Being
In
Control
Whilst Letting
Go
Being in
control on
the
golf
course
whilst swinging
freely and
relaxed -
this
almost
sounds
like
a contradiction in
terms,
but
it's
not. It
is
the
goal,
every
time
you
walk
onto
the
course.
The
reasons
are
many
-
so
let's
look
first
at
the
danger
of
being too
much
in
control.
Now,
if
your
action
is
overly controlled, this
means
that
your
body
gets
its
swinging instructions from
your
weaker
'conscious'
mind
(the
center
of
all
thought)
-
and
this
usually
guarantees
a
stiff,
wooden
action
that lacks rhythm
and
feel. This
is
the
exact
opposite
of
the
flowing,
rhythmic
action
we
are
after.
Your
conscious
mind's
main
purpose
on
the
golf
course
generally
has nothing to
do
with
your strokes (as
it
is
almost
famous
for ruining a
great
round!)
-
its
role
lies
in
brainstorming
solutions
to
problems
(ie.
the
best
way
to
get
out
of
the
rough,
avoid
bunkers
etc)
and
determining
your
strategies
for
each
situation.
However,
once
this
golfing reconnaisance
work is
done
by
your
conscious
mind,
it's
then
up
to
your
body
to
do
the
physical
work
-
which
is
to
create
the
perfect
stroke
which
will
enable
you
to execute
that
strategy perfectly.
The
only
way
this
is
possible
on
a
regular
basis
is
to
allow
your
powerful subconscious to
almost
totally
run
your
body's
performance,
as
this
is
your control
center
of
all
movement
- and
it
knows exactly how
to
hit
the
shot
you
require, if
it
is
only allowed to
by
the
weaker
conscious
mind.
The
best
way
for
this
to
happen
is
to
be
physically
and
mentally
relaxed at
the
very
moment
you
begin your
shot.
So
what
we
are really aiming
for
is
to
remain emotionally
in
control,
but
physically
relaxed. This
gives
you
the
absolute
best
of
both
worlds
-
your
conscious
and
subconscious
minds
working
together
on
each
shot, but
separately -
ie.
you
have
a
stable,
rational
and
clear
mind
to
consciously
think
and
plan
your
shots
with,
but
utilizing
a
calm,
relaxed
body
which
is
getting
its
instructions
from
your
subconscious
to
hit
perfect
rhythmic
swings.
Of
course,
it's
important
to
note
that to
be
emotionally
in
control
requires
a
certain
level
of
mental
relaxation. And
as
your
mind
controls
your
body, it's
difficult
to
be physically relaxed
if
you
are
mentally
tense
or
nervous. So
if
you
are
feeling tense,
nervous
or
even
angry
during
a
round
-
take
a
few
deep
breaths
and
try
to exhale
some
of
the
tension from
your
body.
Also
stretch
your
arms
and
shoulders
a
little
to
try
and
remove
any
physical
tension
from
your
shoulders,
as
relaxed
shoulder
muscles
are
important
if
your
swing
is
going
to
be
fluent.
Most
of
all, check
in regularly
with
your
own
mind
and
body,
maybe
before
each
tee
shot
-
and
notice
your
current
levels
of emotional
control, physical
relaxation and
freedom
of
movement.
If
you
notice
that
either
are
out
of
balance,
make
some
changes
and
keep
moving
yourself
mentally
and
physically
back
towards
that perfect
balance again.
