What is the best approach to learning golf? Error correction.
Check out this video. Thanks, Steven
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Have you really lost your swing?
"I have lost my swing" is a statement that sometimes comes my way as a golf instructor. When looking back at video from previous lessons compared to the current "lost" swing, I don't see a lot of differences. In fact, the swing looks pretty identical to the previous swings which "worked." So what is "it" that is lost? My theory is set up.
When practicing, pay attention to the set up which produces the best results. Pay attention to your balance points, ball position and how you aim. You can even test different set up positions to understand what types of ball flights you get: for example (a) ball forward/back (b) aim more right or left (c) balance points on your toes/heels/middle. The more you understand how different set up positions affect your ball flight, the easier self correction becomes.
You probably didn't lose your swing, you just don't understand your set up well enough to know what swing it produces. Here are two completely different set up positions which produce different swings.
When practicing, pay attention to the set up which produces the best results. Pay attention to your balance points, ball position and how you aim. You can even test different set up positions to understand what types of ball flights you get: for example (a) ball forward/back (b) aim more right or left (c) balance points on your toes/heels/middle. The more you understand how different set up positions affect your ball flight, the easier self correction becomes.
You probably didn't lose your swing, you just don't understand your set up well enough to know what swing it produces. Here are two completely different set up positions which produce different swings.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Chipping and self discovery
One of the more important aspects of learning is self discovery. If the player knows what the goal is, like hitting the ball higher with less roll or lower with more spin, he/she should include different ways to discover how to achieve these shots. The player will then "own" the information if he/she found it without having a professional to give a check-list of "how to" items to hit the ball.
Below is a short little video about using the same swing and experimenting with different "lead" wrist positions to give different ball flights. Watch the film and then experiment for yourself which works best for each situation.
Thanks for reading and good luck with your self discovery!
Steven
Below is a short little video about using the same swing and experimenting with different "lead" wrist positions to give different ball flights. Watch the film and then experiment for yourself which works best for each situation.
Thanks for reading and good luck with your self discovery!
Steven
Friday, June 3, 2011
Don't overcoach your junior golfers!
Having worked as a golf coach for 12 years and being a father of 2 kids, I believe that I am qualified to write this blog post.
Far too often, I talk to parents who tell me that little junior won't listen to them, so it is better that they take lessons from me. As I agree with the lessons part, I often wonder what goes on between the dynamic between parent and child. I see it on the range daily...parents giving their kids a checklist of how to swing a golf club ”(1) keep your eye on the ball (2) remember to aim (3) don't forget to follow through (4) you looked up on that last one, so keep that head down (5) come on...concentrate on what you are doing (6) stop goofing off, etc......” Wow. I am not sure that I would want to play either.
So my advice. Leave them alone. Let them hit indifferent shots. Don't define what is good or bad. Stop judging your kids. All in all, don't overcoach them.
Remember when your little ones where just learning how to walk? Often times, they looked at you and decided that crawling was OUT, and walking is IN. The toddler crawled over to the edge of the couch and pulled him/herself up and then fell. What did YOU do next? Tell them HOW to walk? Probably not. You probably encouraged their effort and let him/her do it again. What happened next? Maybe the toddler stood on their feet for a second or two and then fell. The toddler was pushing the limit of what they could do, whilst falling in between and learning from each fall. Approach golf the same way with your little ones. When your boy / girl tops the ball or hits another ”bad” shot, ask him/her what they thought about that one. Ask them if they hit the ball or the ground. Don't give them the answer (if you YOURSELF know it). Ask them what they would have to do to hit it up into the air. They may surprise you and say ”I have to hit the ground.” Kids are smart.
Learning golf comes from lots of screw ups and mis-hits. It's all about pushing the limits of what they can do. Here are some final words of advice for parents:
* Encourage, don't judge your kids results
* Praise him/her for their effort
* Let them watch you and your technique...no checklists!
* Add variety to the game: Par 2 on the putting green, chip/pitch up and down game, closest to the hole from the bunker, Junior hits the fairway and Pappa does a pushup, etc...make it fun!
Make it fun! Grow the relationship! Learn the game!
Thanks for reading,
Steven
Far too often, I talk to parents who tell me that little junior won't listen to them, so it is better that they take lessons from me. As I agree with the lessons part, I often wonder what goes on between the dynamic between parent and child. I see it on the range daily...parents giving their kids a checklist of how to swing a golf club ”(1) keep your eye on the ball (2) remember to aim (3) don't forget to follow through (4) you looked up on that last one, so keep that head down (5) come on...concentrate on what you are doing (6) stop goofing off, etc......” Wow. I am not sure that I would want to play either.
So my advice. Leave them alone. Let them hit indifferent shots. Don't define what is good or bad. Stop judging your kids. All in all, don't overcoach them.
Remember when your little ones where just learning how to walk? Often times, they looked at you and decided that crawling was OUT, and walking is IN. The toddler crawled over to the edge of the couch and pulled him/herself up and then fell. What did YOU do next? Tell them HOW to walk? Probably not. You probably encouraged their effort and let him/her do it again. What happened next? Maybe the toddler stood on their feet for a second or two and then fell. The toddler was pushing the limit of what they could do, whilst falling in between and learning from each fall. Approach golf the same way with your little ones. When your boy / girl tops the ball or hits another ”bad” shot, ask him/her what they thought about that one. Ask them if they hit the ball or the ground. Don't give them the answer (if you YOURSELF know it). Ask them what they would have to do to hit it up into the air. They may surprise you and say ”I have to hit the ground.” Kids are smart.
Learning golf comes from lots of screw ups and mis-hits. It's all about pushing the limits of what they can do. Here are some final words of advice for parents:
* Encourage, don't judge your kids results
* Praise him/her for their effort
* Let them watch you and your technique...no checklists!
* Add variety to the game: Par 2 on the putting green, chip/pitch up and down game, closest to the hole from the bunker, Junior hits the fairway and Pappa does a pushup, etc...make it fun!
Make it fun! Grow the relationship! Learn the game!
Thanks for reading,
Steven
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