“Paralysis by analysis”I had just discovered golf at the age of 14, when my dad came home with a highly unusual present. Dad had found a compilation of 100 Tony Jacklin cartoon lessons from the Sunday Express. A four-picture sequence with advice from Britain’s best golfer every week. What more could a boy want?

In hindsight, it was a well-meant but highly corrosive gift; those 400 cartoons and accompanying text were burned onto the hard disk of my memory. It was like being given a 400-piece jigsaw puzzle, but no lid to give me a clear and simple overview.

So, at the outset of my golfing life, I found myself sitting on a shooting stick, holding a budgerigar, standing on a railway line, V’s pointing at my right shoulder with a one-piece takeaway, keeping my left arm straight whilst holding a tray of drinks at the top of my backswing. Apparently, all I had to do then was pull a bell rope, clear my hips, let go of the budgie, throw a bucket of water at the flag, and obviously, point my belt buckle towards the target as I maintained a flexed left knee with a high “reverse C” followthrough. And all while following a mandate to keep it simple!

I have spent the last 40 years recovering from this massive overload of information. Aged 14, I could only think of two things in the 1.8 seconds it took to swing the club... and one of those was Britt Ekland.

Understanding ‘function’ brings clarityBy now, you will have played the first few rounds of the new season. In all probability there already have been days when golf was the easiest game in the world. Alternatively, there are other days when, no matter how hard you think or try, nothing seems to work. It is so frustrating to hit great shots followed by poor ones and not know why the results were so different.

Our bodies only do what our brain commands; if you give a vague instruction you can expect an erratic response. Imagine your first driving lesson; the instructor tells you about the steering wheel but refers to the three pedals as Pedal A, B, and C. He then asks you to depress Pedal A while releasing Pedal B and then press Pedal C as A and B return simultaneously!

That’s all very well, but if you forget that sequence, you are courting disaster! Surely, your instructor needs to explain the function of those

Luther Blacklock explains how to gain consistency early in the seasonThe swing docTor

three pedals at the outset. Pedal A is the Accelerator that makes the car go faster, Pedal B is the Brake that stops the car while Pedal C is the Clutch that separates the engine from the wheels. Now things are a lot clearer. you utilise the pedals in accordance with their function, as opposed to trying to remember a meaningless sequence of instructions.

The three ‘pedals’ of the golf swingAll golfers, no matter their ability, play golf with the same three identical phases – a set-up, a backswing and a throughswing. Now, answer these three simple questions:n What is the function of the set-up?n What is the function of the backswing?n What is the function of the throughswing?

Take a few seconds to ponder now – no hesitation allowed!

If you have not understood in clear and simple terms, the function of those three phases, how can you possibly expect your body to act obediently? Let me clarify things by stating very clearly, the function of those three differing disciplines:n The set-up is to PREPARE mentally and physically.n Your backswing is to CREATE POWER (if you think it’s to get in a good position – you’re dead meat!)n The throughswing is to HIT THE SHOT.

You drive a car with three pedals and a wheel and so does the World Rally Champion; the difference is that he is just that much more skilled at using them. Similarly in golf, you already have a set-up, backswing and throughswing, as does Rory McIlroy. Guess what? Yes, that’s right – he’s just that much better at doing them!

Think clearly – hit shots cleanlyHopefully you can now go to the tee with just three things to ask of your mind and body: Prepare, Load and Release.

If your body disobeys you, then tell it again until it cooperates. When a child hits a bad shot, it tries again – when an adult hits a bad shot, they try something else. No wonder your body gets completely confused!

Consistent golf comes from consistent, persistent and repetitive thought. Stick with your three clear and simple mental instructions and it will be just a matter of time before your body starts to listen.

Find clarity of purpose1. The function of addressing the ball is to get yourself prepared for the shot you want to hit – mentally and physically.2. The throughswing’s purpose is to hit the shot. Grasp that and the swing – and results – will flow.

‘When you give your

brain a vague instruction,

you can expect an

erratic result’

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