I was tempted to take a week off. But I can’t get along without my “golf fix.” Exciting news this week.
Henry Boulton and Focus Band Marathon
The Focus Band has “come of age”. We bought into Henry Boulton’s vision over two years ago. John Ruark pioneered Focus Band for the Golf Lab in Northern California – introducing dozens of players to performance training – acquiring a handful of “True Believers” in the process.
I joined Henry and John in Monterrey last Sunday. We planned a few quiet hours to get acquainted with the next version of Focus Band software.
I arrived at 3 PM. I was amazed at the progress Henry made with the software. At 6 PM I booked a room at the Pine Needles Inn. I talked with Henry and John until the wee hours and returned the next morning. It’s been years since I stayed up half the night talking about anything. It was that exciting. The new version of Focus Band software is “understandable” for ordinary golfers.
I’ve known very good technologists. Henry demonstrated surprising breadth of knowledge from swing theory to software development. He is both the technique theorist and the programmer – a unique combination of skills and knowledge. He has all the necessary experience and qualifications to invent a breakthrough product. I predict he will be recognized as a star. The Focus Band could be the most important new idea in golf.
The biggest breakthrough is that the Focus Band is now accessible to ordinary golfers. Cutting edge thinking about “performance training” – developed by Eric Jones and Glen Albaugh – is that beginning players will progress much faster if they learn the concepts of Performance Training.
The Golf Lab “Donate your Brain to Science” Program introduces the concepts behind Performance Training. All participants test the Focus Band with their own pre-performance routine.
New Version Overview
Forget the interlaced graphs from prior versions. If you’ve worked with Focus Band, you know what I mean. If not, you haven’t missed anything.
The new version of Focus Band software integrates video with your own friendly face.
You stand in front of the camera, you blink, your friendly face blinks. (The technical term for your friendly face is your “Avatar”).
You clench your teeth, your friendly face shades pink indicating tension.
You talk and your Avatar’s left brain lobe turns red. That shows you’re thinking – not what you want when you play a shot.
A brief training routine builds a player’s ability to focus on the target and prepare to “get in the zone”. Focus on a single dimple on the ball and your right brain lobe turns deep blue. You’re in the “zone” and ready to trust your stroke.
Your Avatar looks alive. With software, it’s comforting when the feedback is believable. The new Focus Band software has no obvious flaws.
The breakthrough is the complete integration of video with the visual feedback. A player can record and replay his entire pre-performance routine with real time feedback from the Avatar presented side by side on the screen. The precise moment of an interruption in the players routine can be identified.
Your goal is to eliminate conscious thought from your pre-performance routine. The Focus Band helps you to do that.
Introduction to Focus Band – Clinic and Workshop – Next Week Only
John Ruark is one of the most accomplished Focus Band practitioners – second only to Henry Boulton himself – on the face of the earth.
Our next major goal is to continue to work with Henry and his father – Graham – to expand the vision of their “Athlete Performance System” to the US.
The program starts with a 2.5 hour clinic that introduces the concepts behind performance training to a maximum of 3 players. (It is very effective for three playing partners to book the same session.)
Proven concepts in visualization and focus are presented.
Every player tests his pre-performance routine with the Focus Band.
In Australia, the cost of the Clinic is $295 per player. For the next two weeks, Golf Lab clients can book the “Focus Band Clinic” for just $100 per player.
Focus Band Clinics:
Friday, July 6 – 3-6 PM.
Saturday, July 7 – 9:30 – 12:30 PM.
Saturday, July 7 – 1-2:30 PM.
Saturday, July 7 – 3-6 PM.
Private Focus Band Workshops
My personal experience was enlightening. I did a good job of getting into the zone in my pre-performance routine for putting. Nice blue brain lobe right up until my eyes came back to the ball and I prepared to make my stroke. Bright red!!
Egad!!
After a brief coaching period to introduce a specific procedure for focusing on the target but maintaining awareness of surroundings I was able to master the technique in less than an hour of practice.
My point is that this might not be difficult for you. John Ruark has agreed to stay over tonight just in case some Golf Lab clients might want to book a last minute session on Saturday. Just $100 for a private hour. Two players can split the time.
How’s that for a little excitement for your weekend?
Regards,
Leith Anderson and the Golf Lab Gang – JR, Bob P, Clint, JT, Dian, Joel