It had to happen. Even here in the deep south, winter sometimes interrupts our golf. As I type this, the current weather conditions are 39 degrees and cloudy. Today’s high is forecast to be 40, the low 29. Burrr!
That’s just a little too cold for me to bundle up and head out to the course. But what can you do to stay sharp and perhaps even improve when going to the golf course or driving range is out of the question?
Two things. First, work out your body. A program of stretching and bodyweight exercises will pay dividends when the warmer weather returns. The internet is full of physical activities designed specifically for golf. Use Google to find something that works for you. Every little bit helps. Second, and just as important, work on our minds!
In my blog post, “Zombies and Professors,” I talked about what researchers call “Zombie Agents.” Have you ever arrived home from work with no recollection of the drive? Most of us have had this happen at least once. Thankfully while you were daydreaming or worrying about daily life, a zombie agent took over that safely navigated home. Zombie agents are a part of the subconscious mind that takes over and executes the mundane physical actions required to perform a task, in this case, drive home. What does this have to do with golf?
We’ve all heard of the “zone.” It’s that mental state where everything seems easy and effortless. We’ve all experienced it from time to time. The most common occurrence is on the putting green. We grind and grind over a three-foot putt, only to shove it right or pull it left. On the next hole, with a three-footer left, you backhand the ball without a thought about line, or break, or stroke, and, plop, straight in the hole! On the first putt, you let your conscious mind take over. On the latter, you entered the zone, ever so briefly, and let the zombie agent take over. In my opinion, the “zone” is nothing more than allowing your golf zombie agent, i.e., your subconscious, to take over, unimpeded by conscious thought.
When the weather makes playing or practicing outside impossible, use the time to strengthen your subconscious and your ability to access your zombie agent on the course. How? Self-hypnosis. Rather than go into a long and detailed description of self-hypnosis, let me recommend a great book specifically related to golf (available on Amazon, click the link): “Golfers Guide to Mental Fitness” by John Weir. In this book, Mr. Weir goes into depth, describing the process of self-hypnosis and how to use it to improve your golf game. If you choose to read this book, I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.
If you don’t read “Golfers Guide to Mental Fitness,” at least try this. Find a comfortable place sitting or laying down with your head supported. Thoroughly relax every muscle in your body. Consciously feel all tension leave, starting with your toes and slowly moving up through every part of your body to the very top of your head. Once you are completely relaxed, picture in your mind’s eye the best, most solid, most perfectly struck shot you’ve ever hit. Recall every detail; the smell of the grass, weather that day, the sound of the hit, how the contact felt. See the ball flying straight to the target; the more detail you can recall, the better. Replay this mental movie over and over. Each time the movie restarts, think of a one or two-word phrase to tie to it. It might be “smooth power,” or “execute now,” whatever is meaningful to you. Do this simple exercise for 15 to 20 minutes every day. The next time you play, see your target, address the ball, repeat your selected phrase, and swing away without conscious thought. Trust your subconscious, enter the zone, and play better golf.
Stay sharp in winter. Exercise your body and your mind!