Make 2009 Great: Join The Golf Tribe And Play Your Best Golf

Author: Cameron  |  Category: Golf

If you want to play you best golf in 2009 then you’ll want to join the Golf Tribe. I think it’s a good time to make a commitment and get motivated to take your golf to a new level.

The Golf Tribe is a group of like minded golfers who are keen to work together and share their experiences with the automatic (natural learning) golf improvement process.

Here’s how it works

If you’re ready to get started here’s what you need to do:

  1. Publicly Commit. This might be a bit scary but you’ll thank me later. By committing you’ll be more likely to stick to the process and see results. Add a comment below and briefly tell everyone what you’d like to achieve in the next 30 days.
  2. Read the guidelines. I’ve put more detailed guidelines on this page.
  3. Report your progress below after each round, practice session or at the end of January 2009.
  4. Join the teleseminar. There will be a teleseminar in early February. We can all sit down and have a good discussion on our progress in a big phone hook up. You’ll be able to ask questions, provide feedback and learn.

That’s it. I’m not sure where all this will go at this stage but I think it will be something special. Any golfer can join and it’s free of charge. The only commitment is your time and energy.

See the rules (guidelines) for this 30 day challenge (click here)

My Golfing Challenge:

To kick things off here’s my commitment for the next 30 days.

I’m going to play at least four rounds of golf in January. I’m going to commit to the automatic process and strive to be more free flowing and loose.

I want to play more aggressively with my irons. I’ve been too conservative with approach shots and scared of making mistakes. This will take some practice which I plan on doing by playing two games of golf with my irons only. All games in January I will play each iron shot at the flag and not be concerned about the score (or making a mistake)

Finally, I’ve had some trouble with hip tightness lately. By the end of January I want to be able to perform a full squat. I will stretch my hip flexors each day for a few minutes.

Wish me luck!

Cameron

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229 Responses to “Make 2009 Great: Join The Golf Tribe And Play Your Best Golf”

  1. Leon Says:

    My commitment is to:
    - keep my head down and eye on the ball
    - take a bolder approach to long approach shots over water hazards
    - play a round under my handicap (11) in January

  2. Steve Says:

    Bring it on!!

  3. Barry Brown Says:

    Firstly, I intend playing in the Hunter for one week in January as well as twice a week at my own course.

    My aim is to improve my pitches around the green to overcome my short game.

    Looking a the back of the ball has a lot of promise in my game as I can keep my on the ball for a longer period.

  4. Barry Brown Says:

    Firstly, I intend playing in the Hunter for one week in January as well as twice a week at my own course.

    My aim is to improve my pitches around the green to overcome my short drives.

    Looking a the back of the ball has a lot of promise in my game as I can keep my eye on the ball for a longer period.

  5. Kevin Oliver Says:

    I am still trying to rebuild my swing after surgery to my arms and trying to get an automatic swing going but so far not much luck but then again half the fun is trying.

  6. Terry Sowter Says:

    By reading and practicing the approach of trust your natural swing and don’t second guess with your putts (Choose the line and once over the ball make the putt) I have shaved seven(7) stokes off my Handicap. So needless to say this is the way I will go in 2009.

    Thank you for the information that you pass on.

  7. Let’s Play Better Golf In 2009 | Golf Learning Secrets Revealed Says:

    [...] This is what my Golf Tribe is all about. For the full story head over here. [...]

  8. Arthur Says:

    I am determined to improve my golf tenfold & as such let’s get the new year started on a hot note & break 100. In you I trust, bring it on!!!!!

  9. Maurice Dale Says:

    Cameron, I would like to join in with the Golf Tribe, but I am heading in your direction tomorrow for 5 weeks holiday with my daughter in Queensland.

    Hopefully, I will catch up with events in mid February.

    Best Wishes

    Maurice Dale

  10. andy Says:

    to play more than i practise this wil be a good one for me

  11. Steady Says:

    Courses frozen solid in my neck of woods at moment. If possible, I commit to play at least 3 rounds during Jan. I want to play as freely as possible and without any expectation as to score. My aim is to relax and use automatic process to give base from which to improve over coming year.

    Cheers

    Steady

  12. Cameron Strachan Says:

    Hi Team,

    I cheated. Managed to sneak in 11 holes last night, so I guess I’ve got a bit of a head start.

    Had the course to myself and played without a care in the world and with no thought about swing or score. Took a while to loosen up but then the game started to flow.

    The last 5 holes were magic. Long drives and crisp irons. Birded 2 of last four. Don’t know why (it happened subconsciously), but I teed the ball a little higher with driver and hit some towering drives.

    Lot’s of fun. More to come later.

    Cameron

  13. Tony Lucas Says:

    After many years of trying so hard to be the best I have decided to really give the automatic process a go.I know it is really hard to let go but I feel bit by bit I am starting to get there and look forward to joining the tribe nad really get there.At this stage getting a better short game in both chipping and putting is my challenge.Happy New Year one and all.
    Tony (Lukey)

  14. noel jacobs Says:

    Having had bypass surgery 18 months ago I aim to loosen up and not try to romove the cover off the ball, to slow things down and play like a beginner. I am determined to remove a large percentage of strokes from my handicap, (before i have a stroke). Good luck to everyone.

  15. scott Says:

    my only aim this year is to play consistent golf at my home course. can go to any other course and shot the lights out, but cant even get close at my own course. in fact, only shot/beat handicap once in over 12months at home, but shot/beat handicap all but once in 14 games at other courses..

    figure that out!!! haha

  16. Athony Says:

    Hey cameron can you add my e-mail to my comment, as i forgot to, or if you send me a copy of my comment i can redo it, i forgot to copy it like it says i would

  17. Anthony Says:

    Sorry guys, My commitment is to play more consistant golf, more often.
    To work on my short game more often, one to two times a week
    To play 18 monthly, 9 holes fortnightly, this can only help.
    Make my game automatic like I know i can-I’ve seen it out there, somewhere. I just keep leaving it at home, i think.

    My new year resolution is to break 100 consistantly-even 90 eventually, before this year is finished.

  18. Peter Frost Says:

    My commitment for the next 30 days is to relax and enjoy my golf. Not to hit the cover off the ball and swing freely. Need to ensure I exercise each day to free my hips and arms up. I will have at least one practice session / week and play each Saturday. I will practice my chipping in the garage for 10 minutes / day.

    I look forward to a new year of golfing rewards. Good Luck to all and may your commitments be rewarded.

  19. Gregory Patmore Says:

    I am keen to join the tribe!!

    I commit to playing the jan/feb Tasmanian pro-ams on automatic regardless of weather, playing partners and score.

    I commit to daily 15min stretching

    I commit to chipping in the backyard everyday for 15 minutes

    and posting my progress

    Cheers
    Greg
    PGA Trainee

  20. Cameron Strachan Says:

    Hi Tribe,

    This is working well.

    Played my second game yesterday with good results. Definitely more free with the irons - found some extra distance which is not always good.

    Hopefully going to play again today. My motivation and enthusiasm for the game has been increased.

    Talk soon.

    Cameron

  21. Stan Evans Says:

    Due to time constraints I have just skimmed the comments you’ve made in your book. It oozes with common sense and golfing wisdom so will find time to absorb more of your indepth comments and hopefully, it will help me to put “my demons” to rest.
    Happy New Year,
    Stan

  22. Tony Lucas Says:

    Played yesterday (4th Jan.) but unfortunately had a pretty bad back and just could not force myself to hit through the shots.As luck would have it though my back started to free up about the twelth hole and I started playing better.I have not fully grasped the automatic side as yet but gee it is getting close. Had a practice round today and things are looking good.

  23. Steady Says:

    Played 12 holes of frozen golf today. Tried to go automatic but only limited success. Not really concentrating that hard as all shots pitched on frozen greens simply bounced through. Also struggled with counting technique. Found that did not bother or counting was overpowered by other swing thoughts. Counting did not seem to keep my concious mind fully engaged. Would be interested to hear other Tribe members’ thoughts.

    Cheers

    Steady

  24. Andrew Says:

    My commitment is to:
    improve the direction of hitting the ball off the tee. Played a round on 4 Jan and found I was hitting left.
    Improve my distance control for putting. Had 14 putts on the front nine which felt great but fell off slightly on the back nine with 16 putts.
    Plan to play 3 full rounds with 2 practice rounds with my kids.

    Cheers
    Andrew

  25. Steady Says:

    PLayed 2 games already this year. PLayed at my old course in Wentworth Falls, in the Blue Mountains. It was pristine. I tried to relax but fell into the habit of playing too many risky shots. Played on Sat had 35 points 3 wipes and 3 one pointers. Just let it flow. Dissappointing in one respect as i had a good score going but i did learn something. My club and shot selection let me down which in turn lead to ballon scores. The great Jack Nicklaus knew when to be aggressive and when to be conservitive. Thats what made him a champion.

  26. Steve Hansen Says:

    Hi all,

    My committments are as follows

    1) to automate golf game
    2) to not get upset if a shot goes wrong & try & to re-invent golf swing on the course if shot goes wrong
    3) enjoy the game more rather than get upset & frustrated when results do not go my way

    Regards

    Steve

  27. Steady Says:

    It appears we have two bloggers named Steady? Should one of us change our name? I am 05.01 at 7.01am Steady who was playing frozen golf and am from England. Is 05.01 at 3.07pm Steady from Australia?

  28. Cameron Strachan Says:

    Two Steady’s! What are the chances of that? Maybe you could add an initial or put Eng;and or Australia after your name.

    I’ve played 5 games since starting this Tribe. All games have been interesting with one glaring learning experience. Briefly;

    Do not confuse your system by doing too many things at once. I have been playing more aggresively with my irons. This is ok. I’ve been getting into trouble because I’ve been getting frustrated with some poor shots or when things haven’t worked out well.

    The solution? Have one goal - don’t try for two or more. Slow and steady is the way.

    Cheers,

    Cameron

  29. peter davies Says:

    camereon please put me on the bench for the time being. i am to have a heart procedure ,hopefully this month, if all goes well i will be swinging again soon.
    peter davies

  30. Paul Murphy Says:

    Hi

    I intend to take my practise game to the course on comp day, fully automatic in practise struggle on Saturday’s,I want to get back to 10 by end of January,
    PM

  31. Kevin Oliver Says:

    Have played a few games but living in a holiday area restricts how much i can play during the holidays but got 2 games in and although nothing earth shattering my drives are getting a bit straighter and playing off the fairway makes a big difference.
    Kevin Oliver

  32. trevor turner Says:

    played this week on a new course . got to change my game as my old course was sand greens. working on putting and bunker shots. not getting frustrated only look at the next shot dont think about last shot.

    trevor

  33. declan toal Says:

    I am going to practice less and play more holes also i will practice chipping and putting every 2nd day . i will try to play golf fear free.cant wait.

  34. Tim Richards Says:

    Hi Guys,

    My commitment is to hit more fairways by not trying to hit the ball too far and not to let those sneaky swing thoughts get into my mind even when I’m not playing well.

    Cheers
    Tim

  35. Philip Walker Says:

    Hi
    I am committed to getting my handicap down this year.I have joined a new club and have played quite a few games.I have improved 10 shots since.Iam hitting the ball better off the tee and my overall game has improved.The putting is much better when I relax stand up to the ball and hit.As you have said just let your instincts take over,It works.
    Cheers
    Phil

  36. Greg Seymon Says:

    Gidday all,

    Now that I have progressively cemented Cameron’s basic fundamentals for the swing from BioSwing over the last 6 months, I know I can rely on my swing and trust the method, but I need to do it for longer periods of my round.

    In the next 30 days, I intend to not worry about my short game, and play pitch shots automatically. Once on the green, assess the line, address and pull the trigger without spending too long over the ball.

    I know this technique works, because looking back on my better rounds these two aspects have been the highlights.

    Good luck all,
    Greg.

  37. Ben Hunt Says:

    I am still playing with the swing thought of ’shorter and wider’ but with my putting i’ve been following cameron’s advice for sometime now and just step up and hit everything on the greens without a practice stroke etc. I was always a terrible putter but now consider it the best part of my game. Haven’t three putted my last three rounds. Got lucky afew days back and shot a couple over for ten holes at moore park ( ran out of light). Cameron’s putting theory works. Cheers, BEN

  38. Dave Hall Says:

    I have joined a club, my first game in the club Wed, I hope to play twice a week, I have not been given a hadicap as yet, and only play 9 holes, so am hoping to play 18 soon.

    cheers
    Dave

  39. Nathan Says:

    I have allready improved on my putting by using Camerons advice. My next goal is to improve everything else as much as my putting.

  40. Richard Soady Says:

    I intend to :- 1)Play competitions with a consistent routine for all shots. 2)Avoid technique analysis during play and enjoy every round regardless of weather and other things.
    This is a version of “automatic”.
    The end result I seek is more consistent scoring.

  41. Steve Hansen Says:

    Hi all,
    played first round since joining tribe, I worked hard on automating game & enjoying golf rather than being “score focused”, whilst I had a disapointing 22 points, quite surpisingly I actually really enjoyed game, automation for long game went well - short game was one of those days where nothing went right, lots of lip outs & annoying bounces when chipping up, so I had lots of “one pointers”. 36 putts & 24 chips says it all really - a big ouch !!!

