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The Oscillating Golf Mind

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(This is the third of a five part series inspired by yoga’s systemization of inner wisdom and the ‘Qualities of Mind’) 

“Viksipta describes the mind that is able to focus, but only sporadically, and for short, finite periods of time.” -Bhavani Maki

Most golfers have this common quality of mind. We birdie the first 2 holes and then a ‘brain fart’ leads to hitting the wrong club out of bounds. Moments of solid attention followed by a lack of confidence over a 3 foot putt plague the typical golfer.

“The mind is moving but the movement lacks consistent purpose and direction.  The mind encounters obstacles (i.e.’don’t hit it in the water’) and doubts (i.e. ‘is this the right club?’). It alternates between knowing what it wants to do and uncertainty.” -T.K.S. Desikachar

Tricks to manage the Oscillating Mind are:

  • A simple Pre-Shot Routine. (Harness the mind for 4-9 seconds).
  • Practice Concentration. (We work on our golf swing, why not work to establish consistent focus?)
  • Get Present Drill. (Practice coming back to the present moment again, and again, and again and again. . . it’s that simple and that difficult).

As we notice our Oscillating Mind, we can start to find moments of One-Pointed Focus. . .this takes us closer to the quality of mind for optimum golf performance.  More to come. . .

Dodie Mazzuca is the founder of Golf PROformance and teaches golf and mindset programs in Santa Cruz, CA.

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