Paralysis by analysis

is more common than you could imagine and it will infest your game before you even know it.

One of the most common questions asked of me when it comes to golf is what do you actually think of when you hit a ball.

The answer is nothing.

Paralysis by Analysis is thinking of everything.

If I have to think of something, I would think tempo but my preference would be to have a totally blank mindset. It’s a blank canvas that Im looking to work with.

The amount of time it takes to swing a golf club does not allow you the time to think of anything. It is over in a flash and if you think you can change your swing half way through, you are desperately clutching at straws.

Golf is one of those sports where less is best.

If less is best, why is it that so many people flood their heads with concerns?
Trying too hard? disecting your game looking for answers? IS YOUR ARM STRAIGHT? DID YOU LIFT YOUR HEAD? DID MY WEIGHT STAY BACK? DID i COME OVER THE TOP?…. stop asking/shouting questions. Stop over analysing.

It is called Paralysis By Analysis

I remember watching a young golfer with big ambitions practice and it was interesting to watch. He hit iron after iron with sheer precision. He was like a machine.

The longer the session went, the more it looked like he was just waiting for a bad shot and sure enough it came.

This is where things got interesting because he began to take his entire swing apart and implemented changes that he deemed necessary.

My point is… does your swing need to change because you hit one bad shot in a dozen?… Perfection is a great thing to aim for but the pursuit of it can paralyse your efforts.

The harder you try, the more things you change. The more things you change, the more you question what it is you are doing. The paralysis is starting to choke your efforts.

Many years ago, I stood in front of a group of students and wanted to test their knowledge.

Standing in front of the group I addressed a shot and to the surprise of many,I topped it.

The question I ask you just as I asked the group is why do you think I topped it?

Answers came thick and fast and some of them were more technical than others. There was, you lifted your head, your arm bent, your spine angle increased and a whole lot more.

Whats your thought?

With no correct answers after the first hit, the shot was repeated. It was easy. All i had to do was follow all the advice I had just received. Dont lift the heel, transfer more weight, strengthen my grip and take it away a little more on the inside….. how could I go wrong?

Have you figured it out yet?

The reason I topped the golf ball is because I wanted too. I hit the top because thats exactly what I wanted to do.

Whats the point of all this?

My point is that golfers need to keep things simple and stop filling your head with analysis that serves nothing other than a paralysing stimulant.

Every time you hit the ball left, right, high or low, there are reasons for it but do you really want to know them all?

Do yourself a favour and work on one or two things at once, no more, no less. Work or think of more than this and you are over analysing, you are going to cripple your game with paralysis by analysis.

You will be glad you did. One of the most common questions asked of me when it comes to golf is what do you actually think of when you hit a ball.

The answer is nothing. Paralysis by analysis is not the answer!

If I have to think of something, I would think tempo but my preference would be to have a totally blank mindset. It’s a blank canvas that Im looking to work with.

The amount of time it takes to swing a golf club does not allow you the time to think of anything. It is over in a flash and if you think you can change your swing half way through, you are desperately clutching at straws.

Golf is one of those sports where less is best.

Paralysis by analysis will suck the air out of you at the same time it sends you into an uncontrollable brain meltdown.

Tagged with: Golf • golf analysis • golf paralysis by analysis • Golf Tips

Filed under: Golf • Golf Tips

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