    I am now off to practise green to work on automation more for short game.

    Regards

    Steve

  42. Tim Richards Says:

    Went out tonight with a friend who was just learning and also decided to go with no swing thoughts and hitting it easy. I Shot 73 (playing off 8) which is equal to my best. Still missing fairway a bit but putting was awesome. Hopefully this can continue. Maybe the fact that I was thinking about my friends game between shots and not mine meant I also didn’t overthink things.
    \
    Cheers
    Tim

  43. Stephen P Ellis Says:

    Hi everybody
    I am committed to playing at least six different courses in January.
    Quite simply my goal is to golf my ball and let it go where I want it to go.
    To assist this I will be taking dead aim.

    Like Cameron I have stiffness in my right hip and have started to exercise
    to be able to squat and gain more flexability

  44. Phillip Says:

    I am committing to applying Cameron’s mental techniques to every shot of every game I play so that I can achieve similar results in my long game and chipping as I have had with my putting which has improved remarkably via application of these methods.

  45. Tony Rogers Says:

    I have to improve my putting game. My goal is to reduce the number of 3 puts per green to 0 over the next month and the number of puts per game to a maximum of 25 consistently.

  46. Bruce McIntyre Says:

    I’m going to play my rounds of golf with 7 clubs: Driver, 5Met/Wood, 7 & 9 irons, Pitching wedge, Sand wedge and Putter. I’m also committing to a regular exercise (for golfers) routine on days when I don’t play for 3 days a week.

    I’ll also forget about any bad shots and play on, enjoying my game.

  47. ESteady Says:

    New nickname ESteady for English Steady. No further golf since 04.01 but lots of golf website surfing.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  48. Tim Says:

    My aims for January:
    -is to improve my approach shots into greens in order to leave myself easier birdie putts
    -Continue playing automatic golf, focusing on playing rather than swing thoughts to achieve the following:
    -Reduce handicap to scratch
    -Finish in top 15 at my next 2 tournaments
    -Qualify for Vic Open

  49. BOB HOLMES Says:

    Hi cameron, will give it a go??, 68yro. so not a lot of time left,but have a very competative nature, also have had a total knee replacement 12 months ago, but i am fit & ready to go. handicap has varied between 12 & 15 the past 8 years, playing a vets comp. thursday 8th will trust my swing & irons & not tense up, will mix up the game for the balance of the month, cheers for now Bob Holmes.

  50. Tony Dunin Says:

    Hi Cam. You are certainly getting lots of interest in your ideas.I commit to using the auto routine this year and minimising trying to work on my swing mid round. I have playing 2 times at Lorne this week. I managed to use the auto swing most times. Some of the tees did not have enough space to line the shot up before walking up to the ball.
    Regards
    Tony

  51. paul Says:

    hi cameron. thanks to you at 67yrs and following your automatic play
    what more could i ask for than going from 21 to 12 in the last year. I think
    my biggest commitment will be to stay healthey-play more golf-improve my short game and enjoy. One of the things that i have had to except - at this lovely age you have to get better to stay the same.

  52. BRENDAN OTTO Says:

    Hi Cameron,
    Since semi retiring 6 months ago, have put a really big effort into my golf, hoping to reduce my handicap. I practised everyday, played 3 to 4 times a week, read every book, visualized, dreamed & practised some more. I became obsessed about reducing my handicap. All I achieved was a sore body & much frustration.
    My aim for January is to achieve automation on 80% of my shots & to eliminate analysing my swing between shots. This is very difficult for me. The brain is a very powerful thing & even counting & singing can be overridden. My aim is to let go, be free, relax & que sera sera.
    Comment for ESteady. If you want to play more golf, move to sunny Australia, especially Queensland. Beautiful one day, perfect the next.
    Cheers
    Brendan

  53. Stephen P Ellis Says:

    Hi Guys
    Played today. Course Growling Frog in Victoria. Graham Marsh Public Pay as you play. In good condition for a course that connot water its first cut of rough…did not plan irrigation for this area…Played bunker to bunker golf. First 3 putt in 47 holes folowed by 4 one putts 2 lip outs and the final hole was shaved, how it didn’t go in I do not know.You all know the one in all the way then the last two inches goes south….all in all a good day considering I was not on the fairway too often. Downside got too preoccupied with the sand in the bunkers just far too much of it plugged and fairly ordinary lies could not control my ball….still made a few up and downs but not enough…felt myself get abit tight towards the final few holes and my swing became wooden more of a guide than a swing…..catch you all after the monthly medal on Saturday.

  54. Cameron Says:

    This is going really well. The Golfing Tribe is starting to take shape.

    I was hoping to play after work tonight but couldn’t manage it. After reading all the comments in the last few days I’m more inspired than ever.

    I’m working on the next installment. It should only take a few days.

    I’ll talk to you soon and as always good golfing,

    Cameron

  55. ESteady Says:

    Comment for Brendan. Worked in Australia in 86/87. Unfortunately, only course played was desert style in Alice. Had to play before 9am as after that was too hot!!!!!! Unusual course with no rough but what the locals called ‘bull dust’ off the fairways. Very difficult to escape from in forward direction as rutted, with ruts not running in direction of hole. Why did’nt I play Royal Melbourne or Royal Adelaide? Not been back since and whilst I’m sure you would be excellant company England to Queensland is a long way for a game of golf.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  56. Steve Hansen Says:

    Hello again, snuck out last night for nine holes, I tried two things different, 1) I put the long irons in bag & only tee’d off with short irons, with aim of getting to hole in three shots ( handicap is 23)
    2) Focused really hard on automation of short game.

    Shot 44 with only 15 putts & 10 chips - last time I played this nine holes I shot 53 with 18 putts & 12 chips.

    No tee shot was longer than 150m but they were all straight. Much better than 220m drive into the woods

    Interesting results happen when the short game improves & you keep the ball on the damm fairway.

    Most pleasing of all was that it was the first time that I felt “self 2″ completly take charge of putting, with 4 lip outs from 10 feet+ & no 3 putts.

    I had a lesson with Cameron approx 1 month ago & I am now starting to see the benifits.

    PS I have also dropped 2 shots from handicap since the lesson.

    Happy golfing

    Steve

  57. Grov Says:

    I’m committing to achieving some consistency over Januaury (sick and tired, you been hanging on me. Pilot 1974 I think), and beyond. I have blown out from 8.7 to 12.4 during 2008 and need to apply the breaks. Began well last Sunday (2 under). A couple of 3 putts, but thankfully no shanks or other nausea inducing shots that had not been invented until last year. Automation is brilliant Cam, but the mind can be so strong. Three Sundays to go and looking forward to it. Cheers

  58. Rod.T Says:

    Cameron,
    I have always been a great believer in mind over matter but never thought about bringing it into my golf game.
    I have played four rounds this year and through reading your articles I am improving my golf game. I am now becoming more positive by improving my mindset (slowly eliminating outside interference and internal negative thoughts). Also in the past I would always use a putter just short of the green because I wasn’t confident enought to use a chipper. In the last four rounds I have now used the chipper (not always sucessfully) but now I am getting my mindset that I can now use this club. (even in this short period of time) I am now beginning to feel both positive and relaxed, enjoying my golf more (even in this short period of time) and am now looking forward to my next round. (tonight after work.)
    I am committing that by end of January that I am continuing to improve my mindset and therefore will be still enjoying my golf.

  59. Bill C Says:

    Hi Cameron
    Would love to join. My commintment is that I go back to enjoying golf again and play more for fun and less for result (This is going to be hard). I know that I will play at least 60 holes in the month.

  60. Tony Lucas Says:

    Played yesterday (10th) lost my focus on three holes but played the rest pretty good but as stated before still not quite there with the auto process. I am willing to say though that I feel it is starting to get very close.

  61. jim Says:

    As I have got older, my golf has become more careful.
    I intend to commit to completing my swing through the ball on each and every shot.

  62. Cameron Strachan Says:

    Hello Tribers,

    I’ve played both Sat and Sun this weekend. My game has become more free flowing than ever. Was potentially trying too hard last week and attempting to force the iron shots.

    By sticking to my routine and not getting caught up in score I’ve made some progress.

    More to come.

    Cameron

  63. ESteady Says:

    Played first frost/ice free round for some time today. 33 points in cold and windy conditions so quite pleased. Don’t honestly know what percentage of shots played were fully automatic. Sometimes it feels as if someone else is playing for me and if I can maintain this feeling it seems to go well. As soon as I get involved it seems to go wrong. Could this be Self 1 (Conscious) not letting Self 2 (Subconcious) do its job.

    Putting went quite well. Did not hole that many but really let go and the pace of my putts was very good. I am beginning to be less score focused and as a result am more relaxed during and less tired following my round. Really beginning to feel there might be something special about this mindset.

    Just allow your performance to emerge.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  64. My Golf Success » Play better golf Says:

    [...] reading the feedback on this page, observing other golfers and from my own experience, I offer the following advice for playing your [...]

  65. Mark Balla Says:

    I am going to stop trying to par every hole. As a 20 handicapper that is not going to happen. By the way, I had two lessons with Cameron late 07 and early 08. My handicap has come down 7 strokes since then. I’m also going to talk to Cameron about how to get the next 7 off.

  66. stephenpellis Says:

    Hi everybody
    Played in the medal on Saturday Henly course off the gold tee its soooooooooo long!!!
    520m par 5 into the wind was fun.25c fine gusty wind up to 25kph. The three marker in the group palayed well 79 the others blew out. Highlights
    chip in on the first then eleven putts for par.Putting was off for the whole field the pins were in some funky places even shortputts had break or were affected by the wind.71 won the day course rating 76.yeah tough!
    Sunday went back to redeem myself off the blue tee, pars and double bogie day putting off a reaction to previous day could not get the feel missed some short ones 33pts best in 37 yeah still a tough course off the blue but playable. The course Heritage Golf and Counrty Club Victoria
    check it out on the web

  67. Greg Patmore Says:

    Hi All,
    Have been preparing for Tasmanian Summer Pro-ams, by travelling to the different courses.
    The tee to green shots are straightforward enough and made a little easier by my “middle of the green approach” , getting the putts close with the variation of green speeds and not knowing how much movement has been a little tricky.
    I am convinced after 5-6 different courses in a fortnight that overreading and study is not the way to better scoring/putting.
    As some of these courses are 9 Holes with 18 Tees, I have putted on auto the front 9 and then spent longer trying to pick my line etc and pace on the back 9. No surprise here!! Less putts on the front every round but one.

    Approach the green with an open mind, let the information come in without any extra thoughts or opinions, pick the line and after a couple of swings for pace, Let it go.

    Auto is the way for me

    G.Patmore
    PGA Trainee

  68. david rath Says:

    I commit to making my shots more automated. concentrating on chipping,bunker play and putting and playing four rounds at least in the next 30days.

  69. Kevin Oliver Says:

    I play every Wednesday (9 holes Veterans) and my game has improved a touch but the best thing it is more consistent and i have just invested in a new set of irons which are giving me a better feel of the ball and my strike so maybe i will improve more (hope so )
    Kevin

  70. Paul Lane Says:

    Hi Everyone. My course is underwater at present so I’m not sure when I’ll play again. My goals are to ‘let things happen’, sing songs in my head while playing and focus on what my body feels like when I swing. I’m going to try and forget about mechanics and swing positions! Hopefully the sun will come back soon…

  71. Steve Hansen Says:

    Hello again,

    I have played twice + two practise sessions.

    Scored 101 (net 78)in monthly medal, whilst score not the best, short game was not up to sctrach - left myself alot of long putts from poor wedges ( need to keep working on hitting the chalk line in practise), I was happy with automation, interestingly when I was interputed during counting routine a few times, when I got lazy & did not re-started rountine I felt most uncomfortable in hitting shots. So a vauluable lesson was re-enforced.

    Next round’s aim will be to only keep score of shots played in automation mode & not shots taken.

    Regards

    Steve Hansen

  72. Cameron Says:

    Peter Davies: Good luck with the op. We’re all waiting for you when you’re ready.

    Tony Dunin: Good effort. You need to play off the front tees to give yourself more room!

    Brendan: I agree about the comment for ESteady :)

    Hang in there. This is not a quick fix approach. Automation can be scary and the temptation is to revert back to what feels normal.

    Jim: Careful and safe are not words you should associate with playing golf. Relax, let go and play how you would really like to.

    ESteady: We’re all glad that the frost has lifted. It’s been pushing 40 degrees in Southern Australia!

    Mark: Good to have you here Mark. Look forward to helping you reach your next goal.

    Greg: Great insight. Trying hard sometimes fails. Auto is the way forward for sure!

    Steve H: Forgetting about your score is a good mindset. Hard to do but well worth the effort.

  73. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi all,
    played yesterday and looked at my course mangement before i played. I had 32 points with 2 wipes and 2 one pointers. I learnt that even though you can hit excellent shots it doesn’t equate to birdie or par. Case in point, on the par 4 8th at THurgoona (index is 2 2nd hardest hole) Hit a ripper drive, my approach shot drew right in on the pin, hit a slope and bounced off the green. I had a decision to make, bitch about my result or get on with the process of going automatic. You see what I’ve found is that you can hit pure shots with a crappy result, I’m sure all of us have done it. However your reaction is the key to what happens next. Sure I could have moaned about it but i didn’t. I stuck to the task of going automatic using Camerons process, made a great chip and sunk a 1 foot put for par. The moral of the story. The process is what leads to good scores, not good scores then the process. Don’t get confused or upset over a missed put or a diffed chip.As hard as it may be. Always rely on the process and your tue potention WILL come through. One more thing , If you do have a good round or a bad round always always stick to the process, the more you do it the easier the game becomes. I’m out to 7 handicap yet am close to playing a lot better than what my handicap suggests.Keep the faith.
    Steady from Oz.

