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Golf Tips for Functional Golf:
Functional golf is a term I use with perfectionist students that have a hard time staying composed when they don't perform perfectly or hit perfect shots. They become too obsessed with how it looks and how it feels rather than getting it done. In my opinion, this on-course obsession is counter-productive to playing your best golf. Function golf is the ability to get the job done and play to play great today instead of worrying about how you are getting the job done. Todd Hamilton became the 2004 British Open champion by adopting the attitude of playing functional golf. Hamilton, who prior to earning his PGA Tour card for the first time in 2004, struggled on the Asian tour for many years. This year at the British Open Todd Hamilton earned his Doctorate in functional golf. He knows that he does not hit the laser iron shots like Els or Woods hit. Hamilton relies on a superior short game and what he called playing ugly golf. "I don't hit the ball as good as a lot of well-known players, but my short game is very good. And I think when I don't hit the ball well, having a good short game allows me to at least be competitive, maybe not on a scale like this every week, but I play what I call ugly golf. I hit a lot of punch shots, a lot of big slices off the tees, or big fades, just to keep the ball in play." He really did play ugly golf on the 18th hole of regulation scraping out a bogey to get into a playoff with Els, which could have easily turned into a double or triple. Here are a couple ideas to help you play functional golf and win ugly: (1) Abandon playing golf the right way for the functional way. Put aside judgments about your golf swing and think about getting the ball in the hole any way you can. Don't try to fix the problem either. This will probably make matters worse. At the most, use one swing cue (that has worked in the past) to help you get some tempo or feel back. Stick to the basics and don't search for a magical swing key that will "fix" your swing. You are sure to play army golf if you change swing thoughts every shot.
(2) Many pros have a shot they can trust on a tight hole. Use your "go-to" shot to keep the ball in play. Hit the shot you are confident you can get into play. This maybe a low cut or punch shot. Get the job done-do not worry if it is not the shot you should play. Get the ball in play off the tee anyway you can even if it is not the shot you prefer or expect you should hit. (3) Save your energy for the end of the round. Do not grind between shots by thinking intensely about your next shot. You cannot possible focus for four hours straight. Instead, relax your focus between shots, kick it in for 30 seconds when it is your turn to play, and reserve your mental energy for the end of the round. (4) Save the practice for after the round. Work on your swing after the round, not during the round. Don't get into the habit of playing golf swing on the course, play golf shots instead. If you hit a couple poor shots, put them in your back pocket for after the round. Dr. Patrick J. Cohn is a master mental game coach who works with golfers of all levels including PGA and LPGA Tour players. Visit Peaksports.com to gain access to over 400 exclusive mental game articles, audio programs, and interviews with athletes and coaches to enhance your golf potential: or call 888-742-7225.
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