So these are all swing thoughts. So the question Gilbert is do you mean wander as in filling our head with these thoughts or thinking about other things besides these? :-)

Looks about right.

I play my best golf when i let my mind wander. But I suspect my meaning is different than yours. As I walk to the ball I zone out. I look at the clouds, trees, grass etc. I totally disengage. Then I start to focus as I pull the club from the bag. I don't take a practice swing unless it is a finesse shot inside of 70 yards. Otherwise I take aim and swing knowing that no matter the outcome I can always get up and down. Knowing that gives me the ability to play care free.

Lesson...focus when you have to and learn how to chip:)

Well I'm assuming you're asking a serious question, not just posting the pic I've seen over and over on this site.

My mind is clearest when I'm playing a tournament. I get amped up and in the moment when play a competitive round, and I'm mentally unable to think about anything else because my mental game is sharpest when I'm not just playing for fun. When I am playing for fun, it depends. Do I have something going on with school or work later? Are there any girls that I have in mind? Is it excessively hot or cold? Stuff like that. My mind's clearer when it's a long weekend, the weather is good, and I just don't have anything off the golf course to worry about.

Gosh I hope my mind never stops wandering.

Just wait till you get old like some of us. Then you will have to take those practice swings just to help you remember what the hell you are supposed to do during your swing. I'm just sayin'.......... lol.

My mind wandered off a long time ago and frankly when it comes to golf I have not missed it much. Truthfully though, My only swing thought and I have said this before is my target. When I step up to the ball, get into my set up all I do is get a strong picture of my target and think of nothing else. Then I just go. Works most of the time. I dont even see the ball, just my target.

I meant absolutely nothing with this posting. I simply found it hilarious. I do have a routine that I always use. I stand behind the ball. pick an intermediate target just in front of my ball, I take a couple of practice swings, I stand to the ball, aim the club, adjust my stance to the club face, check my posture and from there it's pretty much automatic.

Unless I am playing a finesse shot, the practice swings are just to loosen me up so that I don't get tight or nervous. I do have a very good short game most of the time. Yesterday I felt like the picture above on my front nine (45) and played super good on the back nine (38). I mean super good in terms of my short game. I got the ball up and down seven out of eight times on the back. And before anyone asks; I never touch my ball once it's in play and I always play the ball down unless it's been raining and the fairways are puddled.

By "play the ball down" are you referring to the ball position in your stance? Thanks

SL

I believe he is referring to leaving it as you find it and not rolling it or improving the lie in any way. Lift clean and place is used when the conditions are extremely wet or muddy.

When I played my best rounds of golf, I was relaxed but focused with the shot in front of me.
I was not thinking anything regarding the swing but to make sure I take the golf club back ( no hurried and shortened back swing ), then swing the club head through the golf ball down the target line before coming up.
I seemed to have tunnel vision when I address the golf ball, nothing bothers me but just think of the getting the golf ball to the target.

Overwhelmed by swing thoughts ? Only when I have doubt of my own swing, or was practicing on something new. If you have a grooved in golf swing, then you shouldn't have all those thoughts when you are on the golf course.

One instructor told me long time ago, if I must, have only one or two swing thoughts taken to the golf course when I was trying out on something new. If you try to have more than a couple of simple swing thoughts while you are addressing the golf ball, you are doomed for disaster !

My mind is always clear!

Oh my mind would be clear on what I would want to do but it wouldn't involve hitting a little white ball,after being around those young ladies.

It is until I address the ball. As soon as I l ground the club to get in my stance this horrible image of Shooter McGavin kissing my grandmother flashes in front of my eyes. Quite a distraction.

By "play the ball down" are you referring to the ball position in your stance? Thanks

SL