73. Simply stand back, get out of your own way, and let your natural ability move in and take over

If you are an avid reader of golf reports and golf books, you will no doubt be aware of the vague phrases "I stayed Focused" or " I was in the zone" used by the top players when referring to a winning performance. Many readers would nod in agreement saying, “Yep, that’s what you need to do to win,” genuinely believing that they actually know what is meant by the statements. However, many thousands would openly confess that they are confused. "Focused on what ?" or "What do they mean by zone? ” are common, head scratching  responses. However, some strugglers of the game believe it simply means "Concentration." A conclusion which is as equally vague as the above two statements because you could say Concentrating on what?

As we all know, our best golf often occurs when we least expect it. The opposite is also true. When we are feeling up for it, we often play our worst game for months. To play at your best gives you an experience which is unique. To explain in words what this experience is like and how to encourage it more often is extremely difficult because it is, quite simply, beyond words. In a vain attempt to shed some light on this issue, I will use ideas from two writers of the mystical aspects of life.

Links to amazon for these 2 books

Eckhart Toll, a spiritual teacher, whose book, "The power of Now "is one; the other is called "Awareness" by the Indian mystic, Osho. Both publications draw heavily on Eastern philosophy.

They both talk of the need to become centred to live fulfilled lives. In Osho's book, he calls upon people to become centred which he says is only really possible by becoming a witness to the incessant chattering that goes on in our heads. Elkhart Tolle calls it watching the thinker. Both authors ask us to step back and observe our actions and thoughts from a distance . Only then can you see that the real us is not in the chaos of mindless chatter and actions but that we are at a "deeper" or higher level from where we can then see a bigger picture. This seems like we are a duality but in truth, it is not. If you take the statement" I cannot control my thoughts," you can then sense that the "I" is the real you and not the thoughts themselves. We are not our thoughts.  Osho attempts to illustrate the point by stating that Eastern philosophy  puts emphasis on the sky whereas we in the West put emphasis on the clouds. When we become aware of our true selves and witness the endless stream of babble (clouds) going on, it has the effect of quietening things down. When this happens we become centred residing in now, clear limitless sky or real self.

The challenge of Golf has the unfortunate effect of drawing you into a confrontation with the problem. We become embroiled in the cloudiness of analysis and this has the effect of making it worse. Confrontation gives fuel to the problem. Stepping back from the problem has remarkable positive effects. Tim Gallwey in his book “The inner game of golf" Link to amazon achieved remarkable results with chronic slicers by telling them  simply to not try to do anything at all;  not to try and hit straight and not to try and stop slicing.

Getting “Focused” or Getting in the “Zone” could be described as a state of “Not trying”Simply stand back, get out of your own way, and let your natural ability move in and take over. It means you have to learn to let go which is something a “Trying” golfer confronting his problems will find hard to do.

Playing "Out of your skin," for some players, has something of an "Out of body experience" about it. It is an altered state of awareness. It is like watching yourself from a different vantage point going through the act of playing the role of a golfer. I am sure it was this kind of experience which led Seve Ballesteros to remark after shooting 65 to win the Open years ago that he felt that “Golf was been played through him, not by him.”