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GOLF GAB<br />
RED LIGHT–GREEN LIGHT<br />
A great pre-shot method<br />
By John Nelson<br />
A Full Service<br />
Golf Car Company<br />
Golf Car Sales & Expert Repairs<br />
954-977-4131<br />
Margate, Florida<br />
Much discussion about the golf swing has become technical and<br />
mechanical. Yes, it is important to understand how your golf swing<br />
can work best for you. Having proper swing fundamentals will<br />
allow you to repeat good consistent golf shots. It is also important<br />
to be mentally ready to hit each shot. A great pre-shot method to<br />
use when playing golf is Red Light-Green Light. How to apply<br />
this method is like using stop lights at intersections. When the<br />
light is red you stop, and when it is green you go. Your mind set<br />
needs to be in the green light mode – go with confidence!<br />
Prior to making a swing on<br />
the golf course, your mental<br />
thought process is to achieve<br />
the green light level, thus giving<br />
you the confidence and assurance<br />
to make the shot without<br />
any hesitations. You do not<br />
want to have hesitations or<br />
doubts when hitting your shots.<br />
Also, thinking about too many<br />
physical and technical thoughts<br />
creates yellow or red light scenarios<br />
that can result in negative<br />
thoughts and bad swings. While<br />
on the golf course, nobody<br />
wants to play bad golf and not<br />
enjoy himself.<br />
To achieve a green light mind<br />
set with a positive, confident<br />
and ready attitude, the player<br />
must do the pre-shot routine<br />
This photo shows a green balloon above<br />
my head indicating that my mind is in<br />
the green light mode before I swing. Be<br />
ready, positive and confidently committed.<br />
Then Go!<br />
consistently and correctly for each shot. A good routine would be<br />
having a positive objective, a correct set-up, proper yardage, and<br />
the ability to visualize the correct ball flight. Then take a practice<br />
swing and feel the swing that will be required to hit the shot. Now<br />
allow your mind and body to be in a positive … green light mode<br />
and swing with confidence and commitment. If you are not ready<br />
mentally, do not swing until you go from the Red Light to Green<br />
Light mode. Regardless of your level of play, you can benefit from<br />
this Red Light-Green Light method. You have to practice this<br />
method to achieve success. Try doing drills on the range or the<br />
chipping and putting green. You will be amazed at your success.<br />
Enjoy this method and have fun playing! P<br />
John Nelson is a South Florida PGA Hall of Famer and Director of<br />
Instruction at the Country Club of Coral Springs. He can be reached at<br />
its website at www.ccofcs.com.<br />
98<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2015</strong>
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