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The Fairway Of Life
Simple Secrets To Playing Better Golf By Going With The Flow ~
Rand Scott Marquardt
Life & Mental Golf Performance Coach 
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When you are playing or putting your best there is an almost magically effortless stroke. It is as natural as walking or driving your car without thinking. The same can be said about drinking a glass of water. There is no conscious effort to pick up the glass, hold it in your hand, lift your arm, tilt your head, or even swallow, and then to set it down on the counter softly. No, it’s completely natural and effortless. And believe it or not, when you are putting your best you’re not even thinking about it.
Remember when Hardy made the putt in Bagger Vance in the scene at night? He simply let it happen. I’m inviting you to practice more of the same. Obviously, you’ll read your putt. You’ll see the line. You’ll feel the distance. You will take in all the elements such as grain, speed, break, conditions, etc. – your body will process this in a matter of seconds. You’ll go through your normal practice routine. You’ll align your putter blade…and (here’s the secret), just prior to executing…relax, be present, and simply putt to nowhere, which also stands for now here. While the wisdom of your body will be putting to the target, the feeling is a putting to nowhere, giving your best effort, but effortless. All your focus is in the now - head down, eyes over the ball, feeling the line, and distance, shoulders, arms, and hands swinging naturally, almost pendulum like. There’s no flinching or sudden jerk, or any kind of tension whatsoever, just as natural as rolling a ball.
Putting to nowhere and now here are both one and the same. I am putting effortlessly feeling like I am putting to nowhere – even though my mind, body, and spirit have already calculated in everything in perfect harmony. All you have to do is get out of your own way and let it happen. Because if you try too hard to make it happen and want it so badly (too much future and result-oriented process), most likely peeking and coming out of your putt, you will end up pushing it further away. Likewise, if you have past thoughts of previous failure you are also out of the present moment of now. Playing present golf means you are now here in this moment, the only moment you will ever have. Here are the three keys to successful putting:
1. Seek joy first
2. You are now here
3. Putt to nowhere
Practice and remember these three concepts, especially integrating the concept of seeking joy and having fun first, and all the growth you could ever imagine will come joyously and abundantly into your life. Stop taking it so serious, and start having more fun! I guarantee your putting will improve and after it is all said and done so will your scores. Embrace watching your handicap drop. In fact, set an intention to play better golf (stretch your comfort zone) and you will.
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3 Responses to “Putting To Nowhere”
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Rand Marquardt
I just want to have the freedom and feeling of putting to nowhere while still aiming at the target. There is a feeling in the initial contact between the putter and the ball where it is almost a cushioned, magical blow. Perhaps difficult to describe? I’ll work on this description as I practice in the house.
I putt toward a cup target with 4 balls and then I putt back to where I started without a target seeking to imitate this same stroke to nowhere, which also means now here when it is for real - if that makes sense. It’s when it all counts, that’s really what this is all about. How do you react, flinch, pull, stab, jab, jerk versus being smooth, relaxed, flowing, natural. On the golf course we get one chance on this very putt right here, right now. Anyone can be relaxed while practicing, the key is to be able to duplicate it when it counts. That’s keeping your nerves and emotions under control having fun in the present moment. The better it gets, the better it gets.
…and let me tell you, like Freddy Couples, I am far from mastering this putting experience. However, I am asking to become a better putter in 2010. I’m gonna be a better putter in 2010! Set the intention, have a goal, dream bigger - call it what you want. Let me hear from you! Put or putt it out there on the line. Announce and declare, express and experience, become and fulfill.
I know what you mean Rand when putting just like everything else is going well on the golf course there isn’t a “feeling” when you hit the ball it just happens and you don’t really remember the actually backswing or follow through. I think thats the real definition of zone. you get out the way and just do it just like they talk about on the Legend of Bagger Vance.