A reason why some golfers struggle with automatic

It’s a process not an event.

An event is a quick fix, tip or some desperate attempt to hit a good shot right now. It’s the sort of mindset that many golfers revert to under pressure or when things get hard. (here and here for a start).

Automatic golf is a process. It takes time and commitment. A bit like building a relationship with someone.

An event is easy to do. You can come up with an event on every shot without too much trouble. You’ve also got something to hide behind when you play poorly.

“I was trying to swing slowly on that one.”

A process isn’t as easy. And sometimes you have to face your shortcomings without anything to hide behind.

Events are quick fixes and miracles cures. A process is for the duration and closer to reality.

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5 Comments

  • Steady

    Reply Reply December 11, 2009

    Hi Cam,
    it takes patience and a different mind set/attitude to playing. Enjoy the game it was meant to be played.Get behind the ball, select the shot you want to play, step up and play golf.
    Let go and relax.
    Cheers Steady

  • Tony Lucas (Lukey)

    Reply Reply December 12, 2009

    Hi Cam
    I agree totally with you that it is a process and as such will take time and Steady summed it up in his last phrase LET GO AND RELAX.I think that is spot on.
    Cheers Lukey

  • Grayden Provis

    Reply Reply December 15, 2009

    Yes. I went to hammer some nails this morning. I haven’t hammered nails for years. My first few hits (quite a few if I’m honest) were all over the place. Did I stop and think how far back I was taking the hammer? Did I have a look to see how many knuckles were showing? No. I just kept hammering and assumed it would eventually come good – and of course it did. The body figured out what I was doing and made the necessary adjustments by itself. Auto is definitely the way to go. We do it every day, why not with golf? Relax and give it a chance.

    PS How’s this? Went out for a quick 9 last night all keen after reading a lot of stuff on this web site during the day. Double-bogeyed the first hole. Walking to the second I was very disappointed but had to admit I hadn’t really been doing what Cameron says…….I was secretly still trying to manipulate things. I re- committed then and there to auto. As always it felt daunting but I stuck with it – and parred holes 2, 3 4, 5 and 6! Got to hole 7 – a shortish par 3. Put the ball nicely in the middle of the green, 6m from the pin. Thought to myself, “Hey this could be a pretty good nine after all” and proceeded to 4 – putt. Yuh. Say no more.

  • Cameron

    Reply Reply December 16, 2009

    @Grayden: Thanks for posting your story. The second you try and use your conscious mind for execution you’re making things harder than they need to be. Keep going and you can experience more “remarkable” golf.

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