Developing A Conversion Mindset

Converting Is Your Priority

Stephen D. Simmons Editor and Publisher - StrategicGolfer Instruction Series

You are at the short game practice area.  You decide to practice chip shots using a 7 iron.  You hit the first chip shot and the ball ends up 6 feet short of the hole.  After adjustments, you hit the second chip shot and it ends up 6 feet past the hole.  Chip shot 3 is close. Then chip shot 4 ends up 5 feet short of the hole.  Another adjustment and shots 5 and 6 are within 2 feet feet of the hole.  After the sixth ball you move on to other shots.

 

Question: 

                                "How Effective Is This Form Of Practice?" 

Answer:  Not as effective as learning how to convert your chip shots in practice.  This form of practice is good to learn the basics of a chip shot and trying to develop feel and judgement.  While feel and judgement are important in all aspects of golf, your ability to convert shots is much more significant.

The reason is that developing feel and judgement keep you in mechanical mode.  In this mode you focus on technique, solid contact, trajectory, distance,  and feel.  All of these are important to your development as a golfer.  In order to develop as a "player" you must take these skills and learn to convert shots into lower scores.

"You Must Practice With A Conversion Mindset"

The conversion mindset is developed by picking very specific targets, hitting a shot, and then attempting the conversion.  In the short game skills, a conversion is one putt.  This mindset is required for all chip shots, pitch shots, sand shots, and putts.

This practice sets the stage for switching the mind from mechanical mode to trusting mode.  Trusting mode could be called scoring mode.  The thing that will help you become more consistent in your ability to score is your pre-shot routine.  The pre-shot routine is the bridge between mechanics and trust.

Conversions Equal Confidence

You will find that conversion practice will increase your confidence.  Conversion practice is equivalent to playing the game for real.  You pick targets, go thru your routine, and hit shots with 100% "intent".  Intention is the fuel for greatness.

As you convert more shots and get better at these skills your confidence will improve…"it has to".  Your mind will remember all of the conversions you made in practice and then you can rely on these memories to help you when you are on the course.  Your self talk will become, "I can do this…I’ve done it many times in practice".

Conversion Practice

Conversion practice in the short game area is done by hitting only one shot to each target and then attempting the conversion.  You can use the same club to different targets or change clubs as the targets change.  Variety will improve your ability to visualize because you will have to see a variety of shots with each club.  Keep score when you do this practice.  Set goals and then work towards your goal.

Conversion practice on the practice putting green is similar but you are only using your putter.  The two ways you can do this practice are to use one ball and hit to one hole location at a time or drop three balls and hit to three different hole locations.  It is critical that you go thru your exact routine during this practice.  You want to read the grain and slope of the putt.  Bridge into your routine and try to make the putt using 100% intention.  If you miss the putt then try to make the second putt regardless of it’s length.  You don’t get gimmies in tournaments so make everything.  When it comes time to make that two footer with the pressure on you will be ready.

Try to incorporate "conversion practice" into every one of your practice sessions even if you only do it for a few minutes. The more conversions you make the lower your scores will be.  This type of practice is critical to your development as a "player".