There is a different way of fixing your swing. Instead of searching for the quick fix or that magical tip, let the technique find you.
And you do this by playing the game – choose a target, relax and whack that ball. It sounds a little radical but when you’re playing golf you’re actually working on your swing anyway. But, and this is important, you’re also maximising your chances of playing your best (read: shooting the lowest score possible).
When you’re continually in a thinking/worrying/fixing mindset you give your system no chance of performing at its peak. You’ll get a mix bag of results and most of it bad. If your game is inconsistent then I can almost guarantee you’re not really 100% committed to swinging the sticks.
Letting go and playing the game is a huge step for most – but you’ve really got no other option if score is important to you. Take a deep breath, relax, get clear on your intention and let rip. You’ll surprise yourself with what finds you. Letting your ideal golf technique find you is way quicker than the alternative.
8 Comments
Andrew
December 4, 2012Your last 2 posts have really hit home about awareness and paying attention to internal feedback.
I am reading another golf book, I think I have some belief that buy reading golf books I will become a better golfer maybe a topic for another post. But after reading the following section I had an aha moment because of all the background information read on this website.
It’s important during experimentation for the teacher to withhold feedback, so the player can attend to internal feedback (instructor get out of the way so the student can learn).
The player can gain a wealth of knowledge by paying attention to this internal feedback. However players do not take advantage of this information. It is usually ignored in favour of any external feedback that may come from a coach. It is critical that golfers practice accessing this internal feedback so it becomes an automatic process. The wisdom to hit good golf shots resides within each golfer and not in the heads of their instructor.
The Chipmaster Pro looks like a great learning tool, I am about to order one, do you think it could be used to provide feedback on full shots as well.
Cameron
December 4, 2012Andrew: I don’t read a lot of golf books anymore – hardly ever read a magazine (actually threw out a 100 or so the other day). You’ll get the best results by getting outside and playing the game. By all means read – but you still have to swing the sticks 🙂
Too many coaches talk too much. It’s not about the coach. And when you give the student time to learn, magic can happen. The coach also has to be careful with feedback – the wrong kind or too much can have a detrimental affect.
Chip Master – not ideal for full shots. I have played around with it a lot and love it. Works so well for the chipping and pitch shots – awesome for learning a lob shot. But you have to be careful with extra power. Hitting the lip will give you a serious jolt – it may hurt! So I can’t recommend it. I am looking at doing another version for the full swing. Had a good player (10 handicapper) tell me I have changed his game for the better – he thought he needed to take a divot before the ball. I couldn’t believe it.
Thanks for sharing.
Grayden Provis
December 4, 2012Post this on your average golf forum and no-one will comment. Post something about rolling your wrists and 1,000 people will have something to say.
Cameron
December 4, 2012GP: I don’t like forums for that reason. There’s a tonne of noise and not sure what good they really do. Everyone seems like an expert…
I’m much happier writing stuff that suits me. I’m no longer trying to please anyone or trying to attract a huge crowd. I figure this will attract a certain golfer who can connect with the info. From here it’s a much better relationship.
Mike Divot
December 5, 2012People on your average golf forum aren’t as interested in learning and improvement as they are in showing off their knowledge of the golf swing.
Typical post: “critique my swing, tell me what I am doing wrong”. Translation: “here is my opening foray into a discussion of fine technical details of the swing. Ahhhhhh. Bring me my cigars and a brandy.”
Cameron
December 5, 2012Mike: Here’s my take. When someone asks for a critique what they are really after is the magic formula. They believe if they’re told what is wrong they’ll be able to fix it. I’ll yell till I’m blue in the face that just “knowing” is not enough. Improvement and success go way deeper than standard swing instruction.
The Internet is one of the world’s greatest tools. It’s also dangerous for the average golfer. There is so much information and so many willing to share their knowledge, that it’s a bit like a minefield. As golfers, we really need to stand up and listen to our gut and not forget that playing the game will always be most important.
Cam280
December 5, 2012The absent minded golfer walked,
he swung a stick, he walked some more,
at times he thought about where he wanted his ball to go,
but mostly he thought about numbers.
Troy Vayanos
December 5, 2012Spot on Cameron,
There’s no doubt golfers spend too much time worrying about technique. You can see this in their practice swings where they are continually pausing and trying to understand where everything is.
My advise is always to pick a target and focus on hitting that target.
The golf score will take care of itself.
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