  74. Tony Lucas Says:

    Having withdrawal symptons as I have been unable to get out and have a hit this week but I have at least been able to have a hit in a little practice net set up underneath the unit and the auto process is working fine.
    Lukey

  75. Helen Pengilly Says:

    Only been playing 2 1/2 yrs since I retired. My aim is to play to my handicap (23) have a chip/approach shot closer to pin, Use more iron and less swing. I play twice a week. Where are the ladies??

  76. Tony Lucas Says:

    HI Cameron
    Played yesterday (17th) nad struggled somewhat for the first eight holes but come the ninth hit the green and sunk the birdie putt.The back nine then became very enjoyable and the auto process started to take effect and I ended up having one of my best rounds for some time 77g/62nett. Had a practice round today and hit irons only and performed very well.I would say now I have got the auto process working at about 85%.Hello to Helen and I hope more ladies join the tribe also.
    Lukey

  77. nemy Says:

    Hi cameron!

    Thank you for encouraging me to join the tribe. My goal is to improve the result of my competition games. At present my practice games & social games are better than my competition games. I hope to improve this by playing automatic and not to be concerned about the scores whenever I play in the competition. I also intend to use more of my sand wedge near the green which give me good result in my practice games. will update you on my next game result.

  78. ESteady Says:

    First round at my new club today. Member of previous club for about 30 years. Moved address 10/07 and just too far to travel to old club, approx 45 mins each way. New club 5 minutes away. Quite a wrench though and will have to build new golfing friendships. 7 degrees today, mainly sunny but 25/30mph (3/4 club) wind gusting to 50mph. Pleased with gross 84, net 72 but could have been so much better. Dropped 4 shots in last two holes. I know I should not be so score orientated but I just can’t help it. I enjoy challenge of trying to shoot a score. Drove ball really well (9/14 fairways) and hit 8 greens in reg. Short game and putting really let me down today. Up and downs 1 from 10 attempts and 36 putts with 2 three putts and only 2 one putts.

    Putting not too bad normally and hopefully today was blip. Short game is real problem. Find it much easier to go automatic and trust swing with the longer shots but closer I get to green the less I am able to let go. Anyone got any ideas/suggestions.

    You spoilt Aussies will be glad to here that due to the temperature here I played in a T-Shirt, Polo Neck Jumper, Fleece and Wet Suit. With that lot on my backswing gets just above waist height!!!!! Roll on spring!!!

    Cheers

    ESteady

  79. noel jacobs Says:

    Hi Guys. Had my first game for the year. i left my golf brain in the car and didn’t try to think about my game. Had one of my best games (35 stableford points). I found my drives wandering a bit left and right but putting improved greatly. I actually enjoyed my golf and can’t wait to get out there again. Thanks and Happy Gilmoreing people

  80. Cameron Strachan Says:

    Hi Tribers (Happy Giloreing People),

    Played more golf in January than I’ve played in a long time. This is a good thing. I must say that with some practise (which I hardly do) my expectations have increased.

    This has caused me to get more frustrated and a little grumpy when things haven’t gone my way.

    Main point: One still needs to put things into perspective and play their own game. Never easy but something that is important.

    My goal for the next 10 days: Be more accepting of poor shots or when things don’t go my way. Put the club back in the bag and move on.

    Another point: Improving your golf throws different challenges at you. Unless you’re aware of them and know how to deal with them constant improvement is difficult.

  81. Staedy(oz) Says:

    Hi all,
    played in our usual wednesday stableford yesterday. Had 32 points with 8 one pointers. Club selection, shot choice and not following the process gave me the 8 one pointers. Lesson learned don’t be slow to make decisions but make decisions where by the odds are in your favour, select the right club not what your ego wants and let go. You gain control by giving it up.The only dissappointment was not going automatic when i should have.
    Happy golfing.
    Steady(oz)

  82. Rod Says:

    Just found page and can relate to the over analysis, am continually analysing everything.
    My committment (I had one in my head) was to rebuild swing after injury worked on Gary Edwin model. local pro lesson, play and practice 4-5 times a week, play resort courses in hunter valley.
    With new automatic I just want keep club on plane and continue to play and practice.

  83. Michael Jones Says:

    we dont start golf until April (sand greens) will practice chipping more this season and endeavor to follow the automatic principals

  84. rod Says:

    Played Thursday hit a 46 (par 33) automatic worked on drives, fairway woods long irons and especially short game, longa irons a travesty.
    Played Fri again long irons as joke short game great.
    Sat driving range uhhhh ugly, worked out that in my attempt to be on plane that I had become so far inside that it had become a hockey swing with more slices than a pizza shop.
    Will play comp tomorrow and try not to analyse too much might even smell the roses.

  85. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Played today and unfortunately everything went haywire and I lost all confidence so with that too I forgot the auto process.Finding it really hard sometimes when things start going bad to keep to the process.I would like to know if any other tribe members are striking the same thing?

  86. Joye B Says:

    Have been on Holidays all of January and with Christmas rush haven’t played any golf. My challenge this year is to return to single figure golf and accept the changes at my course. Definitely want to go into auto mode as I do when I have played best golf

  87. ESteady Says:

    Played 23.01. Similar conditions to 18.01 with slightly less breeze but much wetter underfoot following heavy overnight rain. Puddles everywhere but not every drop taken for casual water advantageous. Gross 80 / Net 68 / 39 Points. My first sub handicap round since trying Cameron’s tactics. Started with blob (wipe?) for an 8 on Par 5 first hole but kept the faith and paled rest of round in 6 over gross. Have been reading Michael Hebron recently and he advocates similar natural learning / relaxed mindset to Cameron. Did not use counting technique this week but instead tried to think in pictures and feelings rather than in words. No mechanics, just target and feel. Main difference from last round was making 3 from 8 up and downs (not good I know but better than woeful performance last round) and 4 one putts. I know I have a long way to go yet but I am really enjoying the journey. To think that only a few months ago I pretty much thought of nothing else on the course other than score. Quite a transformation!

    Cameron. I was trawling through the archives on your blog site and came across your favourite article by Gerry Hogan. I really liked what this guy was saying and was wondering if you knew how I could get hold of his book, Hogan Manual of Human Performance - Golf.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  88. rod Says:

    I played and as with Lukey it all went pear shaped at various times. Im trying to change a few things due to an injury. problem seems to be that when going autimatic I go to old way that injury doesn’t allow that starts me thinking “how does the right way feel” then I’m thiking too much and having too many cues to think about as I’m standing over the ball.
    Automatic is working well on short game however, with a choose shot and playing without thinking what can go wrong.

  89. nemy Says:

    played in the competition of Capital Eagle social club. My first tee shot was not even 100 meters in distance. My reaction at first was to feel embarrassed. But then I remembered, its only a game and told myself not to worry about the error and keep on going with the automated shots. My second shot was a good recovery but then I didn’t have enough shots left to get a point on that hole. Inspite of the wiped out hole, I kept on hitting the ball without much concern of the score. Just look at my target, address the ball and hit. But before I hit the ball I whisper to myself “super fluid” which is my image for “power and smooth” delivery. It might be crazy to some people but this strategy helps me in enjoying my game. Anyway, my handicap is currently 26 and I scored 31 points today coming 6th place out of 28 players. I do not consider this a good result for myself but considering that almost everyone had difficulty in the game, I am satisfied, the chipping were okay and putting, only a couple went over 2 putts. Still I need more distance to complement my short game.

  90. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Played yesterday (31st) and once again played quite well 77/62 and whilst I made a couple of silly errors the auto process in the main was working well.I felt at times I over concentrated on some putts and need to realise that the auto process is applicable here as well

  91. Carl Says:

    Greetings all,

    Been a little slow on the uptake, but haven’t had much opportunity to play golf in the last 30 days. But it’s a new month, so there’s no time like the present!

    Goals for next 30 days:
    1) Relax, not be too serious, and play golf rather than get annoyed with it
    2) Automate my swing with all clubs and see consistenycey with my short irons
    3) Relax on the first tee shot
    4) To see everything come together and break 100
    5) Stop listening to every piece of advice on the course and play my swing. I’ve seen it - it’s great!! Internal noise must be silenced!!

    I’ll be playing my first round in a couple of days. See you soon.

  92. ESteady Says:

    3 degrees today. Add in wind chill factor and the playing temperature was minus 4 degrees. Completely lost the plot today. Scored 23 points. Did not keep stats and not all putts holed. Don’t really know what caused poor performance. Quess it was just one of those days. Couldn’t get into automated game at all. Cold weather no excuse as used to playing in these conditions. Will just put this one down to experience and re-commit to automated game next time round. To be honest, at times today I flat gave up. Unlike me but hey we all have a bad one now and again.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  93. Bill C Says:

    Hi Guys
    Didnt get to play as much golf as I would have liked. But did manage to enjoy it more but the result was bad. When I managed to let it swing played some great shots but the bad shots were really bad. The one thing that has improved is my putting have reduced 3 putts to a couple per round.
    Thanks for showing me the way.

  94. Profitable Golf Tournaments » Blog Archive » I’m a player Says:

    [...] This is what my Golf Tribe is all about. For the full story head over here. [...]

  95. Steve Hansen Says:

    Hi all,

    silly me strained my back so under doctor’s order (& great sufferance at first) I have not been able to make full swing for 3 weeks.

    break however has enabled me for focus on short game which has been blessing in disguse, I have been focusing on routine before each chip / pitch shot & putt. Practise has been great with results from 40 yards in greatly improving & now getting up & down on 1/3 of the time rather than once in a blue moon.

    looking forward to resuming full round in 2 weeks time.

    Happy golfing

    Steve

  96. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Played today but encountered a problem.Struggled a little on the front nine but managed to stay with the auto process most of the time.Started the back nine with a par but then the rain hit and that combined with humidity and the fact I wear glasses proved to be a real problem (rain on glasses and fogging up).I really was then put in a position of not knowing what to do and played accordingly.Any thoughts fellow tribers or Cameron

  97. nemy Says:

    Played on Wednesday at our competition. At first I was leading on div 2 with 39 points. In the end two other players submitted a score of 40 points. So I ended up getting a prize in the ball competition. Had a good drive and satisfied with my putting. I got a 4 point on a par 4 where I had two shots and 3 points on two par 3s. One of my golf mates noticed that I had longer and straighter tee shots than the last time he played with me. I think the reason behind is maybe more automated shots were made. Hope to improve my distance on my drives next time.

  98. Philmadgolfer Says:

    Hi Cameron,
    I just want to enjoy my golf instead of hating it. Had a couple of operations on my hand last year, and between the tweo operations played some of my best golf ever. Why? Because I was just so pleased to be back out on the course enjoying playing again. Nice & relaxed. Not thinking about anything. Just enjoying the moment. Don’t know what’s happened since.

  99. Anthony Says:

    Hi Cameron,
    I played 9 at my local and managed 49 on slow greens, but it helped put some of my thoughts in perspective.
    I need to commit to gettibg the long puts as close to the hole and not worry about putting it past, especially as I can usually get the 1-2m puts in the hole.
    Also I need to use my longer irons on shots to the green(7-9 irons) instead of p-sw as i would like to be on the green in 2-3 shots more often.
    Next time i play 9 I will be aiming for a 45.

  100. Steady Says:

    Hi Cam,
    shot 75 off the stick. It is a completely diffrent game when playing on automatic. You are able to read greens a lot better and the quility of your ball striking is great. Played in a 4 bball. My patrener was on the card once. He only got on because he beat me in for a 3/3 on the 16th.
    Cheers Steady (OZ)

  101. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Played on a different course yesterday and initially for the first seven holes everything was quite solid without actually scoring all that well but then I hit a tee shot on eight that went close to out of bounds and the seed was planted and hit next tee shot out tried to stay auto and hit next shot fairly well but when I reached the ball it was out of bounds so I disq.. I continued playing but unfortunately I was unable to keep the auto process going though I did play reasonable. Had a practice round today (13) and things did pick up plus the chipping improved with a little help from my mate. I will continue with the auto process and I will get it because I know it works.

  102. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Hi Cam
    Played again today and played to my handicap 79/64 but felt due to a stressful week at work this crept into my game. I would be interested to see if you felt this possible and how would you deal with it. I am still perservering with the auto process but struggling a bit. Trying to stay positive though but need to relax a little more. How are you other tribers going??

  103. Steve Hansen Says:

    Hi,

    Shot 93 off stick today (h’cp 24), played well in automatic mode for majority of round, negative thoughts however on holes where there is OOB on RHS ( and where I have landed in past) crept in and counting did not help… overall good day’s golfing but still need to work harder on automation

    Regards

    Steve

  104. Cameron Strachan Says:

    Steady: great round mate. Well done!

