Drew Wallace Q&A Interview
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Read the exclusive interview below with Golf Psychologist Drew Wallace.
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Did you always want to work in the area of Sport Psychology?
Yes. I completed a BSc (Hons) in Psychology at the University of Stirling, focusing on sport whenever possible and then went on to complete an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. It was always my intention to work providing sport psychology support to golfers and I feel that the 5 years of study were necessary to gain enough knowledge on the subject.
Briefly describe a typical working day for you:
I’m a lecturer at the International Institute for Golf Education (IIGE) based at Myerscough College, Preston. My typical day involves lecturing on the topic of sport psychology to our golf students, carrying out research and conducting individual consultancy sessions (as I do with Chris Hanson). I have recently moved into a new position that involves less teaching and more research and consultancy.
Tell us a bit about Drew, the golfer!
I grew up in Scotland playing at Strathaven Golf Club. I was captain of the junior team that won 2 county championships and competed in many top junior events. At university I represented Stirling in a very successful team with members such as Gordon Sherry. Since moving to England I play on the Collegiate tour that we run for our students and many corporate events but am not a member of a club as I spend most of the summer in Scotland.
What are the most common questions you get asked about Golf Psychology from golfers?
I get asked a wide array of questions about golf psychology but below are some the most common:
-How can I stop bottling / gassing / losing my nerve at the end of a good round?
-How can I keep concentration on every shot?
-How can I take my good form from the range to the course?
-What should be in my Pre-shot routine?
-How can I improve my confidence?
-How can I deal with pre-match anxiety?
Are there any quick mental fixes or is improving your mental game something you have to give time?
I often compare improving your mental game to improving your swing. There are some quick tips that might help you with your swing but developing a sound, repeatable swing is about hard work, knowledge and commitment. I believe psychology to be the same. Reading my monthly tips will hopefully get you thinking about your mental game and improve your approach slightly but to really build a sound psychological approach takes the same hard work, knowledge and commitment.
If you could give one piece of advice (in 20 words) to an average golfer looking to improve his game by using mental techniques what would it be?
Think about exactly what you want to happen and exactly how you’re going to do it. Anything else is irrelevant. (20 words exactly!)
Do most Tour Players have their own Psychologist?
Yes most tour players these days work with a sport psychologist. It tends to depend on how high up the ranking they are whether they have one that travels with them or they simply visit one or phone when they have a chance.
You work with Chris Hanson, who also contributes to our website. What are the key areas you work on with Chris?
I have worked with Chris for years since he was a student with us. Throughout this time we have worked on many different areas. The recurring areas that we work on are planning effective practice, pre-shot routine, on course thinking, on / off triggers, goal setting and focusing only on what you can control.
You spent some time in the States teaching kids football, what was that experience like?
My time in Long Island, New York was amazing. Football is the other sport I compete in so it was great working in another country coaching a sport you love. It was great for my development as well as there are so many crossovers between sport psychology and coaching.
Do you think Golf Psychology can help in certain area's more than others. EG: Putting, driving, course management etc...
That’s a tough one. I think the whole game of golf lends itself very well to sport psychology. I don’t think you could say any one part will benefit more than the others. There are sport psychology books and other materials that deal specifically with the metal side of putting so obviously some researchers believe that there is something extra required in that area. I think if you are to get the full benefit of sport psychology you need to apply it to your whole game.
In your first tip that we have published on our website you talk about focus and concentration. Most golfers have difficulty staying in the "Here and Now", they usually think about what has gone on before and what might happen in the rest of their round. How do you help golfers stay in the present?
There are a number of stages to this:
Stage 1: Rationally looking at the problems with looking back or ahead when playing golf.
Stage 2: Highlighting the areas of hitting golf shots that we are in complete control over and committing to focusing on these.
Stage 3: Mastering the skill of cognitive reconstruction which helps you take control of your thought processes (sounds complex but is not).
Stage 4: Using on and off triggers on the course.
Stage 5: Developing a sound and consistent pre-shot routine that focuses attention on appropriate thoughts and actions.
Next month you will be telling us about Pre-Shot Routines and how they can improve your game. Describe your own Pre-Shot routine:
In a pre-shot routine I believe you need to account for what you are thinking every time as well as for what you are physically doing. Here is my routine:
Action: Stand behind ball
Thought: “C’mon let’s pick the shot”
Action: Take proper grip of the club
Thought: Visualise the perfect shot
Action: Set up for practice swing
Thought: “let’s find a good rhythm”
Action: Practice swing
Thought: Pretend to hit the actual shot and picture ball flying and finishing exactly at the intended
target.
Action: Address ball and take smooth deep breath
Thought: Say “commit to the shot” on the out breath
Action: Look at the hole
Thought: Picture perfect shot.
Action: “Let it Rip!”
Tiger Woods is notorious for his strong mind on the golf course. Which other professional golfers impress you by their psychological performance on the course?
It’s hard to answer this definitely without speaking to the players themselves. On the Titleist website some players talk you through their routines. From this I like Brad Faxon’s, Chris Di Marco’s and Ernie Els’s. From watching on TV and seeing him at the tournaments we work on I have been impressed with Luke Donald. In interviews his answers always seem psychologically sound to me and I’m sure this will drive him towards an extremely successful career. All top golfers impress me on most occasions. They have got to the top by working out how to get the best from themselves in all situations (be that on the range or going down the last in The Masters) and that is what I spend my time helping others to do.
Do you think psychology will play a greater role in the teaching of golf in the future or has it peaked?
I don’t think it has peaked but I know what you mean. Compared to 20 years ago Sport Psychology is much more established in golf. There are, however, still many places for it to go in terms of research, support and qualifications related to golf. I think the future is very exciting for golf psychology. The PGA Diploma contains more psychology now than ever before.
Have you ever worked on anybody who has had the yips?
I’m not sure I have. I have definitely worked with golfers who were experiencing the chipping equivalent. These players need to work on relaxing their muscles and focusing their attention solely on what they are trying to achieve. In order to improve you have to care less. This seems a strange concept but in golf, trying too hard can definitely have negative consequences. I often work with golfers to encourage them to put golf into perspective. Hitting a bad golf shot is not really a very big problem in the context of the world or even your life. If you approach a golf shot as if it is the most important thing in the world it is not surprising that you don’t make a smooth relaxed swing.
Drew will kindly be providing a column on a wide range of golf psychology subjects throughout 2007 and in the future. Click the link below to go the first in the series about improving your Focus and Concentration:
Mental Golf Tip #1 - Focus and Concentration
