Over the past couple weeks I have had a resurgence in my golf game. After a lack luster season so far, I stumbled across some very valuable information I kept when I was a junior golfer. It revolved around golfing on my first instinct and good instinct breeds high levels of confidence...
As a junior, my dad taught me the importance of writing important information down, especially when something successful happened. I used to keep notes in a make shift duo tang. Well I stumbled across this booklet a few weeks ago, and the glaring detail that stuck out was an entry the day before the 1998 Ontario Junior Qualifier held at Scenic Woods in Binbrook. The entry stated "Tomorrow I will go with my first instinct." I shot 70 in windy conditions and was the medalist at the qualifier.
I remember bits and pieces of that day, but not enough to go into details. But what I do remember is when I was a junior golfer, I had a great ability with my short game. Most juniors putt and chip with no fear, and this is a direct result of having a great imagination and going with what their mind's eye first sees. Or in other words, going with the first instinct. I had this ability and over the years lost it. As I learned more about this great game, I filled my brain and eyes with too much information, resulting in indecision and poor shot making. I was still a good player, but I wasn't trusting my own gut anymore.
So, as we progress through this game, I believe it's very important to stay close to our inner child. I am now back to getting behind my ball around the green, taking the first club that comes into my mind, picking the first target my eye sees, and trusting my ability to send it at the target. My results recently have been the best in 10 years. Also, for putting.... I suggest you try reading a putt and the first line you see, get in and stroke it down that line. Only think of one thing.... Making it. Let me know if instinct is a part of your game. I am interested to see how much success you have had.
I remember bits and pieces of that day, but not enough to go into details. But what I do remember is when I was a junior golfer, I had a great ability with my short game. Most juniors putt and chip with no fear, and this is a direct result of having a great imagination and going with what their mind's eye first sees. Or in other words, going with the first instinct. I had this ability and over the years lost it. As I learned more about this great game, I filled my brain and eyes with too much information, resulting in indecision and poor shot making. I was still a good player, but I wasn't trusting my own gut anymore.
So, as we progress through this game, I believe it's very important to stay close to our inner child. I am now back to getting behind my ball around the green, taking the first club that comes into my mind, picking the first target my eye sees, and trusting my ability to send it at the target. My results recently have been the best in 10 years. Also, for putting.... I suggest you try reading a putt and the first line you see, get in and stroke it down that line. Only think of one thing.... Making it. Let me know if instinct is a part of your game. I am interested to see how much success you have had.