    Tony: Automatic golf should help you separate yourself from other distractions. It can be hard to do but it’s well worth the effort.

    Steve: Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and pull the trigger - even on those holes where you’ve had some bad history. It gets easier over time. Part of the process is sticking to your guns - results happen not from one or two good shots - but by persevering with the system for the duration.

    Tribers: I’ll be giving you more info in the coming weeks on how to really nail automatic golf.

  105. ESteady Says:

    Played first round for while due to bad weather. Also first competition at my new club. Result pretty good for first outing. Shot 37 points. Problem was totally reverted to grinder mode. Couldn’t play automatically. Need help. Anyone got any suggestions. Disappointed that reverted to type when under pressure!

    Cheers

    ESteady

  106. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Hi Cam
    Have not seen many answers re question time and am eager to hear your thoughts.Any time soon do you think.

  107. ESteady Says:

    Played again 25.02.09. Exactly same score, 37 points. Again could not play automatically. Swing thoughts entered head despite whistling, counting, humming, singing. What do you suggest Cameron? How do I distract my concious mind and allow my subconcious to play the shots?

    Cheers

    ESteady

  108. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi Steady(E)
    Carey mumford calls this leaking. At any time you become distracted by a swing thought try not to block it out. Stop ( as in picture a stop sign in front of you) and start from pulling your the club you want to hit/swing. There is a thinking line and a playing line.
    Behind the line that is where you do all your thinking, once you cross that line that is when you play. Count or sing etc but you must focus on that and then you start playing automatic. Some days this can be difficult. All fear and worry happen in the thinking line the play line is for playing ( on automatic). You are much like me in the sense that you become focused on results, score or a shitty bounce which has led you to your position that you are in. Be patient focus on how many times you go automatic. Slowly but surely results will happen. Remember golf is a numbers game( no pun intended ie counting)distances, clubs holes etc. Focus on the automatic shots you played ie out of 78 shots how many where automatic. THat is your true test. Hope this helps.
    Steady OZ aka John Stead

  109. ESteady Says:

    Hello Steady Oz aka John Stead

    Thanks for your reply. Will give your suggestions a try. Are you the John Stead who has appeared on Jack Kuykendall’s website. I also see you are aware of Carey Mumford’s work. I have thought about obtaining his Double Connexion book but if it is as ‘weirdly’ written as his website then I don’t think I’ll bother. Cameron! Is it you that Carey Mumford claims has plagerised his work? This is more like it. I was beginning to think this forum was going to die a death but things appear to be getting more interesting. Come on the rest of you Tribers. Let’s hear what you have to say.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  110. Alan Townson Says:

    Hi Cam,
    My commitment is to:
    Plan each shot;
    Work on relaxation and excluding anticipatory thoughts during swing;
    More chipping practice;
    Practice muscle relaxation during practice;
    Practice like I play; and
    Stop belting balls on the range without a plan.

    Cheers

  111. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Really well done Steady E & oz I feel this is what Cam was on about and that is to trade ideas on how we each cope with the auto process.It is as Cam says not easy but if we commit to the auto process we will achieve.I look forward to letting you all know how I go tommorrow when I play in the comp and see on how many occasions I stay auto.Great stuff.

  112. Cameron Strachan Says:

    Hi Guys,

    Yes, good work Steady OZ - great advice. I think I’ve met the Stead that’s on JK’s website. Not a bad golfer from memory.

    Hopefully all you keen beans can join in and start making posts of your own - including adding video of yourself and your own thoughts.

    Post your own content

  113. Cameron Strachan Says:

    SteadyE: Carey Mumford has some great stuff. He has misunderstood my intentions and hopefully he has moved on from his earlier beliefs. I don’t wish to say much further on the subject - it’s not my style :)

    Keep up the good work.

  114. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Played again today but unfortunately not a good result.I felt like I maintained a good focus on the auto process but at the same time I seemed to revert back to heaps of my old bad habits which in turn led to absolute frustration.Any thoughts any one?Having said that though I intend to stick to the auto process but I probably just need a little guideance.Once again I would appreciate anyone’s help.

  115. John Stead Says:

    Hi TRibers,
    had 73 net yesterday with a birdie,birdie par finish. If only. Today stared with double bogey, bogey then triple. Steady ( e) talk about leaking. Had 43 on the front 38 on the back. After 3 holes all of my 7 handicap had been used up. Toughed it out and had 76 net. I had 5 birdie putts didn’t drop one, however finished with par and didn’t walk of with the irits. Stupid mental errors cost me dearley today. what i did learn today was to play at my pace and style. This is to me playing on automatic with no leaking or distractions.
    Cheers Steady (oz)
    PS having a month off due to kids and the upcoming club champs.

  116. ESteady Says:

    Hi Lukey

    What do you mean by old bad habits?

    Cheers ESteady

    PS. Have not played this weekend due to family commitments. Hope to be back next weekend but bad weather forecast, so keeping my fingers crossed!!!

  117. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Hi ESteady
    Basically what was happening was I was hitting a lot of pull hooks and the occasional weak cut that on my course given conditions means trouble.Thankfully though Cam suggested counting backwards may help and I have tried it with some pretty good results at this stage.Thanks for the enquiry Steady and I hope you get to have a hit this weekend.
    Lukey

  118. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Hi Cam
    Played today and used counting backwards as my tool to try and play more automatic and I must admit I probably had a 50/50 ratio at the end of the day.The most pleasing aspect though was the 50% that was not so flash was not a total disaster with only about 5 being worse than bogey.The other pleasing aspect to come from today was over the last half a dozen holes my swing had really freed up big time.I also managed to play without thinking about a score and whilst a score of 81/66 is not that brilliant I can see light at the end of the tunnel.Now that’s me what about the rest of you tribers how are things going
    Lukey

  119. Cameron Says:

    Hi Tribers,

    Haven’t left an update for a while but I’m glad there are a few that have.

    I also played today and realised that there is a fine line between good and bad golf. After starting well I must admit I lacked conviction during the middle of the round. One poor decision and a very bad club choice cost me severely.

    I went for a miracle shot on 7 and paid the penalty. The right shot was a lay up and I went for the green - after an easy double bogey my good start was undone.

    I also played with a young gun - he made the same mistake too - only more often. He would go for shots that Tiger probably wouldn’t dream of.

    If there is something that we should all do it would be choose a club or strategy that we KNOW we can execute. Trying for the unbelievable is fun when it comes off - but most of the time it fails and we regret the decision.

    My round today was OK - I give it an 8 out of 10 - but a few poor decisions let me down. I suppose it is another learning experience.

    Can’t wait for tomorrow.

    Cameron

  120. ESteady Says:

    Played my last round at my old club this afternoon. Just a friendly with a few long time pals. Didn’t keep score as just a knock around. Played really poorly. Typical of me when there is nothing on the game.

    Once again had problems going automatic and managed no more than 10 - 12 automatic shots and even these were not that good. However, one of my pals noticed that I was standing very open and the moment I squared up my body I started striking the ball better. Competition next Saturday so hopefully I’ll be in better form.

    Any tips Cam?

    Where are the other Tribers? This seems to be the Cam, Lukey and ESteady show!!! Steady Oz is forgiven as he has family commitments. What’s happened to the rest of you? Come on you slackers! It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to leave a comment!!!!!!!

    Cheers

    ESteady

  121. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Well done Esteady we do need more of a committment from the other tribers because you never know what you may learn.Just a thought steady why you don’t you try counting backwards it may help,I have tried it and it seems to be working ok at this stage.You must be totally committed to counting only and let the swing take care of itself.Cheers and I hope you might find it helpful.
    Lukey

  122. Steady(OZ) Says:

    ESteady,
    Cameron has always told me that I have to automate my game. We are very similar in the sense that you and I put an emotional attachment to every shot.I know it’s hard not to sometimes especially under pressure. I don’t know you personally only from what you have put on the blogs. I have played guys in matchplay who swear, throw clubs and piss/moan about their games/shots. Unless i’m throwing a pity party myself I’ve always beaten them. Why cause I realise it is a game and I realy enjoy playing automatic. The key is as Cameron says is Swing first and worry later. You have to automate evrything. Set up, alignment, grip, swing and follow through. Remember you have the think area and play area. It has taken me on and off 2 years to automate my game. As the saying goes OLd habits die hard. Fear causes tension the opposite of relaxation. You need to be relaxed but not slack. Ultimately enjoy the whole process. Like me the score counts. But in order to have a good/great score you must go through the automatic process in order to get there. My milestone came in Feb 2007. I shot 74 off the stick (2 over ) and did it easy. That shows my potential. What my mistake was then having intermitant crappy rounds not realising it was the automatic process that got me there in the first place. Hang in and trust the process. One day you will be surprised at what you really can shoot. Don’t go back to being brainwashed thinking that you need the latest swing tip or whatever BS the golf industry pumps out to make merchandise of you. Hang in there .Good luck and good golfing. BTW don’t think I was saying that you were a club thrower.

  123. ESteady Says:

    Steady(Oz)

    Thanks for your tips Steady. Interesting that it took as long as two years for you to go automatic.

    You are right that I am not a club chucker. I am the exact opposite on the course. I am respectful of other golfers and very good at keeping myself under control. In fact, I think my personality / attitude is probably the strongest part of my game. I am relaxed, quite chatty, never get uptight about poor shots and am on the whole a pretty good playing partner.

    My biggest problem, I believe, is that I am too score orientated. I let go of my bad shots and the past easily but am continually thinking about what I need to do in the future, and therefore putting uneccessary pressure on myself to shoot a good score. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy playing and am certainly not a ‘whinger’. My theory is that as I can only play 3/4 times per month, I try too hard to score when I do play. This is not me making excuses or feeling sorry for myself because on the whole I play pretty consistently considering the amount I play and the fact that I never have any time to practice. (I run my own small business and my partner and I have three young boys.) However, I feel I could maybe become less fixated with scoring if I could play a little more often, maybe twice a week with a couple of 30 minute practice sessions. I just feel that there is a really good golfer in there somewhere if I could just let him out!!!!!

    Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Thanks again for your tips. I’ll try them when I get a chance.

    Hope the family are well! Good Luck in your club champs!

    Cheers

    ESteady

  124. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi Steady
    I’m the same way. ie being score orientated.
    2 weeks ago I staring down the barrel of 87 off the stick( i play off 7 at the moment). What I did was not think score but PROCESS. The last 3 holes at my home course as Cameron can well attest too are hard holes.
    I finished birdie birdie par for a 72 net. Now I know in the past that if i had of focused on what I need to break even I would have come in with 78 net. However I stuck to my process of going automatic and TRUSTED my swing to do the job. Hope this helps.
    Ta Steady(oz)

  125. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Steady oz and Steady e
    Great to see the interaction between yourselves and I also found it helpful which is what I stated the other day,you can actually pick up tips that are helpful.In order to help with the auto process Cam suggested counting backwards and I have found that very helpful.Now if I remain process oriented and let the score take care of itself I should start to improve.
    Cheers
    Lukey

  126. Steadyoz Says:

    Hi Tony,
    nice to hear from you. Like me what Cameron offers is the best way to play golf. As he says there are no short cuts or tips. However it is all about the process. I count or sing a simple hymn/saying. Trust me when you play a full 18 holes on auto pilot it can be very addictive. In saying that you have to be patient and try not try if you know what I mean. Just to let know, when I first met Cameron I played off 14. After 2 years I was down to 5. Now I’m back out to 7 because I haven’t been trusting what I had been doing to get down to 5. Or simply not doing it.
    Hope your Golf game is improving. Stick with it.
    Cheers Steadyoz

  127. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Steady oz
    Thank you very much for your assurance and I am going to continue because like yourself I’m a firm believer in what Cam says.Letting go of the old is hard but I’m getting there and look forward to the day I report that something amazing happened.Thanks once again steady and I look forward to hearing you have got back to five.
    Cheers
    Lukey

  128. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Hi everybody
    Tried really hard today to be auto but for some unknown reason something went astray and the first nine was really bad but I stuck to my guns and kept going with the auto process and wow things started to turn around and I actually played a lot better the back nine.Should I give up on the auto process hell no it will work I just need to be patient.There is a certain amount of ego though because I admit I just can’t wait for things to actually click.Now come on the rest of you tribers lay your heart on the line and submit like I have.
    Cheers everyone
    Lukey

  129. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi Tony,
    read the post I put on the last of camerons audio lesson. Yesterday i went out with my 2 sons. Shot 2 over for 9 holes. I had plenty of distractions occuring having to keep an eye on them as they are 6 and 3 yrs of age. I asked cameron a long time ago, I said “How long will it take? He said as long as it takes. I felt a little dejected because I thought I will be able to nail this down easy. However you have to be PATIENT and DISCIPLINED. Don’t deviate from your process. This process of automatic is your rod and staff that allows you to play unbelievable golf. I can attest to that. You don’t go from being a 14 handicapper to 5 overnight. One more thing, when you do get a great round going don’t let any negative self talk occur. eg like I shouldn’t be playing this well or if I shoot par par par I will break my handicap by so much. If you do you could be looking at a major train wreck. Stick to your routine and play.
    Cheers Steady(oz)

  130. ESteady Says:

    Hi Guys!

    Sorry not posted for a while but had computer hard drive problems. Worms, viruses, Trojan Horses and all that stuff. Nightmare!!!

