The Automatic Puzzle

Automatic golf will allow you to play your best golf. Your learning system will guarantee it.

But there is a problem. And that is golfers have been conditioned to think so much about technique that when it’s absent they lose trust in automatic. This is something that I’m continually fighting.

But automatic golf doesn’t mean you completely forget about your technique. Golf technique, swing advice and corrections will always play a part in your golf development. The puzzle is knowing when and how to apply that technique.

Here’s the deal.

You must learn to automate your golf game first. You then have a solid base to work from. It’s this early patience that unlocks your natural tendencies and shows you exactly what you should work on. Doing it any other way makes improvement extremely difficult.

From here it’s a matter of making any changes instinctive and automatic.

Fully grasping the magic of automatic gives you the best of both worlds. You’re able to play your best golf consistently and still make continual improvements.

What more could a golfer want?

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15 Comments

  • Tony Lucas (Lukey)

    Reply Reply September 15, 2009

    Cam
    I am in total agreement with what you say because as steady and myself agree I’m very close to going fully auto and now my mind boggles with what potential may lay beneath.
    Cheers Lukey

  • Cameron

    Reply Reply September 15, 2009

    @Lukey: It’s a continual battle to keep your conscious mind in check. Keep going and you’ll soon find out what you’re really capable of.

    Good golfing,

    Cameron

  • Gregor

    Reply Reply September 15, 2009

    If automatic is distracting your mind for the duration of a shot, does that mean if you are able to count for the duration right through to follow through then you have hit a shot automatically. Sometimes I am aware that my count stops just before I start my backswing, does that mean that I am actually consciously controlling my swing ?

    Gregor

  • Steady

    Reply Reply September 16, 2009

    Hi Gregor,
    I don’t know if you are controlling your swing when you stop counting. I’m a counter and when I’m still counting when the ball is in the air I know I’ve played the best shot I can automatically.
    Basically if you aren’t comfortable over the ball don’t pull the trigger. Interuptions, distractions by you or other players upset your natural way of playing.Back away and start again. It takes guts and discipline to start your routine over.
    I’ts a bit like do I mark my ball 2 feet from the hole,if I’m near the line of a partners putt or get my self into an awkward position , position my feet in a broad/narrow way and try and putt, hopefully not missing.
    I always now mark my ball, walk away and not put myself in a position where I’m not comfortable. Why?
    Because I’ve misssed too many 2 footers worrying about treading on another players Line. My head was not right, therefore I missed the putt. PLay comfortably and automaticcaly will give yourself oppurtunity to PLay at your optimum.
    I hope this helps.
    Steady

  • Gregor

    Reply Reply September 16, 2009

    Steady,
    a few times on my last game, my playing partners were talking as I walked up to the ball. It was a game between friends so that didn’t bother me, but I did make the point of starting my routine again.
    I think you have answered the question about when the count should finish by saying that you are still counting when the ball is going down the fairway. I have found that the longer I distract myself, the better the result. Obviously there is still work to be done on managing to do the same on every shot.
    Gregor

  • Steady

    Reply Reply September 17, 2009

    Hi Gregor,
    spot on. It takes discipline. However the results are worth it. The biggest change you have to make is your attitude. Relax and play. Go through your routine relax , play your shot and repeat. You just may shock yourself at how well you can really play the great game of golf.
    Let me know how you go next time you play.
    Cheers Steady

  • Gregor

    Reply Reply September 20, 2009

    Steady,
    I thought previously that what I was doing was correct, but it is actually quite uncomfortable to keep going until the ball is down the fairway. My play was very erratic to say the least. I had some very poor shots even by my standards, but I also had some great shots. I didn’t count my score but it wasn’t good. More practice of the process required!
    Gregor

  • Steady

    Reply Reply September 20, 2009

    Hi Gregor,
    Playing automatic golf is about attitude. You get behind your ball, decide on what you are going to do, ( with in your limits) and count sing a song whatever you choose to do walk to your ball while doing this get set and pull the trigger.
    What you are doing will make you uncomfortable because you are not use to it. I eventually had to admit that I know I’m going to play poor shot occasionally. Sometimes I play a great shot with a crappy result. But my attitude to accepting the good with the bad has got a lot to do with me realise you cant play perfrect golf.
    Try not to force or make yourself do something that is not natural. By that I mean be worried and concerned about things such as alignment, grip etc. Do these really help your score. Focus on relaxing, playing golf and let go.
    I hope this helped.
    Cheers Steady

  • Golf Swing Genius

    Reply Reply September 24, 2009

    Well said, I believe it’s very important to learn the swing correctly and take your time so it then can become automatic but very effective. As a golf instructor, I often teach people to focus on technique while they are learning something new, but then shift gears and become more feel oriented when they get out on the golf course.

  • Steve at the gents club

    Reply Reply September 28, 2009

    Relaxing as steady says is a good attitude to take on board but as in every sport when it comes to competing it is very difficult.

  • Cameron Strachan

    Reply Reply September 28, 2009

    @Steve: This is why we can’t buy a better golf game. You need to have the courage to swing the club freely and naturally. This is easy to do in practice but much harder to do on the first tee onwards.

    It’s also why I think automatic golf is more important than any other golf skill or piece of equipment.

    Cameron

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