My recurring contemplations and practical experiences of letting go on the golf course reminded me of that old Janis Joplin song:
“Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.”
That idea popped into my mind again Thursday when I felt I was letting go of some physical tightness in a yoga class… Yet, somehow, the irony still amazes me that I need to practice letting go, but I do. And then today I received this quote which is attributed to a now deceased golfer named Jerry Wolfe who said,
“I am dying of cancer, and I still get nervous over a four foot putt.”
I’m glad that I’m not the only one who takes this game too seriously sometimes.
I’ve also been reflecting on the quicker pace that some of the young golfers who are playing well this week at the Mercedes-Benz Championship are demonstrating. In fact, they are being praised by Nick Faldo and others on The Golf Channel for this style of play. Most importantly, to me, it seems more naturally reactive (in a good way). I even heard one sound bite (I think it was Aaron Baddeley) where this approach was compared to hitting a tennis ball or a baseball. It’s more like simply stepping up and just hitting the ball (without too much time to think).
I think it’s funny how most of us seem to need to unlearn stuff in order to reconnect with what we already know; but, in the process, I know that we make better use of the natural abilities that we already have.
This is one of the things that I love most about learning about living by playing golf. I think that by learning to let go and swing with more freedom, I am getting closer to really living full out, as well as to playing better golf.
Just my 2 cents. More to come…
2 users commented in " Finding Freedom (Again) "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackBaddeley’s putting routine is awesome for getting back to natural, instinctive golf.
I’ve used the last three rounds. One round I had 29 putts. My lowest putt total I can remember.
Baddeley actually replied to an email from about his putting routine. Below is his reply. The most unique, and courageous thing is he aims the putter without looking at the hole, he only looks the ball when aiming.
Jon – Hidden Valley Lake, CA
Mate, well my putting routine is like this:
1. I read my putt, I never be too specific, I don’t read it being 1 ball outside the right lip, I think of it a little right to left!
2. Then I stand behind the ball I take 3 practice strokes looking up and down the line.
3. Then I walk in looking at the ball only, I set the putter behind the ball and take my stance, my eyes haven’t left the ball yet, I let my brain aim the putter face.
4. I then take one look at the hole and as soon as my eyes reach the ball I take my putter back and hit it.
I have used this routine since I was like 16 so it works really well for me one look is more than enough. Just like a shortstop they take one look and throw to first base.
I hope this helps
Badds
Thanks, Jon. That’s so great. A wonderful detailed look inside a leading PGA pro’s head. I really appreciate you adding this comment and hope to hear from you again soon.