    Played another comp last Saturday (14.03) and guess what? As per usual, reverted to type and got all score orientated and, can you believe it, again shot 37 points!!!!!!!! Seems have a comfort zone beyond which struggle to make progress.

    Am I expecting too much of myself? I am 50, have bad back, never practice and invariably knackered from running business and looking after my 3 kids. Maybe should be happy consistently shooting around handicap? Maybe this is my level? No! It can’t be. Know there is a better golfer in there somewhere.

    Medal comp Saturday. Will again try to go auto and just see what happens.

    See Lukey and Steady Oz are still only true Tribers. Well done guys.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  131. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    ESteady
    I would be happy with shooting my handicap and a little better so keep persevering with the auto process because like me once we finally get it away we will go.
    Cheers Lukey

  132. Steady(oz) Says:

    Steady(E)
    Next round, as hard as it is going to be, I want you to become obsessed with your routine not your score. Your score for that day is not what you shot over or under your handicap but how many times did you play on auto pilot. On average I hit between 36 to 44 full shots per round. Of all those shots how many times do you think that I go automatic on those shots. The last 6 months I’ve gone about 60%. Why because like you I become score orientated. Remeber Steady that you gain control by giving up control. Always put your focus on the routine. BTW you aren’t playing bad if youre hitting 37 points. Forget about the scoring barrier and concentrate on your routine.
    Cheers Steady(oz)

  133. ESteady Says:

    Thanks Guys

    Speak to you soon.

    ESteady

  134. Tony Lucas (Lukey) Says:

    Hi Cam and fellow tribers
    Played today but unfortunately lost a ball on the first and dq’d.I then decided I was going to really go auto big time and next hole had a par but then I fell into an old trap of trying something and played bloody ordinary for the next couple of holes.It was then I thought get this back on track and do what I had been doing and had a birdie and par but then fell into the trap next hole of old self and lost another ball (both brand new) but then clawed my way back and finished off the rest of the round very well.Now if I can get that going for a full round I can look forward to playing some pretty good golf
    Cheers Lukey

  135. ESteady Says:

    Hi Tribers

    What can I say! No real improvement. Played medal today. Started with triple bogey 8 and dropped further 3 shots in next 3 holes (6 over after 4). Managed to pull things together though to finish 85 - 12 = 73 nett.

    Tried to go auto but botched the start of the round because rather than actually going auto I just could not stop myself ‘thinking about going auto’. This clearly defeats the object of the exercise and seemed even more disruptive than my normal mindset. Never mind. Another ‘Steady’ performance.

    Unlikely to play for next week or two but will talk to you later.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  136. Steady(OZ) Says:

    Esteady,
    Patience. As i said it took me 2 years to get this down. it’s like the old saying “Give me patience now!”.
    Don’t buckle under pressure and resort back to your old ways. Man you must have had a rollar coaster ride.
    The good thing was that you had 6 over for 14 holes.
    If you don’t mind I let you in on my routine. Carey Mumford calls it pre-setting. All i’m doing is if you want to call it is dialing in my shot. I take a couple of small practice swings while over the ball, all the while repeating a song or counting whatever. Then I simply get set and swing. I had 1 over on Sunday (i only played 9 holes) yet I was more upset in not sticking to my routine than producing a bad shot. BTW i hit about 3 crappy shots.In the past, after having a bad shot, i would blame my routine/noise/other players etc. As I said it takes guts and determination to stick to your routine.
    Chin up. Relax and enjoy the challenges golf brings. My dad who played off between 5 and 7 always said that golf brings out your true character.
    Cheers Steady(oz)

  137. ESteady Says:

    Hi Steady(Oz)

    I’ve always been the same, even when I played off 6 in my younger days. For most of the round I am a pretty decent golfer but just the odd hole here and there really wrecks my otherwise very respectable score cards. What is even more frustrating is that there is no pattern to the bad holes. Sometimes, such as in the recent medal, I blow the first few holes but another day I will go to sleep in the middle of my round.

    If I could just get rid of the disaster holes I would easily be single figure handicap, which I could live with in my circumstances.

    Anyway, enough about me. Have you played your club championship yet? If so, how did you get on?

    Cheers

    ESteady

  138. Steady(OZ) Says:

    Hi Esteady,
    monthly medal on Saturday and club champs on in May. Haven’t played comp for 2 weeks. Looking fwd to getting out there, Will keep u posted.
    Steady(oz)

  139. Steady(oz) Says:

    Had 80 off the stick for 73 net. there were 3 shots were I leaked a bit in my routine and all up cost me 5 shots. Had 3 double bogeys in that round, a nearest the pin and had 28 putts. I’m still sticking with it because I know it works. BTW my home club is 6350m long when played of the back tees and pin placements weren’t nice. To all tribers stick with it.
    Steday(oz)

  140. ESteady Says:

    Hi Steady(Oz)

    Your round looks not dissimilar to my previous round. Had the doubles been just bogies you would no doubt have been reasonably pleased. 28 putts is also very respectable. I am not a poor putter but do not often break 30 putts.

    What do you mean exactly when you say you “leaked in your routine”. Do you mean that your mind interfered?

    I’m playing in a stableford competition on Sunday. Must say that I’ve been reading such a lot of this ‘golf psychobabble’ recently that my mind is swimming a bit. I have decided to try to empty my head of all thoughts and just hum my favourite tune around the course. Will let you know how it goes.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  141. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi Esteady,
    Yes, leaking is when my routine is distracted by a mechanical thought which try to tell the subconscious how to hit the ball.eg low and slow, us eyour shoulders, flick your wrists etc. Only hum your favourite song in your routine as you approach the ball and reelax.
    Cheers Steady(oz)

  142. ESteady Says:

    Hi Steady(Oz)

    80 - 12 = 68 net (39 points)

    Same problem as previously. Started badly (5 points through first 4 holes) due to problems thinking about going auto. My concious mind just seems to overpower the humming, whistling, counting.

    As soon as I reverted to my normal grinder mindset, played remaining 14 holes really well.

    Must admit that beginning to lose patience / interest with the auto approach. Have tried auto for good few months with very little, if any joy.

    Also, other than you and Lukey, no other Tribers to chat with. To be honest, Cameron doesn’t seem to have much input either. Am I missing something here? Or, is the old cynic in me returning?

    Cheers

    ESteady

  143. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi Steady e @ oz
    Unfortunately my computer went in for an upgrade and took forever to get right so I have not been able to relay how things have been going but as soon as I sort this computer out i will update you on how things are going
    Cheers Lukey

  144. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi Guys
    Well whilst the computer has been down I have had a couple of games of golf but unfortunately they have been abysmal to the point of absolute frustration and no enjoyment whatsoever.I felt like I was trying to hit the ball too hard and as soon as I hit one a bit astray then self doubt started toc creep in and then anxiety got me in a big way.Any thoughts steady oz or perhaps even Cam.
    Cheers Lukey

  145. ESteady Says:

    Hi Lukey

    Sorry to hear that your game is giving you a hard time. We’ve all be there before.

    It’s difficult to give any suggestions as you do not provide much info.

    Why do you think you were trying to hit the ball too hard? Why do you think you started doubting yourself as soon as you hit one poor shot?

    It is generally accepted that a perfectionist approach to golf is doomed to failure as the game is in fact a game of mistakes. It’s how you handle and recover from your mistakes that counts. As soon as you start doubting yourself tension and anxiety are bound to affect you.

    How long have you played golf? What handicap do you play off? Is your swing basically sound or are trying any technical changes?

    If you could be a bit more specific, I am sure Steady (Oz), myself and certainly Cameron would be able to at least make some tentative suggestions.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  146. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Esteady
    Well basically I have been trying to let my swing go and feel as natural as can be whilst still focusing on being automatic.Perhaps and I stress perhaps I have been trying just too hard to be auto and in so doing I have fallen into a trap of being too ego driven and thus just trying to hit the ball hard.I am not normally not a hard hitter more a swinger of the golf club.I have been playing golf for about 23 years and am off a h/cap of 16.My handicap has been as low as 11 but just of late it has blown out and not come down with just the occasional good round.My wife is of the opinion I try to be too perfect and perhaps it is true but I am really trying to embrace the auto process because I know when I do everything seems to fall into place.I lokk forward to any tips you may be able to help me with.
    Cheers Lukey

  147. ESteady Says:

    Hi Lukey

    I have played golf for well over 30 years now and am currently off 12. I was as low as 6 some 25 years ago but have had various physical (back) problems and only play 3/4 times per month and never practice. Having said that I still believe it is possible to play better by improving my course management and mental game and this is where I have focused most of my attention recently.

    Obviously, I am no expert but for what it’s worth here are my thoughts on what I know of you from your posts.

    You are clearly an experienced golfer and your handicap range indicates that you certainly know how to play the game. Two points jump out at me from what you have said. First, you say that your handicap has gone up from 11 to 16 of late. I don’t know if I am misinterpreting this but that seems like quite a jump ‘of late’(how long exactly did this take?) and I would suggest that you review how you used to play when you were off 11 and see if there is anything that has changed or that you used to do then that you are not doing now. I do not necessarily mean technique wise either. As I am sure you are aware, one of the joys of golf is that it is not just about ’swinging a stick at a rock’. If it was that easy we would all be low handicappers!

    For me, the main point that comes across from your last couple of posts, and not surprisingly I think your wife is on to it as well, is a perfectionist streak in your nature. This is a great quality for some activities but I would suggest you investigate how this can negatively impact on your game and try to give yourself a break and play with no expectations.

    Like you I struggle with various problems and whilst I am finding it extremely difficult to go auto at the moment (you have probably noticed from my recent posts) what I intend doing when the competition season eases down later in the year is to try to change my focus when I play. I intend to play practice rounds with the sole intention of trying to go auto on as many shots as possible and rather than recording my actual score, record how many shots I actually play in auto mode.

    Anyway, I have blithered on long enough for now. I hope you find my thoughts of some use. I am sure you will let me know how you get on.

    Good golfing and keep the faith!

    Cheers

    ESteady

  148. ESteady Says:

    Hi Tribers

    Played 4BBB friendly with some mates today. Back was giving me trouble to begin with but when warmed up played quite nicely. My partner and myself won a very close fought match 1 up.

    It is not possible to say exactly what I shot today as I did not hole out on every hole. However, I have no doubt that had I done so I would have shot a couple of shots or so under handicap.

    Did not even try to go auto today. Am waiting for Cameron to get back to me with his thoughts on why my concious mind appears to sabotage my efforts to go auto by continually thinking about it!!!! Very frustrating!!!!!!! In any event, as I said to Lukey above, I am struggling to go auto in competition and intend trying to get a bit more practice at it in non-competitive rounds before trying again in competition.

    I guess I must be a bit of a control freak on the course as more than anything else I hate hitting poor shots and making poor scores, to the extent that I maybe stifle what Cameron describes as natural / instinctive ability to play ‘extraordinary golf’.

    One of the main problems with going auto at the moment, in my mind, is the fact that I am actually playing quite well. I have played 8 rounds in 2009 and am currently somewhere around 8 under for those rounds. My handicap has come down slightly on the back of these performances but not much because I tend to shoot a lot of scores around handicap rather than playing poorly then out of the blue shoot a 44 pointer or something silly like that. Had I been playing poorly I believe I may have been more conducive to going auto. However, I have no intention of wishing poor golf upon myself.

    Come on Tribers! I know you’re out there somewhere! Let’s hear from you guys. I am beginning to think I’m going mad talking to myself like this!!!!!!!!!!

    Cheers

    ESteady

  149. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi SteadyE and Tony,
    When It comes to golf I too am also a perfectionist. However I can both understand your frustrations. To put it simply the automatic process is by nature a hard skill to grasp. It goes against everything the “GOLF INDUSTRY” is about. The other week I played with a new found friend who plays off 4 handicap. I hit it 45 to 50 meters past him on my drive use wedges and sandwedges when he uses 7 or 8 irons. However in saying that he scores everytime when needed. He told me his game is putting and let me tell you he can put. I asked him what his secret was. He said he never panics, plays within himself and trusts his swing/putting. He doesn’t get distracted buy other golfers, noise or his bad luck/score. He just plays.
    That steady and tony is the secret. Just play. Next time you play a round go out and play. Steady if you feel comfortable grinding do it. Tony just relax and let your score take care of itself. BTW My new found friend thinks I should be playing of 2 or 3. He said those shots fromm 100m in that require finesse needs attention. Take a club that gets the ball to the hole not what your ego says. As for Cameron not having much imput, to his defence he has been extremely busy, working and playing pennant does take it’s toll. Will ring him tonight to see what is happening.
    Happy Golfing
    Cheers Steady(oz)

  150. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Steady oz @ e
    Great to hear from both of you and I can tell you your input has been very helpful because yesterday I went and played at a different course and whilst the score was not that flash I did actually go auto most of the time and did not worry about a score and it was enjoyable.One thing tht did contribute to a slightly higher score was the greens had just been sliced and were very rough (no excuse fact) and you either putted well or you didn’t.Esteady as far as the handicap goes I was on 11 some time ago but I have been tooing and froing between 14-16 over the last couple of years.Steady oz I also appreciate your advice and I hope yourself Esteady Cameron and myself continue on with this because it is having a p[ositive affect on my game.Thankyou once again and I will catch up later.
    Cheers Lukey

  151. Cameron Says:

    Hi Guys,

    I’ve written a post on the home page that you’ll find interesting. click here

    Yes, I’ve been busy but I’ll find some more time to help out.

