Commit to your Shot!

Commit to your Shot! by Rosie Jones

Commit to your Shot!

Many times on the GOLF CHANNEL you will hear the commentator refer that the player needs to commit to this shot. Meaning: To have total faith and trust in their decision and execution of this shot. That in itself can sometimes be as hard as learning the correct swing.

Rosie Jones won 13 times in her LPGA Tour career. (WireImage)

From the very moment a player has pulled a club from the bag he/she has usually already decided on a particular shot to their target. That means they have imagined a visual of their ball flight after assessing the distance to the flag, the wind direction and lie of the ball. All of these variables lead to the optimum flight pattern giving the player the best possible chance to hit the ball close to the flag.

Many times – and most golfers feel this on every level – players will get distracted by the fear of a miss-hit or bad result and consequently hit a bad shot. Every player wants to minimize their risk of failure, but you cannot do so if you do not first commit to the desired shot or shot plan.

Each shot demands the attention of those elements above: lie, distance, club selection and flight pattern; as well as sensing the natural elements like wind and change of elevation. Once you have made your decision based on those variables, you only need to commit to yourself that this swing will lead me to that result. Have fun and trust your ability. Allow your body to be athletic while still focused on your intended target. Let your practice pay off and do not be distracted in mid-swing.

So many times at the very last second a player will remind him or herself of the hazard to the right or the bunker short of the green or suddenly realize that this lie promotes a fade.

All disastrous thoughts that lend to miss-hits or bad results.

Stay ahead of the game and hit more consistent shots by being more committed to your decisions and the ability to hit each shot as you wish. To be committed is to have total faith and no fear of where the ball my end up. Have fun and hit the ball. Chase it and hit it again. That is playing the game of golf.