Category: Sully

“Sully” – Redux

On By scottpetersenIn SullyLeave a comment

In response to my post “Sully” and the influential swing thought that I derived from it (“HEAD DOWN – STAY DOWN“), a friend suggested a scenario where that imperative might be ignored.

A very angry and discouraged golfer, having played 18 horrible holes, at the end of the round looked over at his caddie and pointed to the water hazard and said “I think I’m going to drown myself in that pond.” To which his caddie replied, “Sir, that would be great – but do you think that you can keep your head down long enough?” 

The angry golfer looked at the caddie and snarled “you must be the worst caddie in the world” to which the caddie replied “no sir – that would be too much of a coincidence. . . . ”

“Sully”

On By scottpetersenIn Head Down - Stay Down, Sully1 Comment

I like to golf. I’m okay at it. Not great.  I play a few times a week in the summer and shoulder seasons. I have a 18 index that (I think) is moving down.   My attitude on any given day can affect my game.  The reason is — golf is 65% mental. And 35% mental. . . . .

In days past, I used to have a dozen swing thoughts that would spiral and pulse through my small brain as I addressed the ball, raised the club and brought it down for an imperfect “whack” on my Pro V-1. Yet on any given stroke, I might forget half of the most important swing thoughts (slow back, hands tight, right elbow in . . . .). These days, however, I have pared down my swing thoughts to a single mandate. I have Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger to thank for it.

Have you ever seen the movie “Sully”? If not, watch the trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjKEXxO2KNE It will explain – in an “ahaaa” moment – the origin of my swing thought.

When Captain Sullenberger realizes that he cannot make it to LaGuardia or Teterboro Airports – he knows he will have to “land” in the Hudson River. He takes his microphone and announces over the loudspeaker the iconic words – “Brace for Impact.” At that point, the flight attendants begin yelling – what is etched into my mind as I address the ball. . . .

“HEAD DOWN – STAY DOWN!” In short, I try to keep my head stationary – and down – as I swing and follow through. That directive usually works. Though sometimes the swing thought disappears and my mind becomes a tabula rasa (blank slate) as I’m swinging down. And I will immediately look up (often before I hit the ball) and want to see where the ball is going. And you can guess what happens then . . . . .