Why does visualization work?
Having a plan for a shot will always be better than not having one, and you will have to “visualize” in one way or another. Let’s take a look at why this is the case, no matter what type of visualization you use.
Visualization gives us a clear intention which will increase commitment
If done the right way (for you), visualization will get you focused on what you are intending to do with the golf shot, which will increase commitment and lower doubt, distraction and “thinking”, which is essential for hitting good shots. Everyone performs better with clear goals which keeps them focused on things that will positively impact their performance.
Visualization primes the mind and body
By visualizing yourself performing an action and the outcome of it will tell the body which muscles it needs to use to create that movement for real (without you having to think about it while doing it)
Visualization keeps your focus more external
Studies on motor learning and skill acquisition by academics such as Professor Gabriele Wulf, show that (generally speaking) people have more success in performing the correct movement patterns when they are focused more on what they are trying to achieve with their movement, rather than focusing on the movement itself. An example of this would be getting a slicer to create a more in to out swing path by getting them to try and hit a draw rather than telling them how they need to move their body to do it. On the golf course, most golfers move away from what they are trying to achieve and focus more on swing mechanics which exacerbates poor play.
Visualizing a good outcome increases confidence
By imagining the desired outcome of your shot, you’ll feel more confident in your ability to hit it. The opposite, imagining the outcome you fear is never going to help you hit a good shot.
What type of visualization is best for you?
We all see the world in slightly different ways. We communicate and learn in different ways. Our personality type is a major factor in how to best approach the mental game of golf and determine what “process” is best for you. This is why I evaluate students with my mental game assessment before we start working together, to understand more about their personality type and so we can start working on the optimal process for that individual player.
Are you trying to do something that doesn’t come naturally to you?
Whenever a new student tells me “I want to get better at visualization”, it becomes apparent that they want to be able to visualize the shot like Jack Nicklaus describes. My response is to ask why they think this will help them and to tell me what they think they do when they play their best golf.
Having worked with thousands of players over the years, I’ve heard every possible way to create an intention for tee shots, approaches, short game shots and putts. There are probably hundreds of possible combinations. I’ve worked with Tour players and elite level amateurs who don’t visualize the shot by seeing the ball in the air like a movie and they have made it inside the top 1000 players in the world.
By trying to do something that doesn’t fit with your personality type and learning style can create stress and move you further away from the optimal state of mind for performance.
Different Ways To Visualize A Golf Shot
There is no “best way” to visualize a golf shot, it comes down to what works best for you. Experiment with these different types of visualization and see what produces the better shots. Here are some of the ways that I’ve seen high performing players of different personality types use visualization.
- Those players who are more creative/intuitive can perform better when they aim into wider areas of the golf course. They create a picture of the shape of the shot clearly and let that image create the swing.
- Some players benefit from what’s called kinesthetic visualization – visualizing the shot more by feel than by “seeing” it. This doesn’t necessarily need to be a rehearsal of the shot, but imagining what the shot will feel like (i.e. the feel impact and certain body parts during the movement).
- Some players will “see” the movement of their body/swing before playing the shot more than they do the ball flight. This is called “process visualization”.
- Some players see the shot tracer line (as seen on the TV golf coverage) in a specific color
- Some players are better with the “aim small, miss small” approach and will see small targets (for shaped shots this would be an intermediary target and final target)
- Some players are better when they verbalize the shot (either out loud or in their heads)
And there are plenty of other ways….
Experiment during practice and reflect after rounds
In my training program, I take players through a way to experiment with these different types of visualization and how to build a pre shot routine which fits with their personality type, meaning they hit more shots with confidence and with less stress.
Reflection of your best performing self and doing some self-discovery of your personality type will give you clues for your optimal mental approach to lower your scores.
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