Improving Your Golf Score Through Hypnosis
By: Kevin Linehan
Great golfers meditate, some call it psychology, some visualization, others the mental game of golf, or even hypnosis, it’s all the same thing, using your mind to improve your game. Some of the top pros spend as much time on the mental aspects of the game as they do on the physical.
The University of Chicago once did a study. The study was conducted to determine the effects of visualization on the free throw performance of basketball players.
The athletes were tested to determine their initial free throw ability. They were then randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group went to the gym daily for one hour and practiced their free throw shooting. The second group also went to the gym, but instead of practicing they lay down and simply imagined themselves successfully shooting their free throws. The third group did nothing. They were told to not even touch a basketball. At the end of thirty days the athletes in the three groups were once again tested for their free throwing proficiency.
The players who had not practiced at all showed no improvement in performance. Many in the group actually dropped in performance. The group that physically practiced for one hour per day showed a performance increase of 24%.
The amazing point of the story which validates using visualization techniques for performance improvement is that the visualization group, by merely imagining themselves successfully shooting free throws improved 23%.
When the Russian and other Eastern European athletes began to dominate the Olympics in the seventies and early eighties observers were sent to Russia to see how its athletes were trained. They were shocked to see 25% physical preparation verses 75% mental preparation. The opposite of what was being done in America. Performance improved dramatically for US athletes once their mental training was increased.
Golf is predominantly a mental game. To improve there should be a predominant amount of time dedicated to the mental aspects. Everyone cam make a great shot, the difference between the amateur and the professional is the percentage of good shots made.
There are many ways in which the use of hypnosis can be used to help improve your golf game. In addition to suggestions of relaxation and focus, hypnosis also provides for effective visualization. One technique used extensively for any sports training through hypnosis is that of modeling. In modeling, while in a hypnotic state, you visualize your favorite player as they play a round of golf. There are certain aspects that are pointed out (or simply imagined if doing this in self-hypnosis), such as the grip, the stance, the approach, club selection etc. This can become very specific such as “notice how your favorite player has selected enough club for the shot so that he/she does not over swing”. You focus on your favorite player as they shoot from the tee, approach the green or putt. You see the ball in every case go exactly were you expected it to go. After watching to understand the mechanics you can visualize stepping into the body of your favorite player. Now you can feel the intense focus (being in the zone), the swing (relaxed and easy), the follow through (watch as the ball lands just where you expected). Play round after round experiencing various holes, lies, distances etc.
Specific direct suggestions would include those for relaxation, enjoyment of the game, focus, reminders to always take the safe shot, retain the memory of the good shots, discard the memory of any bad shots, every day the percentage of good shots is growing etc. Also, reminders to not over swing, to not change your technique while on the course but rather save it for the practice tee or lessons, to plan each shot including where you want the ball to go, getting into a zone where your focus is entirely on making the perfect swing, and seeing the ball end up just where you expected it to land.
In addition, specific suggestions could be crafted to address any specific issues. For example, if you are always hooking the ball and you know the reason such as swinging too hard, a suggestion can be given so that you always take a relaxed and comfortable swing.
Visualize your way to a better handicap!!
Self-hypnosis classes are held monthly, contact Kevin or Christine at OnTrac Hypnotherapy Inc. at 603.362.8868 or email ontrachypnosis@aol.com. We also offer hypnosis CD’s for Weight Loss, Stress Management, Smoking Cessation and Golf Score Improvement.
Is there anything related to hypnosis that you would like to know more about? Feel free to give me a call; I’ll be happy to address your question in a future article.
