If golfers hit the ball with the same momentum they used in their practice swing, I’d be out of a job.

Have you noticed the ease with which people accomplish good, beautiful practice swings? A few seconds later, facing the ball, the flexible, graceful, fluid, coordinated swing disappears as if by magic, to be replaced by a completely different stroke. But why?

We often forget to mention that golf is, above all, a sport of awareness, focus and sensations. When you take a practice swing, you are naturally centred on yourself and your swing. Without a ball and without a target in your field of vision (which act as stressors), you’re relaxed and carefree.

As a result, it’s much easier for you to pay attention to the sensations felt with respect to the body and the stroke. So you experience, physically and mentally, tensions referred to as “appropriate”.

When there’s no expectation as regards a double task to be accomplished, like that of attaining several targets at almost the same time (like the ball and the flag), you’re free to let yourself go, both physically and mentally. Besides, one of the most sought-after pleasures in golf is the sensation of an unrestricted swing across the impact zone.

Whence the expression “stroking across the ball”, rather than “hitting the ball”. There’s a marked difference between the golfer who strokes and the golfer who hits. The first is playing, the second is working.

For the golfer to be able to recreate the same stroke they made during the practice swing, they must pay attention to the sensations experienced during the swing, just like during the practice swing.

By the same author: Keep it simple, stupid! (Click the image below)