Hi Andy! Thanks for reaching out and great work with your training so far. You bring up a great few questions and we are happy to help! One thing that can be easily misinterpreted by Tathata students is how to compartmentalize the training. As you build these movements into your golf swing it is so easy to “think positions” or “think movements” vs. “play golf” from your heart center. That being said there is nothing wrong with thinking about the movements when you’re playing, but as you continue to train there will come a time when the movements themselves will no longer be a conscious “thought” if you choose it to be. As you continue to train the movements they will seamlessly become a part of you and your motion. Quoting Jack Nicklaus, “all I want to do is get the energy right.” If we put more focus and intention towards getting “the energy” right, like a child on Christmas morning, the movements themselves and your overall golf game will improve without making it difficult and about positions of the hands, arms, golf club. Of course we need to train and of course we need quality mechanics to strike a golf ball correctly, but the essence of Tathata Training is in the energy of greatness out in front. If we can expect that for whatever reason the next moment might be better than it’s ever been before, then you can expect your mechanics to follow that energy. Now as it relates to your thoughts about being “stuck” with the hands and arms. In martial arts the words “stuck” or “arms behind me” would never be found. In golf these words or thoughts only exist because we do not understand pressure. As you build these movements know that it is the pressure that holds these movements together and keeps the golf club in front of the body (pressure building from our center moving out into the limbs and body). The “sword” in martial arts would never “float” or “get stuck” because it is pressurized to move with the body. That being said in golf we expect to move a golf club 40, 50, 60, even 100 mph! Can you imagine moving a sword 100 mph day 1 without understanding pressure? There is a reality in martial arts that to move any implement that fast takes some training and serious understanding of pressure. We would encourage you to use the training as your time for analytical thought “i.e. mechanics” and use your time on the golf course or driving range as your time for practicing “Andy’s greatness” or “Andy’s energy.” Give it a try and see what you think, you can always reach out to us for continued support on your path! Have a wonderful day Andy!

Hey Andy. Great to hear about your own martial arts back ground and progress with Tathata Golf and your own game. I identify with some of the shot outcomes you describe. Currently I am focusing on small simple movements by chipping a ball from my slow at and onto my sofa about 2-3 meters away. I have three cushions close together and I’m trying to hit the middle one. With just a small takeaway and downward pressure and a deliberate surf action, a little pressure and a small thrust at impact I’m getting the feeling and outcome I’m after from the course. I’m taking that to the garden and increasing the distance. As I get that feeling I go to the course and repeat the above two exercises and then add a stock 9 or 8 or 7 with the same feeling as the chip onto the sofa but just increase the ‘ingredients’. I’m finding this is working for me as the surf to level is not a natural body movement for me to use to initiate the swing. Hope that helps. Good Luck with your Journey.

Thanks Tathata Team for sharing…

Lee (UK – Sussex)