Take Dead Aim
The famous instructor, Harvey Penick, told his students to take dead aim. He meant that every swing should have a specific purpose and every shot needs to have a specific, pinpoint spot where you want the ball to land. Being extraordinarily precise in your target is the first step to hitting the ball close.
Stand a few paces behind the ball and sight along the line to where you want the ball to land. Do not select a general area; select a spot no bigger than a basketball hoop. The more specific the spot---the better your shot.
Visualize the Ball Flight
While still behind the ball, picture in your mind's eye how you want the ball to soar. Do you see it going high and landing soft? Or do you visualize an ever so slight fade around the dogleg? Even as a high handicapper who merely hopes for good contact, visualizing your shot is fundamental to getting better. Put the shot in your mind and your body will have a better chance at following.
Practice Swing
Whether it is a full swing or a condensed version, it is important to do it with consistency. Again a consistent, repeatable routine sets up a consistent and repeatable swing. At this point you should have no more than one swing thought. Even whisper it out loud to yourself. Now is the time to ingrain the thought, not while you are standing over the ball.
Address the Ball
Many amateurs simply walk to the ball, stand over it too long and hack away. While there are many ways to address the ball and align yourself, it is not important what you do or how you do it but that you do the same routine every time. Golf is a game of consistency and repetition. Standardizing your routine at address, that is, doing the same thing every time, sets the stage for a swing that can run on autopilot.
The Waggle
Waggling, or moving the club to and fro prior to beginning the swing, is an under-appreciated art. A good swing is free, silky and flowing. Standing tin man still at address for any longer than a moment stiffens the mind and the body and is not conducive to producing a smooth swing.
Give the club a waggle, clear your head and swing away.
About The Author
Mike Pile is a professional golf writer. Pile has been writing for 11 years with work appearing in Golfing Magazine, Solar Industry, North American Clean Energy, Electrical Construction and Maintenance, and GolfLink among others. He holds an MBA from the University of St.Thomas.
