The summer is here and many of us are getting ready to play in an important event. It is a good idea to evaluate what your strength and weaknesses are and decide what you should spend your time working on. You may also want to consider how much time you have to work on your game so you don’t start a swing rebuild two weeks before you play.
Step 1: Identify what your strength and weakness are (Driving, woods, Long-Mid-Short Irons, short game, bunkers, putting, mental game)
Step 2: Decide how much time you can dedicate to working on your weak point and what you can realistically improve on in the short and long term
Step 3: Maybe go get help from a PGA Instructor to make sure you are working on the right mechanics or swing issue.
Step 4: Set a practice schedule and stick to it
Step 5: Get mentally ready
If you have worked on your game there is a time to stop working on mechanics and get back to feel. Even if you are making a better move if you have to think about it too much you will most likely not play better. When the time is getting close to tournament day it is time to stop thinking mechanically and get back to feel. Concentrate on ball flight and feel.
The day of the big game and the round leading up to it are important. Don’t try to be too perfect or mechanical. You need to swing with confidence. It is time to get your mind ready and except that you are going to hit good shot and bad shots and hope the work you put in is a benefit to you.
Control what you can control, that is important. You can’t control when you are going to hit good or bad shots. You can control three things:
- Focus on making good decisions before each shot and committing to them
- Make sure to set up correctly for the shot you have selected
- Accept what results may come and let your athlete hit the shot.
Remember, don’t spend too much time trying not to be nervous, get used to playing nervous. It just means you care.
Hopefully this will help you with your tournament schedule this summer.
Jim Hartnett, PGA
