‘Mike Probert talks Golf – The Eyes have It – Part 2

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The Eyes have It – Part 2

In a previous article I discussed the subject of a ‘saccadic’ or rapid eye shift as a technique to counter stress on the golf course or when faced with a difficult shot.

Now I am going to ask you a very simple question, namely, how many eyes have you got?

No, this is not a trick questions so let me explain what I mean.

The brain and nervous system responds best when you focus on the smallest possible target because the ’ thought’ of the target prevents other negative thoughts entering the players head just as he is about to strike the ball.

However do you see the target with your eyes or with your mind?

Bob Rotella the famous mind guru to the USPGA tour stars explains that golfers such as Nick Price select a target and then look back at the ball BUT continue to ‘see’ the target in their mind and they will not hit the ball until they have this image in their minds.

There are other equally good and successful golfers who ‘FEEL’ as though they have a third eye on the side of their head and again when they stop looking directly at the target and focus on the ball, they will continue to see the image of the target in their minds.

There can be slight variations from this theme, for example Tom Kite selects a small target in the distance, thinks about it BUT he does not see a picture of the target in his mind when his eyes return to the ball BUT his mind is still ‘locked’ onto the target.

Just how powerful is the mind in this respect?

The mind is a very accommodating mechanism and will attempt to send the ball in the direction of the last thing that you looked at or pictured in your mind.

For example in the 1992 US Masters (which he ultimately won) Fred Couples came to the famous 12^th hole par 3 hole with the pin tucked in the usual Sunday position of far right with Raes Creek fully in play and waiting for any errant shot.

His strategy for the days play was clear,play to the centre of the green, forget the pin, make a safe par 3 and get the hell out of there.

Best laid plans and all that!

Just as he focused on his target in the centre of the green and looked back to the ball he caught sight of the flag fluttering on the right side of the green and this was the last ‘image’ that his brain received and it tried to re-direct his swing so that the ball went in this direction.

History will tell you that the ball arced to the right towards Raes Creek BUT luckily held above the water line from where he chipped and putted for par.

Except for that small piece of luck with his ball staying ’dry’ history could be indicating a different winner that year and all because of a momentary ‘sneaked’ look at the pin!

So there you have it, without knowing it you have a ’ third’ eye so don’t be afraid to use it…for the better though.

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