Don’t let the ball be the master
What does that mean? If you spend your time evaluating each shot
when you are practicing, you will end up tinkering with your swing
after every shot. When I give a lesson, my students have a model of
what I want them to do at the end; it’s either me making a swing or
them doing a drill that will make the improvement we are trying to
make. This will be on their video that they can view as often as
they like. Once my students begin to match their model we will
begin to use the ball flight to trouble shoot the swing. But we
only work on one thing at a time.
Don’t let the ball be the master
What does that mean? If you spend your time evaluating each shot when you are practicing, you will end up tinkering with your swing after every shot. When I give a lesson, my students have a model of what I want them to do at the end; it’s either me making a swing or them doing a drill that will make the improvement we are trying to make. This will be on their video that they can view as often as they like. Once my students begin to match their model we will begin to use the ball flight to trouble shoot the swing. But we only work on one thing at a time.
Johns Hopkins University did a study in which it found that it isn’t enough just to practice a new skill; you have to give your brain time to encode the new information. For about six hours after you learn a motor skill, there is a period of time that you will erase that new skill if you try to learn another skill on top of it. And remember, you don’t learn a new skill after a couple of practice sessions; it takes time.
Once my students have mastered their new skill, we are on the road to playing better golf, and better golf means you are the master because you can make the ball go where you need it to go most of the time. Tiger Woods is the best master there is right now, but on occasion he plays his second shot from two fairways over.
Have any golf related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at sk*****@ea**********.com. If you would like to read some of my past tips, you can do so at www.pinnaclenews.com. And don’t forget, if you’re not having fun playing golf call your local PGA or LPGA instructor, we will help. Golf is more fun when you’re improving. Don’t be afraid to be good.
