Stay Out of Your Own Way

Over the last couple of years, this title phrase has become a:cliché. Even golfers who haven't the foggiest idea of the components of good performance know enough to at least say that they have to stay out of their own way. And they're correct - staying out of your own way is one of the top preventive strategies for solid efforts.

But what exactly does this phrase mean?

Most of us want to perform so well that we try too hard, become too intense and complicate things too much. The importance of the occasion, plus our good intentions add up to too many thoughts at once.

We think about specific swing mechanics, remembering the latest swing cue, course management, the stance and the lie, the 17 steps of our preshot routines, visualizing the shot, coping with the pressure, targeting, and-oh yes- concentrating. With all of that going on, it's no wonder our brains become overloaded and shut down.

The path to discouraging golfing performances is paved with these good intentions. Reflecting on his stellar year of 1998, Mark O'Meara stated, "As soon as I got out of my own way, didn't put as much pressure on myself, I was able to perform better." One of the cornerstones of human performance is - as Lily Tomlin's character "Edith Ann" said - to "try softer."

There is a time to think and plan, but there is also time to let go and do. The first step to getting out of your own way is to analyze exactly what this concept means to you. The problem with such clichés is that we mistakenly believe they mean the same thing to everybody. As you reflect on how specifically you get in your way, some answers become obvious in just doing the opposite. For example, if you discover that you are too deadly serious about the game, the answer is clear - have more fun. Or if you become aware that you are thinking about too many possibilities for a shot, the answer is easy - commit yourself to one choice and go with it.

This whole issue essentially is composed of two separate phases -how to prevent you from getting in your way and, if you do, how to recover from it. When I was preparing this article, I went through notes on my golfers over the last couple of years to see how we got past them staying out of their own way .I came up with no less than 37 techniques! I chuckled and said to myself, "Great, Tom, you're going to give golfers 37 suggestions to simplify their games!"

Actually, I'll boil them down to three strategies:

PERSPECTIVE.
No single shot you ever take will ever make or break a round, a tournament or even a career. It is just one shot. Even with the disasters of Doug Sanders at the 1970 British Open and Tony Jacklin 1972,it is still just one shot ... unless you make something more of it. Remember, there will always be other shots, other holes and other rounds. Sure, commit yourself to the shot in front of you, but it is just one shot. Failure with this shot is not the end of the world. If you have read my articles in these pages over the years, you know one of my cornerstones of golf performance is this a round of golf is a series of individual performances, separate unto themselves. This is a perspective to accept before a round. It is also a perspective to remember during a round, particularly coming down the stretch when you are starting to feel pressure.

CONTROL There are so many specific elements to the golf swing and game itself that it's hard to try to control all of them, much less be aware of them. Good golf (as well as mental health!) is grounded in being aware of -what we can controL Over a putt, the only thing we have control of is putting a good stroke on the ball. We do not have 100 percent direct control whether or not the ball goes into the hole -grain, wind, footprints, ball marks and worms sneezing can all influence the outcome.

A consistent preshot routine can be an aid to putting yourself in a good position to better control your swing. However, don't complicate your preshot routine by trying to micromanage everything. The greatest value of a preshot routine is that it allows you to make the transition from thinking to doing. Have, at the most, one swing cue. It almost seems mystical, but the more you give up trying to control everything, the more pure control you attain. Play, mentally rehearse and commit, but let all of this go when you are over the ball.

BE WITH THE SHOT: The best way to stay out of your own way is to throw yourself into the process of executing the shot, immersing yourself into the here-and-now where the ball, target and your performance all merge together. Don't worry about outcomes or consequences. Even in pressurized tournaments, the real fun resides in executing the shot. All your thoughts, plans and routines merely put you in a position to perform. The goal is to immerse yourself in the shot situation, let go of conscious control and let your best effort emerge.

Cheers!

Tom

"I am on of those unfortunate souls who has the 'full swing yips.' After playing for over twenty years, I was close to abandoning the game I loved. Playing partners and pros alike were dumbfounded; nothing I tried or they offered could fix it. Tom did not offer quick miracle cures. Rather, he helped me establish a 'toolbox' of techniques that I have been able to adopt as my own--how to relax, trust myself, commit to targets, and allow my swings to emerge. Moreover, his can-do attitude and eternal optimism are contagious. I have found my confidence returning and with a renewed spirit and love of the game."

Joan Promwell, senior golfer

Dr. Tom Kubistant, sports psychologist has worked with world-class athletes since 1971. He is one of the most prolific writers and speakers on the mental game of golf on the planet. To take advantage of his decades of golf wizardry, Get Mind Links now!

Author of "Performing Your Best, Links Golf, Mind Pump: The Psychology of Body Building, business and sales training audios, over 280 articles for magazines and now.........Mind Links - The Psychology of Golf.