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Be Decisive
 "Approaching a putt with doubt in your mind is nearly always fatal." Bobby Locke
We've all had the experience - caught between two choices. We need to decide whether to play a short side hill putt firmly and straight at the hole, or gently with a break. If we aren't decisive about our choice, if we leave doubt in our minds, the chances of a making it are almost nil.
Why does this occur? Two aspects of mind are involved: one is the conscious, thinking mind that plans, the other is the subconscious, intuitive mind that coordinates body movements. The "planning mind" sends a message to the "coordinating mind," giving it an image of what the body is supposed to accomplish. But when we haven't made a decisive choice, the "coordinating mind" receives two images. So what does it do? It does it's best to combine them!
As we start that short putt, the "coordinating mind" tries to combine the images of the two strategies. If we aim at the hole, it combines that with the other plan's image of hitting it gently. If we play for some break, it combines that with the image of hitting it firmly. Either way, those are losing combinations!
This same confusion happens anytime there's a shot that we have doubts about, anytime we haven't really made up our mind. Know that preparing for each shot as well as one can and then making a commitment to one plan is the only way that there's a chance for success. The stroke made with commitment will be far better than one subject to the tensions and hesitations that come from fear and uncertainty.
As Tom Kite said, "The only correct choice is the decisive one."
So for success in golf: BE DECISIVE!
Other Articles by Dr. Parent
- Accentuate the Positive
- Beware of Trying
- Putt with Imagination
- Patience Pays
- Confidence in Mind and Body
- Be Decisive
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