Funnelvision

Positive Energy

Have you ever played golf in a state of “positive energy?” Golfers who experience “positive energy” describe themselves as being relaxed and loose, yet charged with high energy, optimism, and confidence. Their performance is effortless and automatic. They are completely absorbed in the moment. The state of “positive energy” is better known as The Zone.

While we can’t deliberately will this state, we can eliminate the factors that reduce its possibility. keep us from playing our best. Negative, mechanical, or extraneous thoughts, poor self-talk, concern for previous mistakes and failures keep us from playing our best. Worry about upcoming shots or score, along with other inappropriate, emotional, attentional, physical, and physiological behaviors also exclude golfers from The Zone. Zone-like experiences occur when our mind, body, and eyes are working in perfect harmony and we are focused only on the task at hand.?

The Zone is not solely reserved for elite athletes. Anyone, regardless of ability, can play in a state of positive energy. You play in this state when you eliminate all sources of distraction from interfering with your ability to play up to your potential. When you do, conscious and unconscious self-doubt subsides, your confidence soars; you become deaf and blind to all external distractions and oblivious to internal demons that threaten your performance. You perform as well as you are capable shot after shot.?

Funnelvision

The process of eliminating all external and internal sources of interference is referred to as “Funnelvison.” How and what you think while playing golf has a tremendous impact on your performance. If your thoughts are clear, concise, and organized, your performance is crisp and precise. If your mind is cluttered with extraneous or interfering thought, your performance lacks precision and consistency. In other words: Garbage In – Garbage Out.?

There are specific tasks that must be completed prior to executing any shot so the mechanical action of the putting shot is correct and precise. These tasks include analyzing the shot for distance and directional cues to determine club selection, and any environmental factors that might alter your decisions.??

During your pre-shot routine you will then visualize the path you think the ball will follow from its position on the ground or tee to its final resting place in the fairway or on the green. It also includes determining a Target Line and selecting a Target Point, assuming the correct address position and aiming the putter precisely at your Target Point, as well as creating a mental connection with your Target Point, and reducing the effects of self-doubt and fear, if necessary. All of this must be funneled out step-by-step before the shot is initiated.?

Interfering Thoughts

Mechanical thoughts or thoughts interfere with the automatic retrieval of those mechanics from memory. Even in putting the action occurs too fast for the conscious mind to attempt control of the stroke. The movements must already be well learned and automatic.

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In addition, the importance of any situation combined with the uncertainty of the outcome creates excessive conscious and physiological demands on the system designed to execute your mechanics. Golfers must be completely absorbed in their role as golfer. Concerns about issues affecting other aspects of their lives (home, school, career, finances, etc.) also have a debilitating effect on performance. All these non-task thoughts must be funneled out prior to shot execution.?

Just like all your physical skills, the pre-shot routine must be practiced. You want the routine to be as automatic so it is completed in minimal time and with very little effort. The best time to practice your pre-shott routine is after you’ve worked on your mechanical skills.

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