Two ways of Thinking

Which was is the best way to think on the golf course...?

"Let's have fun out there today, Jack." Lee Trevino

"Don't feel like talking much today, Lee." - Jack Nicklaus

"That's ok Jack, today you just gotta listen..."- Lee

This is one of my favorite exchanges in all of golf!  This was the conversation between Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus on the first tee during the Monday playoff off of 1971 US Open at Merion Golf Club. Lee won by 3 shots that day for his 2nd US Open title.

Who are you more like on the golf course?  Are you Lee Trevino? Or Jack Nicklaus? Both are the greatest of champions but they come to the mental side of the game from completely opposite sides.

Jack was the consummate grinder. He would concentrate for over 5 straight hours. His intensity was legendary. He would focus on his stride, his breathing and every shot to the Nth degree. His focus was razor sharp and nothing could take him out of his concentration.  He had the ability to seemingly "will" the ball into the hole at the most critical junction in the largest of championships. Nick Faldo, Tiger and Hogan would all fall into this category.

Lee, on the other hand, had a different but equally effective way of concentrating.  He would concentrate intently on his shot for about a minute. He would have his sharpest focus for that time just before and just after he hit the shot. In between shots Lee's focus would wander to whatever he felt. Mostly it was a quick joke but it was anything that his mind let in. But before the shot he then was back to intense focus.

Lee felt that this ebb and flow of his concentration was a better way for him to keep his focus for each shot. He felt concentrating for 5 straight hours was exhausting and wasn't his style. Bubba and Peter Jacobson also fall into this category.

Personally I fall into Lee's category. I find it hard to focus for that long of time. I can do it for 9, 10 or even 14 holes and then get mentally exhausted and then have a 3 or 4 hole lapse and my score suffers.

So which are you? Try both and see how your performance changes. And, most importantly, which is more enjoyable?

Your friend in golf,
John Grothe, PGA