Before we get into that let’s look at some popular myths that prevail among club golfers and try to demystify them:
· Your shooting skills improve as you practice more.
· Swing analysis is incredibly useful.
· Through the initial stages, coaching sessions are crucial.
· He fixed my slice in just fifteen minutes, proving to be an excellent coach.
Let’s dispel the first myth first.
Does more practice at the range make you a better player?
No, if hitting 200 balls off a range every day could raise a golfer’s score, then a lot more of us would have competed in each season. What else could it be if shooting an absurd amount of balls at the range?
John Paul Newport, editor Golf Journal, The Wall Street Journal, has this to say to the feeling many get after spending a whole lot of time at the range, that they are ready for the course, “Science has a term for this lofty state, but regrettably it is not “in the flow” or “in the zone.” It’s the “illusion of competence… “
You could, for example, combine it with visualization in place of mindlessly firing balls at the range. The fundamentals of a good swing and its “feel” can be ingrained in your system using this method. And once embedded, you can typically duplicate it while shooting.
The other thing is that you hit the same shot repeatedly at the range until you start to believe you’ve pretty much nailed it. The reality, however, is that you only have one chance to get it right on the course. The range is working for you if your range practice is enabling you to achieve that.
Questions you need to ask yourself
Given the time constraints that club golfers in general face, splitting the time between the range and effective visualization can yield some significant benefits. If a 15-minute window is available, the latter can be practiced anywhere, including at home, the office, while commuting, or even while traveling.
The inability of players to improve their skills is one of the factors that contributed to golf’s decline in the US between 2003 and 2016. The truth is that every time you perform below your standards (or above your handicap), you run the risk of losing some interest. The opposite is also true.
Consequently, ponder these issues. Am I dropping too many balls? Will I swim in the lake? Am I dropping too many contests? Do I ever have the feeling that I might slice, hook, duff, or top the ball when I approach it?
If the majority of the responses are “yes,” it’s time to improve your strategy. Once that occurs, I promise you’ll start enjoying your game of golf much more than you do right now.
The following time, we’ll investigate the other myths. Till then!
Happy Golfing!