The Golfers Mind
"The inner game has always been the last frontier in golf. Why? Because the source of all excellence is within, and because that's usually the last place we look for it."
Timothy Gallwey
The Inner Game of Golf
Aim & Alignment Series
The Golfers Mind
Find your Internal Centre of Gravity for Stability,
Power and Consistency.
Being in balance is such an important physical requirement if you are to make and
athletic rotating move like the golf swing. I have seen golfers shot results -
Know where your centre of gravity is and you may find you have a more grounded and balanced golf swing. It is my coaching experience that many golfers who say they are balanced really aren’t. In other words I can give then a gentle push in one direction or another and they topple over from their setup position. I say this so that you do not assume that you are actually well balanced, check it as it is far too important as a golf fundamental to be ignored or left to chance.
Ground yourself properly and know where your centre of gravity is. To feel grounded, be aware of the feeling of your feet to the ground. Put your awareness in your feet and really “feel” like you have a connection to the ground. Make some swings while being aware of the movement of your feet and balance. The object is not to hit great shots while doing this (although you probably will) but just to be aware of the feelings in your feet while you swing.
Now be aware of where your centre of gravity is. In the setup position, and I have to assume that you have a good setup (if not seek advice from a professional) your centre of gravity is located a few inches below your belly button and close to your spine. Imagine a spot a few inches below your belly button and a few inches “inside” you.
Some people find it helpful to put an imaginary pebble or small item which represents something for them in that spot. This gives them a stronger ability to really think about their centre of gravity. You can also give it colour and even a make it feel like a warm or cool spot depending on your fancy.
Now put your thinking and awareness in that spot and coupled with good foot grounding you should feel much more solid, stable and in balance throughout your swings.
Although we are talking a physical balance here, it is really important to use your mind and feelings to get your thinking and awareness into the very precise spots like the grounded feet and centre of gravity within the body.
I was once told by a client that they could not get their thinking into a specific part of their body and they jokingly referred to their ear lobe. So I gave their ear lobe a good flick with my fingers and was rewarded by a sharp yelp from them and at which time they also confirmed that they had now managed to get their awareness and thinking fully into that exact spot! Hey, they were being intentionally troublesome and disruptive to the group and fully deserved it!
Getting awareness into a specific part of your body is simply imagination, thought and becoming aware of the feeling of that spot. You don’t need to use physical pain, and please do not.
Have fun getting in touch with small specific parts of your body ( we are talking golf here please!)and as long as you stick to your feet, centre of gravity and balance you should experience some nice changes in your swing.
Have Fun and wishing you...
FIR’s, GIR’s and Blue Skies!
Mark Wright.
