How often have you been told to try and keep your left elbow straight or don't swing too fast? These are two of the most common pieces of advice in golf instruction.
Does this scenario sound familiar? During a lesson, you can execute a new technique very well.
The very next day,however, the new and improved technique suddenly disappears! The harder you try, the more elusive it becomes.
After several frustrating attempts, you abandon this new system and revert to your old swing.
The penultimate frustration for many students is being trapped in limbo; unable to use the new technique and forgetting how to access their old swing.
Every golfer has the ability to ingrain the fundamentals of proper technique.
It's not lack of ability or desire that impedes your progress.
The automatic (often unconscious ) use of two simple words can bring progress to a grinding halt.
The two most deadly words in golf instruction are try and don't.
If you want to bring a golfer to his knees (figuratively, of course), then tell him to try not to think too much! When the mind struggles to process a negative command, the body receives mixed signals.
In order to carry out an appropriate response, your body response instinctively slows down, like a wind-up toy whose batteries are dying.
This is the incipient stage of the dreaded Paralysis by Analysis.
I often hear golfers telling each other to stop trying to kill the ball.
Since we cannot process negative commands, we end up performing the very action you are trying to avoid.
Guess what happens when a student is told, don't lift your head? Can you recall how often you have been told to try and relax? The very act of trying creates tension.
The third negative command to be aware of is the word but.
While this word is not as fatal as try or don't, it can thwart any chance of achieving the desired result.
How often has your inner dialogue included but in the conversation? I'd like to break ninety, but, I haven't had enough practice.
I want to sink this putt, but, I've been missing from this distance all day.
I'm sure you get the idea.
Using the word but can wipe out any positive mental image.
Since our body responds to mental images, you have virtually eliminated any chance for success.
How do you avoid the effects of negative commands? Whenever you are giving or receiving advice, makes sure the advice is expressed in positive terms.
Be aware of the tendency to use negative commands.
Will using positive commands guarantee perfect results? Of course not.
You have a much better chance, however, of achieving your goal when you focus on what to do instead of on what not to do.
Awareness of how your language affects your ability is a critical key to unlocking the door to your best golf.
I would recommend writing down ten of the most common pieces of negative advice you have heard about the golf swing, and reformulate them in positive terms.
This exercise will heighten your awareness of the effects of negative commands.
For a comprehensive discussion on the effects of language on learning, I would suggest visiting Dr.
Harlan Kilstein at http://www.
golfersmind.
com.
If you have a copy of The Empire Strikes Back in your video library, then watch the sequence when Yoda is attempting to help Luke Skywalker free his fighter plane from the bog.
You will see a perfect example of how negative commands affect beliefs.
In the next article, you will learn how to optimize practice and develop effective muscle memory.