    Good golfing,

    Cameron

  152. ESteady Says:

    Hi Tribers

    Please see my reply to Cameron’s latest post on the home page. Let’s hope this opens up wider areas of conversation / discussion.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  153. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Cameron or Steady oz
    Played today but unfortunately nothing to report of a good nature (24pts) tried to be auto but feel that was not the case.My question for you both today is I concentrated very hard on being auto but found I reverted back to the days of the 27 h/cap and ended up with the weak slice and if not that open stance and a hard pull left.Needless to say I did not enjoy myself at all and started to think am I just wasting my time.It feels a little bit like when nothing is happening of a positive nature I go back to what feels good but that is just plain crap.To be totally honest I feel like I hit about a dozen good shots today and that is it.I just need some reinforcement and perhaps a couple of ideas.
    Cheers Lukey

  154. ESteady Says:

    Hi Guys

    Lukey. Don’t get down on yourself too much mate. Everyone has a poor round now and again. Just simply forget it. You’ll be stronger next time!!

    Played in Medal today. Interesting round. Shot 84 - 12 = 72 net.

    Decided to really give auto another chance. 5 over for first 5 holes. Not good but not disasterous. Then played next 10 holes in 2 over. Going well. Swinging auto on pretty much every shot and, whilst knowing that I am playing pretty well, not actually thinking about score.

    So, stood on 16 tee 7 over gross with not a care in the world when guy marking my card blurts out that I can afford a bogey on one of the last 3 holes and still break 80. Well, you can guess the rest!!!!! Finished double bogey, triple bogey, bogey for gross 84. Auto swing went out of window and couldn’t stop thinking about score. I could have throttled my marker but, you know what, I don’t think his comment was malicious, I think he was genuinely excited for me and just didn’t realise the significance of what he said. What do you do in those circumstances. The guy meant no harm but I was just not strong enough to put what he said out of my mind. What annoyed me even more was that on each of those last 3 holes I put my tee shot in perfect position. Somehow I managed to drop 6 shots from perfect position after great tee shots on each hole. That is soooooo frustrating!!!!! Any suggestions anyone????

    So not a great result but I really did have auto golf going for a while out there today. As Cameron said in one of his recent posts, it felt really strange but I enjoyed it immensely. Shame I couldn’t just keep trusting over the last 3 holes.

    Despite my weak finish, today has reignited my belief in going auto. For those middle 10 holes I hit pretty much every shot on automatic and hit only 4 substandard shots in that stretch. Also, my putting today was good, especially my long range lag putting. I really let go and just played and it felt good!!!!

    Just my luck! I can’t get away for my next game for probably a fortnight! It’s going to be a frustrating wait but I believe it will be worth it.

    Feeling pretty good at the moment. Hope you all feel the same. Good luck and good golfing.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  155. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Esteady
    Absolutely rapt to here you in the main had a good game and as for the last three holes I would not be too phased because you had a ratio of 83% which I feel is a very good result.I honestly feel you will be able to handle the result better as auto becomes more the done thing and a comment such as that will only reinforce the auto process.On reflection with my own game I fell into trying something mode and that quite simply does not work so head down bum up and stick to auto.
    Cheers Lukey

  156. SteadyOz Says:

    Hi Tribers,
    I did something yesterday i haven’t done in a long time. My son and I went to the driving range. We had a ball. Talk about automatic swinging. I had forgotten a lesson yours ago I had with Cam. I remember Cam talking about the automatic process and how it works best for you. Then I got to thinking about golf instruction, how it seems to be a cookie cutter system ie one size fits all. Gay Brewer the 1967 Masters winner had the worst looking swing ever, use to hook the crap out of the ball, yet he won a major. WHY?
    In itself you can have all the instrution in the world yet if it doesn’t suit you or your swing you will only be as good as your body and mind lets you. A great example is Jim Furyk. One golf commentator desribed his swing as someone stuck in a phone booth with an axe trying to kill a snake. However in the case of going automatic(walk to the ball through to completetition of the swing) your subconscious swings the club for you. It suits you and your body type.
    I hope this adds some encouragemnt in your quest. I have been slack the last 4 rounds that i have played. Will be diffrent on Sat.
    BTW - I asked my son to call out shots before my walk to the ball ie high fade/draw low fade/draw etc out of 10 I hit those shots i hit 9 at will. It just goes to show that you have the talent/potential but you must be willing to let the automatic process ( walk to the ball till completition of the shot) have it’s way.
    . I swing the club like I use to play tennis. This is what works for me.
    I use to train in military style boxing called oppugnate. My trainer Ian recognised that I was so right side dominant, that this was my major strength, he never mentioned it was a weakness. He saw an individual trait in me and used it a strong point.So from then on I swing the golf club like I use to play tennis, very very right handed. Don’t try this your self as YOU have to find what works. 99% of golf instructers will say that his is wrong but stuff them it WORKS for ME. Golf pros bend your knees $30 please.
    What you have to find is the automatic process YOUR SWING and marry the two. The 2 then become 1 4 life.
    Cheers
    SteadyOZ

  157. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi tribers
    Off up to my mates place to play this weekend and hope my little practice session today continues on there because today felt good.
    Cheers Lukey

  158. Steady(oz) Says:

    Had a real bad start wipe 4 one pointers yet finished with 31 points. Found it hard to go auto for the firts 6 holes but once i did I found it easy to play. I could sit and bitch about bad bounces or a rushed start, but once I got going and committed myself to going auto I played really well. I will say this though those hole I went auto on in the first 9, I got into trouble caused I airmailed those four greens. I was completely unaware that when I did auto I struck the ball to good if you now what I mean. So I then to a club less, went for the middle of the green and played from there.
    Club champs next week will let you know more then.
    I now know that with all these disappointments that other tribers are going I’m ther at the moment but I know once you shake the old habits off and play your way, you will be very surprised at how easy and great you can play.
    Enjoy
    Cheers Steady(OZ)

  159. ESteady Says:

    Hi Lukey and ESteady

    Good luck this weekend in your respective golfing adventures. Good Luck also with the club championship Steady(Oz),mine are in second week of June.

    Won’t be playing this weekend myself. Disappointing as really enjoyed middle auto part of my medal round last week.

    Good golfing and speak to you next week.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  160. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi Steady (e@oz)
    Went up to my mates golf course this weekend and played in a multiplier (s/ford) but unfortunately played only average in the main with the occasional good hole.I did stick to the auto process as best I could but had a case of the lefts which got me into a lot of trouble.My mate did point out though that my ball position was way outside my front foot so I will concentrate a little harder on my ball positioning and that hopefully will alleviate the lefts.Steady oz my main way of thinking now is to go into every round of golf with no expectation and I feel once the auto process becomes a little more common that the rest of the game will really flow.
    Cheers for now Lukey

  161. Steady(OZ) Says:

    Hi Tony,
    good to hear from you. Now your starting to learn. Expectation of a score or for that matter any expectations totally stuff your round. Mate it happened to me yesterday. I thought i’ll shoot 42 points today without braeking a sweat. However as I said in my last post it took me 6 holes to start playing automatic. I’ll give you an example of auto playing hole 7 par 30foot par put , 8 30m lobwedge to 6 feet made the put for par that was after a crappy wormburning six iron , hole 9 reg 2 putt par 8 foot birdie putt that slid by the hole, 10 driver lobwedge to 5 feet birdie.
    That’s how you can play when you find your own swing and just play.
    Let me know of your progress.
    Keep it up Tony it will happen and when it does you get so good during your round you wish you could play another 18. Honestly it is that good.
    Cheers Steady (OZ)

  162. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Steady oz
    Thank you for your input and I will continue to go along with the auto process.Just a question though and that is do you take particular care with aligning yourself (ie.ball position ,aim etc)because I must admit I get into a little trouble with it.Of course once I get set I go auto.
    Cheers Lukey

  163. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi Lukey,
    What I do is face the ball and look through my left eye as far as getting set and aligning myself. Ultimately your subconcious will do this. Try practicing your alignment by laying down a club on the ground with a ball beside it, stand behind it then go thorugh your routine, then check to see if your are properly aligned.
    Let me know how you go.
    Cheers Steady(oz)

  164. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Steady oz
    Thanks for the tip and I will try it next time I go to practice ,because as my wife said I have a tendency to open up pretty bad and of course ball position is up the creek as well.Will keep you informed as re my progress and tyhanks once again.
    Cheers Lukey

  165. Cameron Says:

    Lukey,

    Sorry for my absence lately. What you’re going through are usual symptoms of the auto process. Steady Oz has gone through it and I certainly have.

    My last month of golf has been awful! I’ve been so busy with work and had a little injury but that is still no excuse. Bottom line? I haven’t been following the system.

    Trying too hard and not allowing yourself to swing freely is the main problem. Here’s a solution:

    1. Spend some time away from the golf course working on your ball position. It shouldn’t take that long. Move it back in your stance and move on. Reckon you can nut out a better position in a few days.

    2. Head to the golf course without thought of score or results. Potentially your expectations are too high. Yes, this is easier said than done but you’ve got to try. Play a few rounds by yourself (so there’s no pressure) and really let go - go for it. Work out what you need to do (like hit the ball 155 metres) then choose a club (6 iron) and then go and hit that stupid white ball. There’s nothing more you can do.

    All of the stress, concern and worry are not helping. Yes it’s a difficult game but it’s not impossible - all of the garbage we worry about (like alignment and score) do not help.

    Hope this post is not too blunt - you’ll get there I promise. You just need a prod in the correct direction.

    Let me know how you go.

    Cameron

    PS. I believe alignment is a 1 percenter. It is such a stupid little skill that it is hardly worth worrying about. Do you struggle to drive your car straight? Can you throw a ball accurately? These skills are easy because we don’t worry about them. I’ve never yet seen a golfer who’s alignment is poor - only happens when we place too much emphasis on it. Forget about it! Head to the golf course and play - you’ll do just fine.

  166. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi Cam
    Yes I agree with everything you say and yes I will use my practice rounds to hone the auto process.As I explained to steady oz I go out there now with no expectation and try to let the auto process take care of it.I agree with you that alignment is not 100% crucial but I feel bad ball position in my case just over emphasised it but with all the encouragement I am receiving from steady oz and e and of course yourself I will get there.I am too bloody minded to let it beat me.
    Cheers Lukey

  167. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi Tribers
    Played today and the end result was not too bad.I made sure the whole day was based on no expectation of score or whatever.I also made sure I parked Mr. EGO at the bar and told him to stay there.Now for the result and that was not that bad (82/66) two over my handicap and but for a couple of putts that did not drop could have been a little better.But the most pleasing aspect was I feel I went pretty well auto for most of the day and I thought this can only get better.By the way too Steady oz sighting with just my left eye did help with my ball position and I did not have to worry about my alignment .So at the end of the day things are looking up.
    Cheers Lukey
    PS. Cam no I did not think you were being harsh and I look forward to any further input you feel may help.

  168. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi Tribers,
    played first rnd of club champs. Before I start the ccr was 74. Approx ave in a grade was 79net. I had 80 net. First 5 holes were good but made too many stupid club selestions which lead to my demise. I airmailed 4 greens. Not un happy however I still keep in trusting what I’m doing. Eventhough I had a bad day I enjoyed playing auto as much as i could. Cheers
    Steady(oz)

  169. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi Tribers,
    a better day today. Stareted with a triple turned 4 over had 4 over the back 9 finished with net 74. Greens were slicker today and pins hard. However played an auto as much as I could and didn’t do too bad.
    Cheers Steady(oz)

  170. ESteady Says:

    Hi fellow Tribesmen!

    Another Steady!! round today in Stableford Comp. 80 - 12 = 68 (39 points). Apart from 2 double bogies on Par 3s (holes 2 and 12), played really good auto golf. Am finding this a bit easier since Cameron put me straight and told me that I only have to distract my concious mind for length of pre shot routine and stroke itself.

    Have now played 10 rounds in 2009 with average of 81.80 (best 79 and worst 85). Now you can see where the Nickname comes from!! Whilst I do like to play consistently, I don’t often shoot lights out stuff and that means that my handicap does not alter a great deal. 6 of the 10 rounds have been competition rounds and I stand 5 under net for those rounds. I expect to be cut either .4 or possibly .6 on today’s round which will reduce my exact handicap to either 11.8 or 11.6. I started the year at 12.3. So at least I’m heading in the right direction.

    I guess now is when I have to be patient, stick with the auto process and hopefully something special will start to happen. As I hardly ever practice as such, I am quite pleased that I have started to integrate the automatic process into my game without it adversely affecting my scoring. It would be very much more difficult to do if I was struggling with my game.

    Glad to see that your game is back Lukey. 5 over for back 17 is great golf Steady(Oz). CCR 74 first day!! Sounds tough! Is CCR the same as our CSS (Competition Scratch Score)??

    Would be interested to hear from Cameron or Steady(Oz) with suggestions as to how I can possibly move forward from here or is it simply a question of patience/time. I’m sure I could move things along a bit more quickly if I was playing more but at the moment that simply is not an option.

