Debbie Crews - Golf: Energy in Motion: Its Not About the Ball; Its About the Possibilities!

Its not about the ball;
Its about possibilities!

by

Debbie Crews Ketterling, Ph.D.

This book honors many! First and foremost I would like to honor my dad, Bob Lindsay, who introduced me to the great game of golf. This man loved the game, was a student of the game, and he was also a GREAT performer of the game. He guided me to my teacher of the game, Manuel de la Torre, who I have respected since I met him at the age of 13 years. Manuel had a knowledge of the physics and mental side of the game that far surpassed his time. Of course I would like to honor my mom, Meryl Lindsay, who drove me to the golf course endless trips, who plays very well herself, and who is a model of how to :be when we reach our 80s. My brother, Don, and my sister, Jane, have always supported me and my endeavors and I would like to Thank them.

I would like to honor my husband, Corky Ketterling, who helped me create this book and who designed all the illustrations. More importantly, his love and support are greatly appreciated. Corky helps me be who I want to be. My children (Danny, Armando, Keisa, Cameron, and Alissa) have taught me many GREAT lessons on how to live life. And of course, my animals (30+) who know how to live in the present, adapt, love, and care!

Lastly, there are the many golfers and non-golfers that have allowed me to observe, teach, consult, and test them over the years. Their lessons are throughout this book in many forms. I would especially like to honor Gaelle Truet for her contributions to this book and to life.

I have always believed that the great questions in research come from the real world, and these people have provided both the questions and the answers!

THANK YOU !

T his book is written to enlighten golfers to perform what we want, when we want it, on the golf course. It is about performance, an integral part of learning and playing this great game of golf. In order to perform it is necessary to achieve a synchronized state of being that allows those great shots to flow through the system (mind, brain, and body). The system itself is a remarkable entity that is available to assist us in whatever we want to accomplish. It is more often the case that the performer is unclear, undecided, and possibly in a state of being that interferes with the systems performance. Learning to work with the system and to continually observe and adapt is the challenge of the game. It provides us with many exciting possibilities everyday that we play. If we choose to accept these challenges, the possible outcomes are tremendous. They are often greater than we could imagine. Believing in this concept of endless possibilities from which we choose, prepare, and perform is the first step to enhancing performance. Once we choose to believe, the energy starts moving in the desired direction.

Energy is the base of everything we do. Everything is made up of energy and thus, how we choose to direct the energy determines the outcome, the performance. Thus, energy in motion is about synchronizing many sources of energy through motion to achieve the desired outcome. Our goal is to facilitate the transfer of energy throughout the motion. The euphoria we feel when this happens, I believe, is why we play the game.

The fascinating part is that we have choices. We can choose to have the energy work for us or against us. Energy is always in motion so we can direct it however we choose. And if we dont choose, someone or something else will probably choose for us. But in reality, this simply means that we are choosing not to choose.

Energy flows in patterns at various levels of performance. For us to be able to define these patterns is important for us to be able to change the patterns. Then, if we choose to change the patterns, it will require energy to create new paths to optimal performance.

There are 13 key concepts that provide a framework for experiencing energy in motion golf. We will go through them one at a time. The order of achieving these concepts is different for each golfer. Therefore, I will put them in a logical order for your reading; however, each golfer will need to decide for them self. There will be some repetition of the important points within each concept. Intensity is a key variable that will run through each of the 13 concepts. ENJOY!

1. The Game of the Game

2. Awareness

3. Intention

4. Attention

5. Create GREAT Golf

6. Optimize the Filter

7. Sink-chronize for Success

8. Adaptability

9. Choices

10. I Know

11. Control the Dial

12. Magic Box

13. Believe

There are several terms that need to be defined before we start. They may not be universally agreed upon definitions; however, they will be common ground for this reading.

Learning is defined as a relatively permanent change in the skills and ability to perform a task, a result of experience (Schmidt, 1988). This does not mean that because we know what it is we want to do, that we can do it. It means that a high percent of the time we are successful at achieving our goal (relatively permanent). It also implies that to be learned it is experienced. This means that if the motion is performed correctly at least one time, a motor program has been established to create the desired outcome. In research, a skill is considered learned if it has retention and transfer. If 70% of the time in the field (our field is the golf course) it can be repeated after time has passed (one or two days, minimum) and it can be transferred to a slightly different task, (different club, different target) it is considered learned. (It requires an 80% success rate in the laboratory.)

Performance is how a task is executed (created) at a given point in time (Thomas & Thomas, 1994). Every shot in golf is created, not executed and certainly not repeated. This concept will be discussed in more detail in Chapter 5. How motion is completed at each moment in time is the focus of our intention and attention. These are the precursors of successful performance.

State of Being refers to our physical, psychological, emotional, and intuitive self at a given point in time. It is transitory and is controlled by the performer. However, on occasion, that little white ball thinks it controls our state of being and on occasion, certain golfers give that little white ball all the control. This can change!

Sending refers to a state in which our focus of attention is on transmitting information (efferent signals) to the muscles. It is more commonly referred to as making it happen. Sending occurs primarily during the learning process and on the range.

Receiving is a state in which our focus of attention is on the information returning from the muscles (afferent signals) more commonly known as feedback. It is a let it happen frame of mind and is a necessary state for the golf course.

Mind is the director. Mind was first defined by Descarte (early 1600s) as our awareness, our consciousness, and he believed the mind exists outside the body (Hawkins, 2002). Descarte coined the phrase I think, therefore, I am.