So what makes so many of the world's top golfers look so nonchalant, especially during the last nine on Sunday, when they are really trying to win? Well, it obviously includes technical golfing skill, course management and an understanding of the physics of golf. However, when I first work on the course with some of my new clients, I see golfers who have all those things and more. The problem is that they're not yet winning or coming in the top 10 very often.
What makes the difference is that those consistently successful players combine those skills and knowledge with a controlled and measured level of concentration; while sticking to their routines.
What do I mean by Concentration?
Although a high level of concentration seems to be the key to consistent success at the highest levels, there's more than one way to concentrate. Some players, like Nick Faldo, felt the need to hold their concentration for complete rounds or even tournaments. That's very hard on the nerves and probably one of the reasons that Nick now prefers to commentate rather than play top-level golf.
By way of contrast, Luke Donald is just as focussed when he's planning and executing his shots, but between shots he looks much more relaxed and nonchalant between shots. Maybe that's why he had the capacity to head the money lists on the PGA and European Tours in 2011.
Then there's the story of European Tour player Phil Archer. He had a reputation for winning the pro-am events on the Wednesdays before the main tournaments and then missing the cut on the Fridays. In the tournament he tried to concentrate like a Nick Faldo, while in the pro-am he'd focus, between concentrating briefly on his own shots, on helping his amateur partners enjoy their day. I bet they thought he was acting cool when they were playing with him! When he started to be nonchalant between shots in the main tournament, he started to win.
How do I become Nonchalant?
The best advice is to focus most of your efforts on consistently following your routines and only really concentrate on the shot in hand. Between shots, you can enjoy yourself and be as nonchalant as you possibly can. There's really nothing you can do constructively between shots, other than simply relax and enjoy the experience. When you are actually planning and executing your shots, it's an entirely different story. That’s what I call, "Golf in the Playing Zone".
Remember to keep an eye out for nonchalance on the golf course, especially from the top players, like Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood.
Andrew Fogg, the Golf Hypnotist, is an enthusiastic golfer, hypnotherapist and NLP Master Practitioner. He is a golf psychologist and author of a recently published book "The Secrets of Hypnotic Golf" and a series of Golf Hypnosis audio programmes.
You can find many interesting articles on his website that discuss golf in the playing zone.