What Makes A Great Golfer?
Obviously a great golfer is one who knows what they’re doing. But do you know what you’re doing? It sounds too simple really but to be good or great at something you need to be able to apply yourself to the task in hand. However, from my experience of working with golfers, I’ve discovered a high percentage don’t really know what they’re doing. I don’t mean this in the traditional sense as each knew the importance of a good stance, relaxed shoulders and keeping their eye on the ball etc. I’m referring to when it comes down to putting their coaching and understanding of good technique into practice.
 Recommended | For example, Tom (name changed to save his embarrassment) when talking me through his preparation for a swing exclaimed 'he was now relaxing his shoulders', was actually doing nothing of the sort! His shoulders were quite tense and raised at least one inch higher than their natural resting position.
Jane (likewise as above) knew she had to get her stance right before attempting her swing and could easily describe the ideal position; but had no idea that her stance was nothing like it. She had tightened her lower back and hamstrings and had pulled down into an uncomfortable looking posture that never going to allow for a good swing. Unfortunately, because she had done it like this for years, it felt right. I’ve already written about how habits can have a detrimental influence on your swing, see The Perfect Golf Swing, but habits go deep and effect just about everything we do. Once you’ve developed a habit for any technique you will start to lose control of many of the elements of that technique. For instance, Tom had somewhere in his golfing career started to raise his shoulders in preparation for the swing. He had no idea he was doing it now because it felt part of his normal procedure and gave no thought to it at all. If he didn’t know he was doing it, he couldn’t control it. There may be any number of unknown actions that have become a habit you’re bringing into your game. They’re usually totally unnecessary and will ruin a good shot. Your progress to a good or great golfer will be hampered if you're not in full control, or even conscious, of all your actions. |
So when I ask ‘do you know what you’re doing?’ check and see if you’re clenching your jaw, holding your breath, lifting your shoulders or tightening your back. You may think you’re following the coaching manual to the letter whereas in reality you could be doing something completely different.
In my book, Golf Sense, I look at why we develop such habits and how we can unlearn them to gain greater control, so you will know exactly what you're doing :0) For more information please click here. Looking to play great golf in Florida? Check out the best places to play at Orlando golf courses. see more golf articles..... |
