Music and Golf
Have you ever found yourself, in the middle of something you were concentrating on, humming or singing a tune in your head? If you are anything like me, you find yourself with some random tune in your head as you are playing this crazy game.
The first time it happened, I was scared. Wasn’t I supposed to be deep in concentration? This game takes maximum concentration and there I am in the middle of a tournament with Metallica’s version of “Whiskey in a Jar” pounding through my head. What is worse, I hadn’t even heard that song as I was driving to the course, or in the last few days or weeks, for that matter. In fact, I don’t even like that song ha ha. What was wrong with me?
Since then I have had this happen numerous times. Anything from Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, and others have rambled through the ‘ol noggin at, what seems to be, the most inopportune time. Is something wrong with me? If you are experiencing the same thing, is something wrong with you?
Truth is that research is showing that this is very common. During periods of extreme concentration, the mind searches for ways to distract itself from the enormity of the task at hand. Since golf is a sport that demands the mind to focus over and over again, it tends to search for something to distract it. For me, it is music. I will rarely actually sing or hum, but I feel as if the band is playing right there in my head.
In fact, I will have songs tripping through my head while I am actually hitting shots. Frequently, it plays its way into my pre-shot routine. I will stand behind the ball choosing my spot to aim the ball. Tug on my shirt at my shoulders to loosen that area to swing, step into my stance and then BANG! “Gimmie Shelter” kicks in.
Like I said I was scared at first, but I have discovered that not only am I normal, but athletes are using music more and more to influence their performance. Step out on any driving range during a college or junior tournament and you will see it. Watch pre-game football warm-ups and you will see it. Check out any locker room prior to a baseball game and you will see it and, most likely, hear it. Headphones in, and athletes getting into “game mode.”
I typically drive at least 15 minutes to get to my local golf course. Most times, I am going with the intention of playing well. Rarely am I driving to the course to just bat balls and find them again. So I use that time to get focussed. I listen to tunes to get me pumped up, or calmed down if need be.
I use Oasis “Colombia” to get pumped up. In fact, I had that one play for about a year before every round of golf. The beat gets me excited and ready for action. It is not so loud that it overexcites me but is fast and driving enough to get me going. I use Ryan Adams “Everybody Knows” to calm me down if I am excited. Pearl Jam plays alot too. They have fast tunes and slow tunes and Eddie Vedder’s voice is calming.
Next time you have an important round ahead of you, try this. If you feel anxious play some calming music prior to arriving at the golf course. Try up tempo stuff if you feel lethargic or unexcited. Use some tricks to get your mind prepared if you do not already. Pre-round routines are almost as important as pre-shot routines.