Even the best golfers in the world have felt frustrated after hitting practice range shots that resembled laser beams only to slice their opening tee shot out of bounds.
What takes place during the ten minute stroll from the practice range to the first tee?
It’s as if some inner voice says: “who do you think you are. You need to return to reality because you’re not that good.”
Let’s look more closely at the factors that contribute to the discrepancy between practice and play in golf.
Golfers are constantly assessing the mechanics of their swings wherever there is a driving range. The underlying assumption is that flawless execution of technique will produce flawless outcomes.
Ever watch your swing in slow motion? When they first see their swing, the majority of my students are shocked (if not horrified). They have a propensity to believe that having perfect form is what makes their best shots.
The idea that you can consciously control your swing is one of the biggest myths among once-a-week golfers. Although you can work on mechanics during practice, your best shots come when you concentrate on a particular feel.
Golf is referred to as the “ultimate game of feel,” but the majority of instruction is focused on finding and fixing mistakes. The implication is that ideal feel comes from flawless technique. In reality, the exact opposite is true.
The (unconscious) belief in the relationship between technique and results, is the biggest roadblock to improvement for the “amateur” golfer, who simply wants to be more consistent.
The result of diligent practice and expert instruction is mastering the subtleties of proper technique. The once-weekly golfer has little chance of keeping up with the best players in the world in this regard.
But anyone who plays golf can learn how to improve their sense of touch. The first step is awareness; learn how to “think” in terms of feel.
Is it possible to “keep your head down” and still hit a poor shot? The solution is crystal clear. Do you know a golfer with perfect technique who has trouble consistently breaking 90?
On the practice range, where there are no time restrictions, no trees, water, or sand, and only perfect grass, it is simple to concentrate on mechanics. On the golf course, maintaining this mindset is a recipe for disaster.
How do you translate your results from the driving range to the golf course? Instead of focusing on swing flaws, pay attention to how you feel. To capture the mood, keep a notepad with you and jot down short phrases.
You have the talent if you’ve ever made a flawless shot. All you need is the recipe to “forget” swing mechanics for one-and-a-half seconds and just hit the damn ball!