    Finally, I find it absolutely amazing that we still appear to be the only real Tribesmen!! Whatever happened to all those guys that committed back at the beginning. I have seen other names on different parts of the site, so come on you guys, let’s here from you lot!!!!!!!!!!!

    Cheers and good golfing

    ESteady

  171. Cameron Says:

    ESteady,

    Think you have hinted in the post above about what is required for you to make some bigger steps.

    “I hardly ever practice”

    Automatic golf will maximise your current skill level and I believe that you’ll gradually improve over time, but it can be slow. If you want to improve faster here’s some ideas.

    Work on your short game - boring yes, but highly beneficial. PGA pros are so good at this that many hit the ball all over the place and can shoot very good scores.

    Ditto for putting

    Push yourself a little harder - play from the back tees. Leave your woods at home - leave your irons at home. Play with just a five iron. Learn to hit a high pitch with your 6 iron. Can you hit a high draw? What about a low fade with a wedge?

    Automatic golf is awesome for actual play - it can be a bit boring (because we’re so damn consistent)so use practice as a way to learn and explore.

    Try shots you’ve always wanted to hit (just be realistic - don’t try and hit 400 metre drives!) and have some fun. Then you can automate those shots and add them to your repertoire. You’ll then make some giant steps.

    Sometimes we forget that golf is a game - we get so caught up in score and results that we forget to have fun.

    I have taken my own advice of late and started working on some new shots in practice. It’s fun and I’m starting to see some results.

    Go for it E! Time to break the shackles.

    Cameron

  172. Cameron Says:

    Lukey,

    Good work. Your job is now to commit to the process for a little time. Don’t get distracted - follow the process for your next 5 rounds. Here’s a basic recap:

    1. Work out what you want to do behind the ball.
    2. Choose a club to do the job.
    3. hit the bloody ball with the most natural and free flowing swing you can.
    4. put the club back into the bag
    5. smell the roses - talk about the weather or the footy. (i.e. don’t analyse!!!)
    6. repeat until the final putt is made.

    Good golfing,

    Cameron

  173. Cameron Says:

    Steady Oz,

    Good work mate - in tough conditions you’ve got to keep trucking with the auto process. It would be great if we could always strike the ball well, make putts and shoot super scores. It rarely happens.

    You didn’t panic and played a good second round. You may want to take a bit more care with club selection and strategy. Your course is impossible if you go long - stop going for the pins :) Aim for the front middle of the greens and you’ll probably save a stroke or two per round.

    Keep going mate, you’re doing great!

    Cameron

  174. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi Cam and fellow tribers
    Had a practice round yesterday (9 Holes) and managed to go auto the majority of the time and ended up playing half decent.I actually ended the round with a smile on the face.Well done to both the steadies great stuff.
    Cheers Lukey

  175. ESteady Says:

    Hi Tribers

    Good news! My 39 points on last Sunday were good enough to win my Handicap Division and qualify me for the reginal finals of the UK Public Courses Championship.

    If I can manage to get into the top three in my Division at the regional level I will qualify for the national finals, which are held at St Andrews - The Home of Golf. Probably not the Old Course. Last year the final was over the Eden Course.

    Looks like my efforts with automatic golf are beginning to bear fruit.

    Thanks for your help over the past months and I look forward to our friendship continuing long into the future.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  176. Cameron Says:

    Hey ESteady,

    Well done! You’ll have a massive advantage in the regional final - many will over think and get tight. You’ll be able to play automatically and enjoy a free flowing game.

    Go for it! And don’t forget to enjoy the experience. Bigger things await I suspect.

    Cheers,

    Cameron

  177. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Esteady
    I would like to back up Cam’s post and say congratulations and yes stay auto and go for the throat ha! ha!.Also I would like to wish steady oz all the best for the rest of the c/ships.
    Cheers Lukey

  178. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi Tribers
    Played again today and did manage to stay auto for most of the round but felt I stumbled occasionally with bad decision making which led to a couple of bad holes.I must be 100% truthful too and state that on a couple of occasions I let ego get in the way.I am now likening my journey to achieve auto as like driving my car along the road until I get to the mopst important part and turn the corner.At this stage the I can see the corner and I just have to push a little harder to get round that corner.By the way my score (83/67) whilst not being all that flash was 3 over my h/cap but improvement is in sight.
    Cheers Lukey

  179. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi TRibers,
    couldn’t hit water if a fell out of a boat. Man toughed out the day for a very dissapointing 85-net 78.
    After today I’m taking a break. MY head is full. Kept to my routine however just cost myself strokes by trying to play catch up. ie bogey one hole and try to birdie the next. Man this game can bite hard if you don’t play smart.
    Anyway another day approaches. Let you know later how i go.
    Steady(oz)

  180. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Steady oz
    Sorry to hear it was not such a good day but with your overall approach i’m sure it will only be temporary and as you have said to me on a few occasions just keep the chin up and keep working at it and it will come.Golf is that sort of game that really tests the thing we have to have “patience”.I like you to a degree do have a problem from time to time exhibiting that thing called patience but it is the key.
    Cheers Lukey

  181. ESteady Says:

    Hi Tribers

    Steady(Oz). Relax, take your break and come back stronger next time. There is more to life than just golf!

    I don’t have a comp this weekend so am playing a round by myself to practice letting go and being completely auto. Will let you know how I get on.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  182. ESteady Says:

    Hi Guys

    Not much to report really. Found going auto whilst playing by myself in non competitive situation even more difficult.

    Played as singleton but got stuck behind group of 4 balls and not allowed to play through. I know singleton has no standing on course but in my book common courtesy demands you allow singleton to play through. I waited on every single shot for 16 holes but then walked in as time was getting on and I had other responsibilities. 16 holes took 4.5 hours.

    I shot 72 (10 over) for 16 holes. 11 pars and 2 bogies but had two doubles and one triple bogey. Triple came from 4 putt. Too much time to think about things between shots and nobody to talk with made going auto difficult. On some shots my mind was just swimming with various kinds of thoughts. Don’t know what to say really, just one of those days I guess.

    Anyway, back to competition next week. Let’s hope we can keep the doubles and triples of my card then.

    Speak to you soon.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  183. Steve Hansen Says:

    Hi Tribers,
    I have been away awhile (dam computer problems).
    I have had both sucess & failure with auto process,

    SUCCESS
    I have been playing match play ( div 3 pennant ) as mind is focused only on next shot with no care to to results, surprise surprise, I have now shot two rounds in a row which would of finished in low to mid 80’s if matches had been finsihed off ( not bad for a 23 h’caper ) who had never broken 90.

    Auto rountine is simple, pick out shot & club behind ball, count walking up to ball, look at & align to target, look at ball, hit ball.

    FAILURE
    When I go back & play club golf, once again my mind get’s in the way & I become to score / result focused & consquently have shot two rounds one of 98 & one of 100.

    I need to work harder on automation, which is improving, after reviewing rounds, I put low scores down to when chipping/ putting in match play I am completly target focused with no fear of consequence of missing as competitor may also stuff up etc.

    Whereas stroke/ s’ford etc I am thinking I need to get this close to get up & down for par / bogey.

    I am determined to keep working with process of automation as I can see a very bright light at the end of the tunnell.

    I have now played a couple of rounds with my game at the level I desire - in the 80’s & I have renewed focus to get there on a more consistent basis.

    Regards

    Steve H

  184. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Steve h
    You are absolutely correct it is not easy but if perhaps you treat all rounds as being matchplay it may help.Keep at it though you will suceed.
    Cheers Lukey

  185. ESteady Says:

    Hi Tribers / Cameron

    Am I missing something? Since when did we have to log in to view Cameron’s Blog.

    If I have been asleep whilst something new has been introduced, how do I log in?

    Cheers

    ESteady

  186. Cameron Says:

    Tribers,

    The blog is going under a transformation. I have been working on it for sometime now. Hopefully it will be up and running today.

    Keep your eyes peeled for more info.

    Cameron

  187. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi Cam
    What is the go with the email you sent because it requires a password that I know nothing about.
    Cheers

    Lukey

  188. Steve Hansen Says:

    Thanks Lukey - for the positive feedback.

    Thought re matchplay has also entered mind & I will give it a go unfortunately I can’t play on Saturday, but I will have practise round on Sunday.

    Regards

    Steve H

  189. Steady(oz) Says:

    time for reflection.
    I’ts been 10 years since i took up golf again after a 4 year break. If i knew back then what I know now. Hindsight - good if it is in the present. Haha. Anyway I like others have been hoodwinked to a degree in thinking that a great swing equals excellent golf. As i have said in other posts Gay Brewer the winner of the 1967 Masters had a terrible swing( I wonder what Johnny Miller would say)yet he won a major.
    Having gone through the instruction merry go round I came to realise that what Cameron has provided here is nothing short of revolutionary. I’m not saying that to kiss his backside or gain any browny points. The reason I say it is because It works. If you look at every other book,tip or instruction it doesn’t make it a complete instruction. Cameron gives you the why and how which makes golf a more simplier game. Man in general has made difficult because of 2 things. 1 adults have to make it complex and 2 there is money to be made from it. So anyone who is reading these posts. Have the patience and committment to go through with Camerons instruction. You won’t be dissappointed.
    Cheers Steady(oz)

  190. ESteady Says:

    Hi Tribers

    I would like to second Steady(Oz) comments. Automatic is not a quick fix. I have been trying since about last Sep and am now beginning to see the results. For me, these results don’t necessarily result in better scores but a more relaxed game that dosn’t leave me totally exhausted after a round. Hopefully, the better scores will come in time.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  191. Cameron Says:

    Hi Tribers,

    Yep. Agree. It’s not a quick fix. There is no such thing.

    Let’s take my putting for example. In 1999 I had the putting yips. I was hopeless. Rarely had less than 36 putts a round. By 2001 I was worse - could barely take the putter away.

    In 2005 I had had enough. I decided to approach putting like the rest of my game - automatically.

    It took time. I wanted to analyse and be careful - but I kept trucking. I still yipped and three-putted. In one round I had a three footer to win the match - I hit the ground first and the ball didn’t make it to the hole. I kept going.

    By the middle of 2007 I was a different player. I stopped worrying about putts. I started making more and missing less. Golf was fun again.

    Yes it takes some time - but it also takes courage and guts to keep going. The easy thing to do is to keep searching and changing. That is what everyone else does. But that doesn’t work either. At least automatic will give you want you want - eventually.

    This is probably not going to appeal to everyone - that’s ok - only those truly committed will seek the results they deserve.

    Talk to you soon,

    Cameron

  192. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi tribers
    Well today I cry tears of blood wan’t to play golf but cannot as bad weather has closed our golf course.I find it a real pity because I had a good feeling about today.Any way it’s my birthday today (61) so I shall go out and have a nice day any way.Hope to at least get a practice round in so I can comment on that instead.
    Cheers Lukey

  193. ESteady Says:

    Hi Tribesmen

    84 - 12 = 72 net (10th place) in Hodgson Trophy Medal today. Really quite pleased with that. Very difficult day with squally showers and very strong 3/4 club wind. Young 24 handicapper played round of his life to shoot same gross as me 84 - 24 = 60 net. Unbelievable!!! Out of field of 72 nearly a third of field either NR or 100 plus. It was a really tough day but I enjoy those days even more. Trying to fly the ball low and keep myself in the game mentally.

    Top 16 qualify for the knockout stages of Hodgson Trophy. Hopefully I will have enough brownie points with the Missus to enable me to play. Fixture list is getting a bit hectic.

    Still working hard at going auto. Seems to be easiest for me on putting. Reckon I hit about 45/50% tee to green shots auto today and probably 90% plus auto putts. Putting really saved me in the difficult conditions. No 3 putts and 7 one putts. Auto lag putting was brilliant. Just need to work a bit more on trusting auto swing tee to green and I think we could be in for a good summer.

    Happy Birthday Lukey!!! Shame you couldn’t get out for a game. Which part of the world do you play in? Are you Aussie as well?

    Cheers

    ESteady

  194. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    E Steady
    Sorry I have never let anyone no where I come from but I live in a little place called Tasmania (just below Australia ha!ha!).I live in a place called Montrose which is about a 20 minute drive out of Hobart the Capital of Tassie.Just had my clubs regripped and I am hopeful of getting 9 holes of practice in tomorrow.Well done by the way steady and continue you to play well (auto).
    Cheers Lukey

  195. ESteady Says:

    Hi Lukey

    I worked in Aussie(Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin)for a couple of years in the mid 1980s. I used to be involved in the casino industry. You may know that Hobart was the first place in Aussie to have a legal casino, about 1974 if I remember correctly.

    My best mate in Alice was guy from Tasmania, Frank. Great bloke! He was seriously assaulted playing Aussie Rules in Alice. He was the main attaker up front who leaps to take the high kicks from the back. Well, as you know he plays with his back to the defender (mostly) and this defender, without Frank seeing it coming, wallops round his head from behind catching Frank right on the side of the jaw. Frank was out cold and went down like a sack of spuds smashing his head on the hard ground making matters even worse. He was in a coma for nearly a week and there were concerns about brain damage. Thank goodness, he came out of the coma and was OK up top. However, he had to relearn almost everything like walking and writing etc. Took him well over a year to recover but he was never quite the same guy. Very lucky indeed! We keep in touch periodically. He came to Europe must be 20 years ago now, met a girl from Holland, from where his family originally came to Australia, married her and now lives near Amsterdam. The circle is complete so to speak.

