GOLF IS DIFFICULT -
we all know that. The swing is very dynamic with
all its mechanics, the short game is demanding with
its variation and then there is the difficulty of
taking what we do on the range out to the golf course.
I often tell my students that most golfers are not
improving as they should be. Yes, there are those
who are getting better on their own, but those without
guidance are usually stagnant in their learning
or even receding in their development. Why is this?
It is mostly because golfers suffer by not breaking
through "barriers" - a term we use frequently
at the PGA Tour Golf Academy. There are three prominent
barriers you've likely encountered.
Time
There is no question that one of the biggest barriers
is time. A large percentage of golfers have unrealistic
expectations for improvement in the time frame
they have given themselves to improve. Often,
this gap between your expectation level and practice
time is enormous. To overcome the barrier, you
have to be realistic with your goals and the amount
of time you have to achieve them. Doing this will
increase your enjoyment level as more goals are
reached and frustration lessens.
I've had golfers literally expect to shave eight
strokes off their handicap in one lesson. I remember
one student who was serious about the improvement
in such a short time, even though I had a heart-to-heart
conversation with him to let him know this wasn't
likely to happen. I would be surprised if this
man is still playing golf today because of his
frustrating expectation level.
Every
Golfer Is A Teacher
At some point in your golf experience, a fellow
player has tried to help you out with your swing
by offering some advice. Even the guy you don't
know on the range is likely to give you some suggestions
from time to time. It's amazing how often these
quick tips work out for a little bit and then
quickly fizzle out.
While these free tips may have come from reliable
sources, they may not be for you or your particular
problems. It is important to receive specific
instruction to better your own game. Otherwise,
you'll face another barrier that must be overcome.
The
Same Swing Brings The Same Results
This is perhaps the most common barrier among
amateurs, as many golfers believe that the more
they knock around golf balls at the range, the
more likely they are to hone their current swing
into something special. This may be true to an
extent, but eventually a leveling off point occurs
when you need some professional help.
Learn the difference between "hitting balls"
and "working on your swing." Remember,
if you do the same thing over and over but expect
different results, that is the clinical definition
of insanity. You definitely don't want this barrier
to be part of your game.
While you have to be careful with these three
barriers, there are definitely more traps out
there. To avoid them, try to make the game as
enjoyable as possible. This means having correct
and specific information to better your game.
Also, don't be the player who thinks he should
shoot a 72 in no time. This mentality will only
lead to more disappointment than satisfaction.
So narrow the gap and get your goals in line with
reality.
Finally, when you practice, make sure you are
working on something. Get specific help for your
game and watch out for the crazy characters on
the range who give you their two cents.
