Make every shot!

Jeff Ritter
Director of Instruction
ASU Karsten Golf Academy

During one of my recent junior golf camps I was playing with a group of good young golfers. On one particular par three all of the kids missed the green. All three then proceeded to hit fantastic pitches to within a few feet of the pin. Seeing an opportunity to pass on a lesson I asked each one: "what was your intention on that shot?" Without hesitation they all replied "to get it close." Not a surprising answer, in fact that's what I expected them to say. I then replied, "OK, so who can tell me the point of golf." Again, without hesitation, "well, to put the ball in the hole." Good answer. "So now tell me, if the goal of golf is to put the ball in the hole, then why were you trying to just get it close?" A moment of silence ensued, then I could see a light come on as one kid replied "Yeah, why are we trying to hit it close…let's just hit it in!" They all laughed, and then started to get fired up as if they couldn't wait for the next hole, a chance to go for it!

You see, golfers are conditioned to do things like "lag it close" give your self a chance to "save par" when in reality they are telling themselves "don't hit it in the hole!" Their "intention" is completely skewed from what it should be. Golfers spend a lot of time wishing and hoping, trying not to "screw up" when their intention should revolve around simply getting the job done as if there was no question. Think of the things you do perfectly every day like driving to work for example. Every day you get in your car and with no wishing or hoping you perfectly navigate a 2000 pound machine with a series of complex movements and voila' you end up at work. Perfect every time, no wish, no hope, no doubt. Well, believe it or not, golf can and should be played the very same way! You've hit great shots before, so why not believe that you will every time? Will this happen? Probably not, but the pure belief that it will can "greatly" increase your chances of success on a much more consistent basis.

So here's the tip:

1. No more wishing and hoping. Approach each shot as if success was a given.

2. Make your intention what you really want which is "hit the ball in the hole"

3. Follow that up with a mental image of what your perfect shot will look like (height,
landing spot, roll, speed it falls into the cup) everything just like a little movie of
perfection.

4. Engage your target with an extended stare then pull the trigger as if success was never
in question!

Golf is a tough game and the psychology that accompanies our successes and failures is what makes this game so exhilarating and demoralizing from one shot to the next. Following these tips is a sure way to get what you want more often and have a lot more fun!

Jeff Ritter
Director of Instruction
ASU Karsten Golf Academy
jeffrittergolf.com