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How to Run Your Golfing Brain - Scott CranfieldThe Concept of Associative Learning
This article will show you how to use mental images that help you feel confident about the task in hand and put you in an appropriate frame of mind for the shot required. When you approach a familiar task you probably feel calm, certain and confident. And you probably feel fairly nervous, weak or uncertain when faced with the unknown. Let me show you how you can use your non-golfing experiences to produce better golf through what is called associative learning.
The key is to retain an image in your mind of a task at which you are successful whilst playing a shot, which is causing you feelings of nervousness, uncertainty and pending failure.
The following examples will enable you to put associative learning into practise:
Example 1. A Tight Tee Shot or Approach
In order to develop an image of success in your mind think about one of the actions listed below. Naturally feel free to experiment with your own confidence boosting activities.
- Throwing A Tennis Ball - Good throwers would have no difficulty throwing a tennis ball down the narrowest of fairways or on to the tightest of greens. This strong image displaces any negative thoughts associated with a difficult shot.
- Threading A Needle - A skilful activity and therefore a good association for a similarly precise function.
- Driving A Car Through A Narrow Gap - Provided that this activity comes easily to you, another useful association and eliminator of negative thoughts.
- Throwing A Dart- Anybody with the skill to play darts could use the image of scoring say, a 20, while they face a difficult shot.
Example 2. Putting
- Removing The Ball From the Hole - Imagine yourself carefully retrieving the ball from the hole. Thinking of this easily performed and pleasurable act will put you in the right frame of mind to hole the putt.
- Pour Tea or Coffee Into A Cup - Again an easily performed act and a relaxing association whilst addressing any putt.
- Potting a Snooker or Pool Shot - Imagining a simple pot works well as an antidote to negative putting thoughts.
Example 3. A Short Pitch
- Throwing A Ball To A Friend - Another easily performed action appropriate to the tempo of most pitch shots.
- Throwing Litter into A Bin - For those experts at this apparently simple activity, an excellent associative skill for that delicate pitch. Lawn Bowls - For those proficient at lawn bowls, the image of rolling a wood to a distant jack would form an ideal association for a medium length pitch or long chip. Clearly you have to select an image which works best for you and which maximises your level of confidence for particular shots.
Example 4. Improving Rhythm
Associative learning exercises can be created to improve virtually all areas of your game. For example, the following images are designed to improve rhythm, an essential to accurate and consistent shot making.
- The Melting Ice Cube - Imagine an ice cube melting with water running down the side of the cube and forming a small pool.
- Casting A Fishing Rod - Imagine the backward and forward movement of the rod as the line is cast.
- Willows in the Wind - the graceful movement of willow trees in strong wind forms a powerful but rhythmic image.
- A Soaring Eagle - Imagine a huge eagle soaring on a thermal - totally relaxed and unflustered.
Example 5. Long Hitting
My final images will help you drive the ball that extra 10 or 20 yards.
- Firing An Arrow - while swinging your driver imagine drawing back the bow and releasing the arrow as you swing through the ball to a relaxed finish.
- Canoeing Down the Rapids - Imagine canoeing down a full, fast running river and imagine that as you swing the club the canoe disappears over a waterfall. Please let your imagination run riot in your next practise session and do let me know what images have worked for you.
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