again for the elbow info.  I practiced today and hit the ball swell
(ly). Proceeded to the course where I played unswell (ly).  what are some tricks to
moving the practice swing to the course.  I tend to tighten (cut short)  the swing
and hit it thin or even top the ball.  Thanks, Gene

ANSWER: Gene:  When one plays, the concentration is so intense that the player unwittingly resorts to what's comfortable.  You haven't given yourself the chance to get comfortable with the "new" setup.

A good way to take it from the practice tee to the course is to work on a very specific pre-shot routine that puts you in a dynamically balanced position.  This will help divert your attention to the process as opposed to the results.  When you get to the course and concentrate on performing the pre-shot routine exactly as you've practiced it, you'll be able to perform better with the new setup.

Your last sentence bears out what I've said as you hit the ball well in practice and reverted to your old shot pattern in play.  By focusing on the process in both practice and play, eventually the two different mind sets will converge and you'll see marked improvement on the course.

Keep in mind people like Tiger who make swing changes will hit 1000's of balls just so it becomes 2nd nature on the course.  All you need to do is give it some time to be comfortable.  Another thing to consider is there are over 200 muscles at work to hit a golf ball and when you change your setup, there's a bit of confusion as they are forced to work in a different manner.  It takes some time for all those muscles to work together, so be patient.  Chances are you'll see improvement in small increments.

Be sure to monitor your new position to insure you're still on track.  The tendency is for people to begin feeling comfortable with the newness and discover the feeling is because they begin reverting back to the old.

Good luck Gene; keep me posted on your progress if you wish; I'd enjoy hearing of it.  [email protected]

John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: John-You are so nice!  I practiced with the new setup and I see that however I
do it, I tighten up somewhere along the swing and hit all the shots thin.  I
found a remedy for this.  And I wonder if it is ok to go with a remedy as the
remedy.  I aim (put the club down and concentrate) at a spot outside of the
ball.  As if there is another ball next to mine that I am trying to hit.  I then
swing for that spot and hit the ball flush (perfect as I see it).  More than not.  I
then have the confidence to swing away and  really have some outstanding
shots.  This is at the range.  Is this a way to do?  Thanks again, Gene

Answer
Gene:  You don't specify where this spot is.  If it's in front of the ball, I recommend that.  If it's either to the inside or outside of the ball, I would say it is good as a temporary fix but I would double check the set up to make sure that once you've bent from the hips, flexed the knees slightly, that you're playing the ball far enough from you to allow the arms to hang from the shoulders.  I do like your new system for another reason and that is that it distracts you from the results and should help you relax during the swing.

So, yes, use it on the course.  And, good luck once more.

John