“Stare at the target and glance at the ball”

I wanted to mention another article from the RCGA’s publication, Golf Canada. Interestingly, it too focuses on intentionality as it relates to golf.

This is very much related to the idea of focusing on what you want; being intentional, rather than dwelling upon that which you do not want. As I mentioned in a recent previous post here, a related article was published by Ontario Golf this summer as well.

In the Golf Canada article, titled Watch and learn, Henry Brunton urges all golfers to get out this summer and watch AND LEARN from professional golfers. Brunton offers five key habits and/or tactics, employed by all world-class players.

Item number two drew my attention. Here it is, quoted from Golf Canada.

Stare at the target and glance at the ball. Most recreational golfers pay too much attention to the ball – in fact many are riveted to it – and the ball actually becomes their target. Watch how top competitive players use their eyes effectively. They stare at the target multiple times, usually locking in on it one last time for two or more seconds before they glance at the ball and pull the trigger to hit the shot. The eyes feed the brain the information necessary to effectively calculate distance and factor in environmental conditions so use them to your advantage.

Focus on what you want!

To quote the movie The Secret, “Energy flows where attention goes.”

The entire article can be found online at the Golf Canada website here.

The article was written by Henry Brunton and included on pages 20 and 21 of the July 2009 issue. Golf Canada is of course published by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA).