After discussing the seven second drill with David Heinen last week I was reminded of an additional key to removing over analysis during your swing and waning commitment from your shot.

What am I talking about? Well, remember that time you thought you knew how to fix your swing and you started to change a thing or two? Do you remember how everything went to crap because the number of swing thoughts you had started rival Tiger Woods’ score at The Memorial? That’s what I’m talking about! Or that other time when you were going to hit a six iron, but then you thought it was more like a seven and you kept changing your mind right up until you swung? That too!

(Although, this can be used as a more general confidence builder as well)

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This is a two level process. So try step one, if that works - AWESOME! If it doesn't, try adding step two for another level of success.

Level 1 - The Seven Second Drill

This is very similar to the “think box, play box” from Vision 54, but with a little twist.

The idea here is that you have all the time you want to analyze and visualize your shot, but all the decisions regarding the shot are made while you are standing behind the ball looking down the target line. This is your “Think Box”. Once you leave this area you are no longer allowed to make any changes, whatever happens happens from here on out.

As soon as you take your first step towards addressing the ball you have entered the “Play Box”. This is all about further visualizing and ultimately executing the shot.

Here’s the twist: Once you leave the “think box” you only have seven seconds to hit the shot. If you take too long you have to start over. The idea here is to complete the shot before you even have a chance to think about negative outcomes or other swing thoughts.

For many people this is enough to interrupt the brain’s thought pattern that brings up all of this ancillary information that clouds your decision making, and reduces the confidence and commitment to the shot.

If level one doesn't help you get fully committed, try adding level two to fully eliminate the problem.

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Level 2 - Ready, Aim, Fire!

The second component goes above and beyond eliminating the extraneous thoughts by replacing them with other actions for the brain, specifically verbal commands.

The first portion of Level 2 is the same as Level 1. You analyze and visualize from the “think box”.

Here’s where we add that extra component

Once you have finished analyzing your shot and you're getting ready to leave the “think box”, I want you to say out loud “Ready”. This will affirm your commitment to the shot you've decided on. When you leave the “think box” to address the ball say “Aim”. This helps your brain become target oriented and further separate you from the previous analytical step which can lead to waffling. The third step is to say “Fire” when you're hitting the ball. This is just the last step which keeps your brain focused on execution during the shot process. Further blocking out other swing thoughts and negative targets/results.

Keep in mind you're on the clock! So all of these steps still have to happen in seven seconds.

If you would like some more mental tips check out episodes from Tim Kremer, Greg Liberto, and Jeremy Anderson for some great tips on visualization. As well as Vision 54 for the original theory that this was generated from.

Cheers and I’ll see you in the short grass!

Marty

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