The mind can and should be used to play better golf but you have to lean to use it correctly. It should be your greatest weapon but can just as easily become your greatest weakness.

I recently heard that every shot should be prepared for by the conscious mind and then carried out by the subconscious mind. What a great way to say it!

Can we actually lean to play better golf by controlling when our conscious and subconscious minds get used?

Absolutely. All it takes is a little awareness of what is happening on the course. One of the toughest challenges players face is the inability to shut off their conscious minds during their swing. How many times have you hit the first tee with 15 swing thoughts in your head? Instead of playing golf, you end up playing the swing. I see this happen all the time.

If you were going to throw me a baseball, would you think about all the different motions? Of course not. You would look at me, wind up and send it over. That is an example of the subconscious mind kicking in. It’s not necessary to think, just react and throw the ball.

Now golf is more calculated than the simple task of throwing a baseball but we still need to let the subconscious take over at the right moment. The conscious mind plays an important role before the shot and then the subconscious takes over the instant the club starts moving.

  Choosing the right club off the tee – Conscious
  Checking yardage – Conscious
  Club selection – Conscious
  Evaluating the lie – Conscious
  Evaluating wind, weather, etc… – Conscious
  Selecting ball flight for the shot – Conscious
  Picking a target – Conscious
  Visualizing the shot – Conscious
  Taking your stance – Conscious

  Executing the Shot – Subconscious

The pre shot routine is all handled consciously and then you have to trust your body to hit the shot just like you would trust it to throw me the baseball. In an instant, you move from conscious thought to a subconscious action. Too many players get stuck trying to make a good swing in conscious mode and it just can’t be done.

If you want to work on your golf swing, go to the range. The second you step foot on the 1st tee, your mind must leave swing mode and switch into golf mode. It is nearly impossible to shoot a good score working on your swing for 18 holes. Your brain power will be much better spent on course management, shot selection and playing the course.

So what should you do if your swing just isn’t there on a particular day? Make even better decisions around the course. Everyone has off days, including the players on TV. They are often able to salvage good rounds on bad days and so can you. Keep your conscious mind sharp and still allow the subconscious to take over. Even when it’s not doing a perfect job.

One more piece to add here and then you can go give this a try. It is true that on some bad days, we still make practice swings trying to find something to help. You do it, I do it, we all do it. In the event you stumble upon something that is worth trying on the next shot, rehearse the move with practice swings consciously and then step up to the ball and let the subconscious carry out what you have just rehearsed. You still have to make the transition.

All you have to do now is schedule a tee time. Get to the course early so you can hit some balls and put this into practice. Go through your pre shot routine on the range. Pick a target, visualize the shot and then let the sub take over. If you can do it on the range, you can certainly repeat the process on the course.

Thanks for stopping by. Now get out there and take it low! I know that if you will learn to use your conscious and subconscious minds corrrectly, you will no doubt start to play better golf!

And one final recommendation, don’t tell your buddies about this tip until they have paid up!!

Check Back Soon,

 Mike

Follow me on Twitter: @Mike_Snyder