    Off to play second round of 4BBB Summer Knockout tomorrow afternoon. My partner (13 handicap) and me (12 handicap) are playing two former club champions, both off 5 I think. Tough match in store but with our shots and auto golf I think we have a good chance to win if we can just surprise them a little bit over the first few hole. Make them think! Will let everyone know how we do.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  196. RayC Says:

    Hello Tribers,
    I’m a recent convert to the Automatic Golf. I read Camerons E-Book and it capsulated the way I have played golf for many years!!! I wish I had of stumbled across this method 20 years ago!! I would of saved a lot of frustration and money in trying to play better golf. Have only played nine holes working on the automatic approach and apart from falling back into old habits on a couple of holes, I hit the ball straighter and better than I have for years. I’m hoping this wasn’t a fluke.I used the counting method when going automatic to distract the thought process when walking up to play the shot. I’m keen to get some of your thoughts in regard to whether anyone had found any specific method that worked well when going automatic to play their shot? I’m very patient and realize this process could take quite a while to master. I look forward to any tips you can pass on?
    Regards,

  197. ESteady Says:

    Hi Ray C

    I’m ESteady. I have been gradually learning, and am still learning, the art of automatic golf over the last 9 months I guess.

    Your experience with auto golf is no fluke. Maintain your patience and use whatever method you can to distract your concious mind during your walk to the ball and the shot itself. Natural learning and the true golfer within you will do the rest. Welcome aboard. The Tribers look forward to hearing from you regularly.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  198. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi Tribers,
    for those of you want to know how to go auto, it’s easy yet difficult. Easy becasue as Cam says most of our day to day functions we work on autumatic/autopilot. It’s hard because you have to have enough self discipline to tough it out. Man our club champs was hard. I thought I was an imposter being on this blog because of my scores of net 80’s. However when played with someone of the same handicap and we shot very similar scores net 84, I realised that the course was set for a club champs. Hard,fast greens in with difficult pin placements. As i said you have to get far removed from the brainwashing that a good swing=good scores. I found out my swing by just experimenting, playing tennis + flat swing is how I hit the ball. I’m know confident that I can trust my swing in any situation. Then just play golf. As Cameron says stop dicken around with your swing and play. There is a time and place for checking your swing and let me tell you it’s not while your playing in a comp.
    I hope this helps.
    Cheers
    Steady(oz)

  199. ESteady Says:

    Hi Tribesmen

    My partner and I played in the second round of our club’s 4BBB Summer Knockout this afternoon against our current club champion and a former club champion. We were not at our best, although we were by no means bad. However, the other guys were on fire. They were 6 under gross through 12 and we didn’t even sniff a win on any hole, despite having 12 shots between us, and ended up losing 8 and 6.

    I am convinced the current champion is playing auto golf, even if he dosn’t know it. He just looks over the shot for a few seconds, selects his club, walks up to the ball, a couple of waggles and swings. Everything done and dusted within 30 seconds from start to finish. Really impressive! He is not a classic swinger. A bit of a slogger in fact. Not pretty to watch from a purist point of view but boy was he effective. Just confirms what Steady (Oz) said above. Good swing does not necessarily mean good scores. However, put automatic natural swing (even if not classic) with lovely short game and you have club champ.

    I was not overawed by these guys but I must admit that on a couple of occasions I tried shots that I would not have normally tried in an attempt to force a win. Unlike me, but these guys showed no sign of coming back to us and I felt compelled to fire at flags that I would normally have played away from. This may have contributed to our early defeat but I just could not see them dropping any shots. They just beat the pants off of us. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the game and am even more convinced by the club champ’s play that auto golf is the way.

    Good job I’m not one to get down on myself after a defeat as Gloucestershire County Medal on Saturday. Still playing well and will simply try to improve my percentage auto shots and see what happens.

    Cheers

    ESteady

  200. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi steady e @ oz
    Great to read your posts and see the positive approach to the auto process and yes when it happens it happens.Managed to fit in a practice round yesterday of 9 holes and was impressed with my ability to stay with the auto process and ended up five over which whilst not stunning was three better than my h/cap.So naturally I am looking forward to playing Saturday to see how things go.It is also encouraging to see a couple more joining in with us.
    Cheers for now
    Lukey

  201. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi Tribers,
    Please please any golfer who is looking fwd to their next round don’t have any expectations on what you might score. Remember routine and play. Don’t think(analyse) just play.
    Cheers
    Steady
    PS Steady(E) Bad luck on the matchplay. Iknow how you feel ie violated, but a good observationonplaying auto.

  202. RayC Says:

    Hello Tribers,
    Looking to hopefully get out over the weekend for nine holes.
    My aim is to again be totally focussed on the automatic approach without any expectation or concern about the score.
    I am absolutely dedicated to the automatic approach believing long term it will pay dividends. I will let you know how I get on.
    Cheers
    RayC

  203. ESteady Says:

    Hi Cameron / Guys

    Just tried to read cameron’s latest post on his Blog. Can’t seem to do so as none of the links seeme to be working? Are any of you having same problems?

    Cheers

    ESteady

  204. RayC Says:

    Hi ESteady,
    I had the same problem yesterday thought that it may of been an issue with my computer??

    Regards,
    RayC

  205. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi tribers ,
    me as well. I’ll let Cameron know of the problem.
    Just as a matter of interest. PLaying automatic means that you really don’t have any technical or thought process regarding technique. I’m a pe teacher and everyday I see kids who for some unknown reason have automated many skills that they rely on to perform in many games. These kids may not seem very textbook like in their technique but they get the job done. Please if you get the opportunity look at Gay Brewer’s swing. Not pretty but a masters title holder just the same.
    In golf what you have to have is a mix of sound/basic fundamentals along with playing in competition the ability to call on those skills.This is playing golf. Through his study and observation found in his books he shows you how to play automatically. It is so simple yet so difficult for adults because we question the why. So i hope this helps fellow tribers. I’m still learning to automate my game, the reason it takes longer to learn is that you have to basically reprogram your mind when playing not to think,analyse or try to correct your swing in a mechanical way. Because some where along the line on producing your swing it becomes robotic and stiff, this is excactly the opposite of carefree flowing swing.
    All the best.
    Steady(oz)

  206. Cameron Says:

    Hi Tribers,

    Sorry about the main website problem. I think it is now finally fixed. You can view my golf blog here.

    Chat to everyone soon.

    Cameron

  207. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi tribers
    Played today and unfortunately have not got good news as it was an ordinary day to say the least.I felt I tried hard to stay auto but whether it was a case of just poor decision making or just going to far the other way with auto process I really do not know.I am going away on a golfing holiday with my best mate as of tomorrow so hopefully everything will sort itself out.With a little bit of luck and good application (auto process)I hope to return with much better news in a weeks time.Bye for now and happy golfing to all.
    Cheers Lukey

  208. ESteady Says:

    Hi Tribesmen

    I guess it had to happen sooner or later. My run of good form has officially come to an end. Played Gloucester County Medal today. 91 - 12 = 79 net.

    Without wishing to make excuses, struggled with back after playing last Saturday and last Monday. Still very stiff this morning. Had awful start. 3 putted par 5 first for bogey, bogied 2 and then went 7 and 8 on next two par 4s. 9 over after 4 holes. Who is this guy who calls himself Steady????

    Not a lot more to say really. The worse it got the less I played auto golf. However, as we all know auto golf does not guarantee a good score.

    Not playing next weekend. Back on 6 June for Hawkins Rosebowl Stableford. Club Championship over 13 and 14 June. Hope things pick up before then!!!!

    Cheers

    ESteady

  209. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi tribers
    I notice Cam has reinstated the old blog for us guys so hopefully I shall have better luck on this site because I was hells only problems on the other.Hope to hear from some of you other guys and I should have something to post in the near future.I have been putting a bit of work into my short game and will continue to do so and hope to have a game this Saturday and in turn have something to report.
    Bye for now Lukey

  210. Cameron Says:

    Hi Lukey and othe Tribesmen,

    Yep, I’ve reinstated the original. The other thing was a complete disaster. I’ll be around more so feel free to fire away with questions.

    Sorry I’ve been away for a while - too crazy. I’ve hardly been playing golf myself. Will be working on changing that.

    Thanks for hanging around Lukey.

    Chat soon,

    Cameron

  211. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Cam
    Thanks for that and thought I would let you know steady oz and myself ring each other now and it is marvellous what I have learnt from him in just a couple of phone calls and what I will continue to learn.I look forward to being a star pupil and the first in Tassie to adopt and master the auto process.It would be great to talk to you one day and you never know if I was in Melbourne one day even call in and see you.
    Cheers Lukey.

  212. Cameron Says:

    Lukey,

    No worries at all. I’m sure you’ll get the auto process down and anytime you’re in town come and see me. Think Steady Oz is coming to see me soon too.

    Keep up the good work.

    Cameron

  213. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi Tribers
    Went and played at a little country course called Ouse Golf Club but had really bad conditions in that the wind blew a gale it rained really bad and in general the course was really water logged (I mean bad) and we played a pinehurst(same as yankee)foursome.I tried really hard to stay with the auto process but had a very ordinary day to say the least.It felt like I was quitting on the shots all the time resulting in a really bad and weak cut.I actually lost my swing all together for a hole or two but tried extra hard to stay with the auto process but with little success.Have any of you other tribers struck the same thing?Overall I feel I probably was trying too hard and then ego took hold accompanied with a liberal dose of self doubt which at the end of the day = shit golf.I refuse though to give up and will continue to push forward with the auto process realising that yes it will probably be a bit lousy before coming good (good please hurry ha!ha!).Look forward to hearing from the rest of you.
    Cheers Lukey

  214. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi Tribers,
    This is for you Tony and anyone else who has struggled with the auto process.
    Old habits die hard. So it’s important to be consistent in your routine. The entire preshot routine is to allow you to play your best. This may not be all the time. You could have an injury or just plain mad at the way your swinging.
    One thing that sticks in my mind having recently went out with a friend who plays off 18, as he played and i walked around with him is that he lost any sense of wht he was trying to achieve. Golf is not about hitting fairways and greens in reg. It’s about navigating your way round the course in the least amount of shots that your ability will let you play on that day and in the conditions in which you are playing.
    By that I mean you allow your subconscious to play while distracting your conscious mind with all sorts of clutter and garbage.
    It may mean that you that take 3 shots to get on and 2 putt. That’s what makes golf so great is because you can have so many variables come into play. No 2 rounds are the same. Eventhough you may play the same course on a sat then a sunday.
    So just let go. I know it is difficult at first but it is essential to playing great golf.
    Trust the process, relax and enjoy the experience.
    Cheers Steady(oz)

  215. Steady(oz) Says:

    PS Distract the conscious mind to let the auto matic process happen. BTW the big secret is that we as humans do this all day long and don’t even realise it. That is automatic. Don’t think, do/act.

  216. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi tribers
    Played s/ford comp today and scored 29pts.Whilst this score is nothing to write home about I did at least try to give the auto process 100%.I feel (truthfully) I probably achieved in the main to be about 80% but the 20% (no trust,self doubt) affected the overall result.I know I have to work harder to achieve 100% but believe me I am trying.Further to today I am pleased to say I did get it right for 17 and 18 and parred both and that was rewarding.Now to keep the same mindset for the rest of the holes and I could be away.
    Cheers Lukey

  217. Steady(oz) Says:

    Hi Tribers,
    I’ve reached a point in the automatic process. I can now pretty much go auto on all shots. Yet my scores don’t reflect my true potential at the moment.
    You see my biggest problem isn’t leaking, committment to the shot/putt or playing imaganitive shots.
    My biggest problem is actually playing golf. What I mean is what shot do I need here to be successful. An example is that on saturday monthly medal I had 9 pars and finished 12 over par. To a lot of golfers that be ok but for me it is dissappointing to say the least. I turned 6 over and finished 6 over on the other side. My handicap is 8 at the moment. So in effect i’ve had 9 pars and and shot 12 over on 9 holes.
    My shot selection is critical now to me. I have to not so much think more but not play so aggressively. The biggets trap is that when you do play well you can chance your arm a bit. However all golfers need to be realistic when we play. That may mean that we don’t fire at the pin or try to smash our 3 wood 250 mtrs to the green.
    Will you keep you informed. Will chat to you Cam when I can.
    Cheers Steady(oz)

  218. Lukey (Tony Lucas) Says:

    Hi tribers
    Been off line for a couple of weeks but back again.To catch up the last couple of weeks have been tough to say the and my health has not been great (flu fairly bad) and that in itself has made it hard to play auto.The previous week I felt like I was trying to force the result and that as always will lead to bad results and it did.Today my flu has escalated and really I probably should not have played but when you love golf as I do any chance to play will be taken and I really did try to play auto golf but had a poor day golf wise (89/72 par64).This does not lesson my commitment though to playing auto golf because I know if I continue persevering it will finally come to me.I know it may appear from recent posts that it does not appear to be working but believe when I do get it right and I end up having pars and even the occasional good bogey so keep posted because one day I will telling you about that really good one.
    Cheers for now Lukey

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