Can't Pull the Trigger!

[Trig]

I'm one of those guyes who can just freeze over the ball....for what seems like an eternity. I just can't seem to pull the trigger and I think it ultimately effects my tempo and rythym.

Any advice for a Sergio (sans the regripping)?

[Rick00000]

A good pre shot routine will cure you. If you watch all good players you will see that they follow a strict pattern and if disturbed stop and then begin again from the beginning. So practice like you are playing. For every ball start from behind, determine your target, step into position, waggle etc. Train yourself to start your swing on the same count every time. Then when you are on the course it will be easier to pull the trigger. A good pre shot routine reduces tension and anxiety which is the main reason for your problem

[Trig]

A good pre shot routine reduces tension and anxiety which is the main reason for your problem

Good advice Rick. I have a preshot routine now, but it doesn't involve starting at any particular point. It gets me set up, and then ends and leaves me hanging! I'll try adding "pulling the trigger" into my routine.

[Bagger Lance]

Trig,

Ever go to a pistol range and practice shooting?

There is a rhythm of motion that a shooter uses before pulling the trigger and it's constant, controlled motion which is repeated precisely for each shot.

A shooter does not fix on the target then pull the trigger. The shooter moves to the target and in a smooth controlled motion, pulls the trigger.

I think there is an anology there for golf. After all, why would you call it "pulling the trigger"?

Bagger

[swingguru]

Welcome to the club.
When I can't pull the trigger, I take it as a "NO GO" signal.
You're off-balance and stress and tension are preventing you from smoothly making your transition.
Stop! Start the routine all over again.

The secret to a smoothe easy trigger is BALANCE. Every golfer is physically different. You have to find your own balance point. Stand tall– let the club fall. Focus on the center of your body–feet firmly on the ground.

Soft hands and a soft body are key to balance.

[Yoda]

Welcome to the club.

No, swingguru, we welcome you to the club. Congrats on your first post and thanks. Here's to many more!

[birdie_man]

FORCE yourself to stop thinking about hitting the ball. That's what's likely stopping you...

Do you feel like you're trying to 'figure it out' in order to become comfortable enough to hit it?

If so, I've been there...it just doesn't work that way though because you become couscious of these thoughts and it gives you that insecure, anxious, confused feeling...happens to me sometimes man.

I'd think this could happen if you are doing some swing changes or are uncomfortable with your swing or the shot in some way...that's what happens to me.

--Practice it consciously on the range (your routine, and stick to doing it in the same amount of time- as Rick mentioned).

--Try to stay loose and keep your waggles rhythmic- and do no more than 3!

--Most importantly though...just don't think about anything! If you catch yourself thinking, just remember- don't! If you have to do any thinking , do it behind the ball, before the shot...leave nothing undecided or up in the air before the shot...indecision is bad bad bad. No good. If the thoughts are golf-swing related, figure it out before the shot (behind the ball) and then translate those mechanics into feel (by waggling, practice swinging, 'Mike Weir waggles', etc.) so you can actually execute a rhythmic swing.

It could be hard to 'shut it off' (your thinking, that is) but you manage it after a while. If your problem is too much thinking, you just have to come to the point where you say "Ok, I know this flat-out DOES NOT WORK...I've tried to think my way through many golf shots and it doesn't work."
...So, the problem could actually lie in the fact that you are thinking at all. You can't.

***Some days it's hard though, and those demons will want to get the best of you- like if you're tired or playing real crappy or in a crappy mood or something...those days I still try to do my best but if nothing works you have to be realistic and lower your expectations for that day. Acceptance of what you may be limited to is huge...just think "I'll come back with a vengence tomorrow." Patience.***

I'd say Clearkeys would DEFINATELY help hugely too man.

If Carey could post on this topic I know he'd have you figured out in no time.

Hope that helped...if that's relevant at all to what you're doing let me know. I'd like to know.

[Matt]

You can't 'think about nothing'...which is why clearkeys are beneficial. I'm really trying to fully get them into my game this season.

[birdie_man]

Well you know what I mean...force yourself to not try to figure things out on the course.

...I mentioned that he could use Clearkeys.

[wanole]

the guy stodd over the ball for 2 minutes. Really peeved me off because he wouldn't let us go through.