Ok, genius…. Then why, oh why, do all the best ball-strikers in the world choose to control their ball by playing a fade? A fade flies higher, lands softer, spins more, IS more controllable, and as discussed in your last article – falls above the Plane. So, how do you explain what appears to be two divergent statements with one point, which is to hit a fade for control?

My answer is that the context is what matters in discriminating the difference. Because movement does not create anything due to its incidental nature, it cannot take responsibility for controlling anything, including a golf shot. Therefore, we cannot even put the two ideas, movement and control, in the same sentence. Most instructors talk about movement as if a golf shot, intentional or not, is created by movement. It isn’t, as I will explain.

We have to back away from the act of striking a golf ball to discover where the action originates. We have to acknowledge that the golfer seeks to perfectly express their consciousness, which also includes their subconscious, with every swing. We need to recognize the progression of events that lead to impact to understand not only that movement is incidental, but that control is gained before movement occurs. Finally, we need to agree that no matter how impressive the individual or special “their” swing is, the Laws of Physics apply equally to everyone.

The golfer’s conscious mind has the power to focus the subconscious intention. If properly cultivated in Philosophy, the golfer is able to shake off the limits to efficient thinking and movement born of that clarity. It’s not important, therefore, that all the best ball-strikers in the world choose to hit a fade. It’s only important that they intend to hit a fade, and don’t give up until they can express that intention at will.

Now for the control part…. Cogito ergo sum. I think, therefore, I am. This Latin existentialist phrase was an early hint at the mind drives our consciousness, and therefore, our existence. I think the point here is that everything that defines us as individuals begins in the conscious mind. Everything that defines human potential begins in the unconscious or, as Carl Jung described it, “The Collective Unconscious”. Deepak Chopra may say something like “The Non-Local Intelligence”. The others may call this source God.

So, if we tap into the universality of potential ways to swing a golf club for control of our golf ball, do we wing it and assume we are the end all, be all? Or, do we pay attention to those great icons who have gone before and copy their thoughts, recognizing a certain wisdom in it? Standing on the shoulders of giants like Newton, Tesla, daVinci, Trevino, Hogan, et.al., we have made our decisions and chosen our course of action. Copying a thought is safe, after all. One can always claim it came to them in a dream. We’ve done it forever. We continue to do it because there continues to be wisdom in it.

Following examples of efficiency or proficiency doesn’t diminish us. It helps us to resonate in harmony with the universe. This conscious decision falls within the limits of reason and existence, and it begins before any movement ever expressed our idea, whether focused by Philosophy or not. If the intention is focused, the movement becomes refined. If unfocused, the movement remains elusive. Either way, control begins before we even draw the club back.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy