Malcolm Gladwell’s “Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking” illuminates the concept that the first thought that comes to us – maybe even a snap judgment – often is the best and right choice. The book provides comprehensive detail of getting bogged down in minutia and how decisions made after careful study and deliberation are often clouded by more information instead of clarified.

It doesn’t take much of a stretch to see the connection to golf. As a part-time caddie, I have witnessed first-hand how players talk themselves into bad decisions by over-analyzing details– some might call it paralysis by analysis. In the fairway, this might mean the player is repeatedly tossing grass in an attempt to force themselves to hit more or less club. On the green, it might translate to the player doing a Camilo Villegas-type move in determining line. These types of activities, some might even call them nervous habits, can often serve as a hindrance to making a firm decision based on clear and concise thoughts that lead to lower scoring.

Golfers can certainly undermine their game by leaping to conclusions because of failing to observe some basic, important factors. More often than not, it’s the little things we obsess over that get in the way of our best golf. Timothy Gallwey’s “Inner Game” series discusses Self 1, the part of all of our brains that is constantly active, filling our head with instruction, information – whether we need it or not – and judgments. He compares this to Self 2, the part of us that actually plays the game. Gallwey’s hypothesis states that Self 1, while seemingly helpful, is actually blocking Self 2 from achieving true potential.

Gladwell, author of other best sellers “Outliers” and “The Tipping Point,” wasn’t intending for his book to be a golf instruction manual, but his introductory story on how art experts labeled a statue supposedly dating to the 6th century BC a fake on looking at it for only a few seconds is illustrative.  It might not happen to you that often, but can you think of a time when you were able to visualize the shot you wanted to hit as you approached your ball, took a practice swing with just one swing thought in mind, and then pulled the trigger executing the shot you visualized? Your mind was probably free of the clutter that can so often inhibit your game. You were able to swing freely because Self 1 wasn’t telling Self 2 what to do.

One of the basic tenements of caddieing is that you never tell a player a negative thought in a pre-shot sequence. Bad caddies say, “Don’t go right,” or “If you are long, you bring a water hazard into play.” Instead, an experienced caddies will offer, “Aim at that tree,” or “Play one less club; the front part of the green is a good place to be.” Simple, direct thoughts that keep the door closed on negative thoughts. Tom Watson’s British Open experience is illustrative: the 59-year-old’s original thought was to hit 9-iron into the 18th green in the final round. The 8-iron he ultimately decided to hit rolled over the green and subsequently cost him the championship when he lost in a playoff.

So next time you play, look for clarity and simplicity in your game. Try one swing thought only and no more than one practice swing (or none at all). Focus only on the target and what you want the shot to do. You’ll certainly play faster and you might find yourself playing better as well.

Some instructors might disagree, however, believing that only a comprehensive process and extended pre-shot routine prepares the golfer properly for each shot. Other teachers suggest that the key to putting better is walking around the hole to gather as much information as possible. This opinion points to a notion of golf as a game of acting when ready, instead of reacting to others. Consequently, golfers should hit when ready and only when a mental of physical checklist has been completed.

What do you think?

What is you pre-shot routine?

When reading a putt, does it really help to look at it from all angles?

Do distance measuring devices really help? Or do they fill our heads with information that is too specific and slow down pace?

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