There is a psychological theory that stipulates that all of our behavior falls into two basic categories.
We either behave to get something we want or we act to avoid something that we don’t want.
Sigmund Freud called this the pleasure/pain principle. We seek pleasure and stay away from pain, whether or not we’re conscious of this motivation.
Whether or not you put much stock in Freud, this theory, applied to golf psychology, has very real applications to you as a player. The players who think the best are those who have a picture in
their mind of the type of shot they desire.
“I want to hit a draw, starting on a line toward that tree just beyond the fairway”.
“I’m going to roll this downhill putt so that it dies right in the hole.”
“I’m going to slow my tempo down so that I can put a smooth swing on the ball”.
Those who struggle with this thought process more commonly fill their heads with pictures or words that describe things they’re trying to avoid.
“Don’t hit it left here.”
“Don’t blow this by the hole or you might be looking at a three-footer coming back.”
“Don’t
start the club so far inside.”
“Stop swinging so darned fast.”
Golf tip sponsored by NeuroThrive