Golf Vic Vol 60 No 2 2019

Golfers think they need to change their swing to improve their game. In some cases that is true, but they usually get worse before they get better. Build a consistent pre-shot routine into your game. Most club golfers don’t have one. Basically, you have about 30 seconds before hitting the ball and that’s when you need to be ‘locked in’ on that shot. The pre-shot routine should be automatic so that no other thoughts creep in. What is the process? You have to figure that out for yourself. Take an extra club. If you think it’s a six-iron to the green, take a five-iron. Most club golfers come up short because they don’t strike the ball in the middle of the club. I always think about what club will get me to the back of the green. Most golfers probably will end up in the middle of the green more times than not if they take an extra club. Try to switch off between shots. When I take my glove off and hear the Velcro peel away, that’s my signal to switch off. I don’t want to think about what just happened. I try to talk to my caddy and playing partners as I walk along the fairway and it’s not about golf. As I get to my ball, I pull on the glove again and start thinking about the next shot. It breaks up your round into short bursts and you are still mentally fresh at the end. If you think about your shots all the way around the course, you will be worn out. THREE NICK O’HERN TIPS FOR THE THINKING GOLFER “The US, of course, has the population to produce so many brilliant players but they also have a mentality to succeed whereas other cultures don’t quite have that. In Australia, for instance, we have a lot of technically good players who are not translating that into long-term success. It’s all about the one-percenters and the mental side is one of them. That’s where I can help.” Now 47, the former Australian PGA champion, who won almost $7.5 million over nine seasons on tour in the US, also intends playing in a couple of Australian and New Zealand tournaments a few times each year “as long as I remain competitive”. And, would you believe, since semi- retirement, he has become a right- handed putter. When the anchoring ban for long sticks came in, Nick just couldn’t adapt to the change. He tried a short left- handed putter but never felt comfortable, so he experimented with a short right- handed putter for nine holes. “I putted phenomenally well, which really surprised me,” he said. “I was a good putter with the long handle throughout my career. Could I have been even better had I made the switch all those years ago? “Who knows, but I certainly love it now.” Nick O’Hern working at Spring Valley with VIS member Blake Collyer. 22 Golf Victoria