You might be familiar with the idea of using ‘swing thoughts’ to influence your golf. Can swing thoughts really help to fix a slice?
In this post we explore how your negative patterns might be hindering your progress – and how you can create positive new swing thoughts that really work to stop slicing the ball.
The importance of mindset in golf
I believe that it’s very important to acknowledge THE POWER OF THE MIND when we are playing and practising golf. One of the biggest dilemmas I see in players that want to get rid of that slice is that they are so consumed by the SLICE rather than the SOLUTION. The more we think about something, the more we cling subconsciously to these thoughts that take control of our actions.
Throughout my Amateur and Professional Career, I meet a lot of people: players, golf fanatics and lots and lots of coaches. They all had this idea of what my golf game and golf swing needed and you guessed it, all I had to do was stop slicing the ball and stop swinging from an over the top, on an outside swing path.
Well I most definitely knew this was the issue thank you, but I didn’t need to be reminded continually that this was what was happening with my swing. I had to dig deep internally to hear only myself saying that one day I would move on an inside path and be able to hit draws on demand. As soon as I blocked out the “what not to do” from the outside world and listened to myself and my small team, I began to only hear “what I had to do”. This was to move down the line with my swing path and shape the ball which ever way I wanted.
My biggest piece of advice? STOP talking about your slice. Yes, we know you are slicing the ball, but let’s focus on the complete opposite shot you want to start seeing. In other words, stop holding yourself back and launch directly into your new swing thought.
Visualise the swing you want
Imagine are about to hit your golf shot. GLUE your eye gaze to the inside or closest side of the ball to yourself rather than the outside of the ball.
In a slow-motion swing think of this movement from the top of the downswing staying closer to our body, with body weight pushing back into your heels, squaring your club face while eyes are still gazing on the inside of the ball.
Through the ball keep your neutral grip which will square your club face, enjoying more rotation and extension of your body, arms and hands in turn the club face to the left of target.
Now tell me: what was your mind telling throughout all of this?
Were you even aware of having thoughts?
What were they telling you?
It’s important to acknowledge our swing fault. For example, “I have been coming from the outside of the ball.” However once we do, it’s now time to focus on “what to do, not what not to do”.
The power of three
I like to focus on three clear instructions (swing thoughts) to implement. Three is a good number because the mind likes to keep it simple. So, if you have been coming over the top of the ball rather than inside of the ball, your three positive swing thoughts might be:
- INSIDE
- ROTATE
- TRUST IT
Write them down. Put them on a posit note. Put it on your bathroom mirror. Stick it in your golf bag. The sportspeople in the world do this to remind themselves of their goals.
Playing, practicing and thinking about the complete opposite shot not only creates confidence but it brings facts to the party. Your positive swing thoughts are always reminding you of positive things you can do to improve your game.
If you’re ever feeling stuck – or you feel that slice creeping back in – go back to the four steps:
- Review your set up
- Practice your ideal swing path
- Focus on your club face through the ball
- Use three clear positive swing thoughts every time you play or practise, insuring to instruct yourself with what to do not, not what to do.
Pretty soon your game won’t feature the most common dilemma shot in golf. What was it even called again?