In the context of this passage, "subtle" is synonymous to the word "imaginary".
Subtle hands - putting
- The next time you have to make a putt, crouch and pretend to feel the texture of the surface with your flattened palms. Now, leaving your hands in place, move your subtle hands an inch forwards an inch forward and pretend to feel the grass with them. Next, move your subtle hands back into alignment with your physical hands. Then have them go out again, only a bit farther this time. Do this repeatedly (a practice green is recommended, naturally, since you can't usually take as much time as needed for this exercise during a round). Even practicing on your front lawn is good.
The object is to trust your subtle hands enough that they can feel the putting surface the way you can feel the fuzz of a peach. Starting with a few inches, some players eventually fins themselves able to feel the whole distance of the putt. Combined with a good visual read, your sense of subtle touch will add to your ability to asses distance and direction in one smooth moment.
Subtle body - swing
- Take your stance and swing with your favorite driver just as you would in taking a practice swing before teeing off. Experience the swing as natural and comfortable. Feel what it's like when the club head hits the ball square. Do this a few times, then take your swing with your subtle body only, leaving the club at address.
Put as much power into the subtle swing as you would if the club actually moved. Use touch and sight together, but mainly touch. Feel yourself gripping the club and driving its weight around into a complete follow-through. Hold the pose at the end until you can feel the weight of the club head. Repeat this exercise, first with a physical swing, then a subtle swing. Try swinging then together, then separating them again. Almost anyone can feel his or her subtle swing the first time out, and as you get good at it, you will be able to align your subtle swing with your real swing much better.
"When insight is added to sight, you double your game."
