Wednesday, February 7, 2007

No Routine in Artful Golf

I recently listened to a Podcast at TeeTour.com where the host interviewed Fred Shoemaker about his books, Extraordinary Golf and Extraordinary Putting.


Autumn Redux by Linda's Manymuses at flickr.com

During the interview, Shoemaker shared that he doesn't recommend that golfers use swing thoughts or pre-shot routines. He believes that both of these common practices in golf actually remove you from the present moment. The act of having to remember or think about a swing though or routine takes your mind from the present and puts it in the past. The golfer is only capable of creating shots when he remains in the present moment.

Hearing this was music to my ears since I've resisted incorporating swing thoughts and pre-shot routines into my own game. I've found that you can't be creative in visualizing and executing a shot if you just go through the same routine on every shot. Perhaps you can find a level of consistency from routine, but consistency can be boring and limiting.

Breaking out of a routine opens the door to creativity and artful golf.

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The Artful Golfer

A journal by an ordinary golfer sharing insights and experiences on his quest to play extraordinary golf.
Years: 3+; LI: 2.4; Aces: 2; Age: 50
The Artful Golfer

Golf as Art

When you disappear, Golf as Art shows up. The resulting void is where all the important discoveries, personal development, satisfaction, joy and fulfillment take place.
Fred Shoemaker

Extraordinary Golf

The key to extraordinary golf is having the courage to keep your possibilities open.
Fred Shoemaker

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  • Mar 05 - Started playing (1 rd/week)
  • Jun 05 - Broke 80 (21st round)
  • Nov 05 - Increased play (2 rds/week)
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  • Jan 06 - 10 GIR (62nd round)
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  • May 08 - Sub-3 Index (382nd round)
  • Aug 08 - 50th Course (420th round)

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