The Two Boxes: Mastering Course Strategy and Mental Focus

A golf shot has distinct phases: the planning phase (Strategy) and the execution phase (Athleticism). The most common mistake amateurs make is trying to plan the shot while standing over the ball. To fix this, we use the "Think Box," the "Play Box," and the "Memory Box."

1. The Think Box (Analysis & Decision)

Stand 6 feet behind the ball. This is your office. This is where you are a mathematician and a strategist. You must not leave this box until you are 100% committed.

• Analyze the Variables: Check the lie (flier or buried?), the wind, and the yardage.
• Visualize the Movie: Don't just pick a number. See the ball flight in your mind. Is it high or low? curving left or right?
• Select the Target: Do not aim at "the fairway." Aim at "that specific chimney in the distance." Small target, small miss.

2. The Decision Line

Imagine a physical line on the ground separating your Think Box from the ball. This is your commitment threshold.

• The Rule: Once you cross this line, you are no longer allowed to think about mechanics, wind, or club selection. You are only an athlete.
• The Reset: If a doubt creeps in while you are over the ball (e.g., "Is this the right club?"), you must step back across the line into the Think Box and start over.

3. The Play Box (Athleticism)

Step up to the ball. You are now in "Go Mode."

• External Focus: Stop thinking about your elbows or hips. Focus entirely on the target or a rhythm thought (e.g., "Tick-Tock").
• The Trigger: Use a consistent physical trigger to start the swing (a waggle, a forward press, or a deep breath).
• Swing Freely: Your conscious mind did the work in the Think Box. Now, let your subconscious mind hit the ball.

4. The Memory Box (The Post-Shot Routine)

What you do after the shot determines how you play the next one.

• Good Shot: Anchor it. Replay the feeling of that swing in your mind. Tell yourself, "That is like me."
• Bad Shot: Be neutral. Do not get angry; get curious. "Objectify" the error (e.g., "That face was open") rather than emotionalizing it ("I am an idiot").
• The 10-Yard Rule: You are allowed to be angry for 10 yards of walking. Once you pass that imaginary line, the previous shot no longer exists.

Additional Reading

To master the mental game, we recommend these industry-standard resources:

• How to Use the Think Box (Golf.com): An interview with Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott (creators of Vision54) explaining exactly how to implement the two-box system.
• Golf State of Mind: The Post-Shot Routine: A great guide on how to handle the emotions after the shot so they don't ruin the next one.
• Dr. Bob Rotella's 10 Rules (Golf Digest): A summary of the key principles from the "Golf is Not a Game of Perfect" author, without needing to buy the book.