Focus is a word that’s often bantered around when speaking of the greats in any sport, particularly golf greats. Whether it’s Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Bobby Jones and of course Tiger Woods (1996-2009)…all have been champions and all have been given the Focus title at one time or another. So, what am I going to tell you about Focus that some announcer hasn’t already told you? Is it possible that I have some sort of secret? Probably not. But I do have some information which I’ll share with you.
When it comes to golf, Focus, is really about the task at hand. What’s the task? Simple…the target. What’s your target? Where do you want the ball to go? What path do you see your shot taking to reach the destination you have chosen? What is your true intention? These are questions I’ll ask a student during a lesson AFTER they have hit the ball and quite often they are stuck on question 1? The answer goes like this:
“Uh, well, I, uh…well, straight. I mean I wanted my ball to go straight…you know, to my target.”
So, what was your target? Point it out to me.
Student turns towards the landing area of the range.
“Well, let me see…The, uh, the 150 marker.”
When did you decide that was your target? Now?
“I had an 8 iron in my hand and I hit the ball 150…so, I was, yeah, I wanted it to go 150 because that’s how far I hit my 8 iron.”
So, you wanted the ball to go 150 yards towards…nothing in particular?
Bottom line. The person had no target. They weren’t focused on a target and they didn’t look at a target before they addressed the ball. They had no intent with regards to a destination. The intent, then, became hitting the ball…which they did. Focus is not just about a glancing look down the fairway or towards the green. It’s about leaving an imprint in your brain as to where you want the ball to go, the path it will take to get there, the trajectory or height of the shot – it’s essentially about seeing the shot, in real time, PRIOR to actually addressing the ball. It’s about leaving no doubt whatsoever as to your true intention. The mind, then, becomes quiet, leaving the brain to auto pilot the body, recruit and engage the muscle groups necessary to perform the task you intend to pull off. The body reacts. If you continue to repeat the step of actually identifying a target…trust me. You will improve.
If most are honest, they will admit what they focus on.
1. Head still on the takeaway.
2. Hands quiet on the takeaway.
3. Keep weight on my right side at the top of the backswing.
4. Lead my downswing with my hips first.
5. Keep my left arm straight.
6. Keep my head down.
7. And on and on and on…..
Most golfers focus on physical aspects of the swing or technique. Most do not identify a true target. And by true target I mean one in which you have zeroed in on so much that you could direct someone, through commentary to a spot so small it would resemble the triple 20 section on a dart board. That would be focus.
Darts. Yes, darts. If you want to learn about Focusing on the Target…watch darts for half an hour. Phil Taylor, arguably the greatest player ever and a 15 time World Champion is pretty fun to watch. He’s not a physical specimen by any means and is quite content to engage with the raucous crowds which attend the matches, not to mention, he also engages with his playing competitors. But, when he steps up to the line…and the camera zooms in on his eyes….you know exactly WHERE he is looking. He does it every single time he steps up to the line and the dart board is ALWAYS the same distance from him, he ALWAYS has the same darts, the conditions are ALWAYS the same since the events take place indoors and yet…he still doesn’t blink when he stares down the target. Why?
Because it’s critically important that you ALWAYS pay attention to your true intention…the target.
Forget learning about focus from Jack, Tom, Bobby or Tiger…Watch Phil Taylor focus on his target.
Once you pick your target and set up to the ball, then what? I’ve heard some instructors say that you should be focused on your target througout the swing…but that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. If you’re set up to your target, you should forget about the target and do/think something that will help you replicate your practice…I guess it’s up to each player to figure out what that something is?
Very interesting because the most satisfying shots for me are the ones that go directly to my target and the most puzzling are the ones that do not even though I have selected the target and committed to it in the same way.
Did the brain forget to recruit the right muscle groups or was I not as committed as I though I was?
When you watched Rory McElroy win earlier this year he was in the zone and committed to his target on every shot- and capable of hitting the shots he was focused on. So talent may be a factor too…you think?