Do you lose concentration at times during your round of golf and end up having a hard time hitting it?
You know as well as I do that in order to solve a problem we first have to know what the problem is, right? Well, what if I told you that the problem with trying to correct your loss of concentration is that you really think you are losing concentration? In other words, I am saying that you are not losing concentration and until you appreciate it you will not solve your problem on the golf course. I think you can’t really lose something like concentration in the normal course of things, but actually shift concentration from where it should be to somewhere else.
As you realize that your focus has not been on your golf, you tend to run in the false belief that you have somehow lost the ability to focus. Saying that you have lost concentration is like saying that you have lost part of your mind for a while. You’d be surprised how many times golfers tell me they lost focus for a few holes and then managed to get it back! Wow! Where did they lose it? Lost it in the hedge and came back and found it? Lost it in your golf bag for a few holes?
You are not losing anything, certainly not the part of your mind that is responsible for focus and concentration. They just don’t adhere to a Professional Swing Sequence, commonly called a Pre-Shot Routine, which is actually the very same mechanism that, when applied correctly, will ensure that you are fully focused on each and every shot, whether it’s a 2-pointer. feet. putt or a thoroughbred drive.
And when we say fully focused, we mean fully focused on the right things that will actually help you perform better rather than your focus drifting to the things that are detrimental to peak performance. It is during these changes in focus that shots go and golfers believe they have lost focus. Remember that you have just allowed your focus to drift in all the wrong places. This realization is the first step in resolving the problem and the next step is to learn, implement and strictly adhere to the Pro Swing Sequence or as others call it the Pre Shot Routine.
Are you losing focus at similar times in a round? You could be dehydrated.
OK, there’s a caveat to this in that if you allow yourself to become dehydrated, your brain will no longer be able to function properly and this will certainly interfere with your ability to focus. If you find that you are thirsty, your body is crying out for water. If you develop a slight headache, then you are already dehydrated and will need quite a few holes to bring your hydration and brain function back to normal. The lesson here is to never take chances with hydration and make sure you drink more than you think you need on a regular basis throughout the course. On a hot day playing 18 holes of golf you will need several liters of clean, pure water. (if you are drinking liquids high in sugar or worse, alcohol, don’t bother reading any further, I have absolutely no sympathy for you or your game. Alcohol on the golf course is for golfers who just don’t know they are serious about playing their best. Headed out for a big night of celebration last night? Still hungover? Your golf will suffer, so make sure the party was worth it!
Summary.
If you are dehydrated or chemically unbalanced due to alcohol or drug use, then your brain will not function normally, you have not lost brain function, interfered with it by allowing dehydration, or inducing harmful chemicals into your system. Remember that your brain is the largest user of water in your body and suffers greatly when it becomes as little as 10% dehydrated. Drink more water and less alcohol! Drink water regularly on the golf course to avoid “in-game” dehydration that will no doubt cost you shots.
Dehydration and chemicals aside, you won’t lose concentration or focus. You are allowing it to go somewhere else and you realize that this is the first part of solving it. Develop a solid sequence of processes you go through for each shot which, as one of its benefits, will keep you focused on the shot at hand. Develop a pro swing sequence and watch your game (and approach) come to life!