🎯 Internal vs External Focus — and Why “Always External” Is a Myth
Everyone says, “Focus on the target, not your body.” But that’s only half true.
External focus means attention on what happens outside the body — the ball flight, the clubhead, the target line.
Internal focus means attention on you — your feel, rhythm, or motion.
The problem? Most studies make internal focus look bad by using robotic cues like “extend your arms rapidly.”Nobody plays golf that way.
Here’s the nuance: there are two kinds of internal.
Control – consciously steering every part (clunky).
Awareness – sensing, not forcing (fluid).
When internal = awareness, the “external is always better” myth falls apart.
The best players blend both — they might start with the line (external), then shift into stroke feel (internal awareness) right before impact.
Training tip:
Start with technique (yes, internal).
Progress to awareness (feel it, don’t force it).
Add targets and goals so practice looks like play.
Avoid “don’t” goals. Saying “don’t miss left” creates conflict — like tracing clockwise and counterclockwise at the same time. Messy motion, messy strikes.
Mike’s take: Match cues to the player. Some thrive on external, others on awareness, most need a blend.
💡 Practical coaching keys:
Build an Attention Plan: evaluate, decide, rehearse, execute, reflect.
Use Blind or Net reps to train feel without chasing ball flight.
Keep “make it” as your goal on putts; grade the leave if it doesn’t drop.
Add pressure reps — shot clocks, night practice, or quick warm-ups to simulate chaos.
The real game isn’t just where you look — it’s what you choose to notice.
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