The Triangle to Better Golf

Quality Practice
The second in a series of three articles

The diagram illustrates the basic components that I believe are needed in order for someone to make significant and lasting improvements in their golf game.

Although the equal length of each side of the triangle would seem to indicate an equal importance to each component, that is not necessarily the case. Just as there are triangles with different length sides, each individual needs to determine the importance of each component at any given point in time. Early in the season the mix may start out being weighted towards instruction and practice with only a small amount of play on the course, while later in the season it may shift to being weighted towards practice and playing with a "maintenance" lesson thrown in for good measure, to keep the swing flowing smoothly. No matter what weight you give to each component it is important to understand that each one has a roll to play if your going to be successful in improving your game.

MASTER THE BASICS

Whenever the topic of practice comes up I am always reminded of an article that has been tacked to my bulletin board at home, ever since I cut it out of the paper over 25 years ago. It was written by Allan Cox, a syndicated columnist, for the LA Times. The article was about success in business, but the premise of the article applies to any field of endeavor, including golf.

The article started with the question: "Are you committed to the obvious, the routine, the mundane?"

The article then goes on to argue that the only road to superior performance requires that you "master the basics" of whatever you are trying to excel at.

I will paraphrase here a bit, but he writes "when we look at most fields of endeavor, we have very little trouble seeing what constitutes superior performance... and we are forced to acknowledge the champion's unerring execution of fundamentals". He continues, "Do you want to be Isaac Stern? Yes? Then be prepared to practice eight hours a day from the age of 8"... "Oh, that's a bit too much" you say, he's "gifted", the way Walter Payton is "gifted", and what they both do is "natural." Mr. Cox agrees, but then goes on to state that although he may have a "gift", " ...Stern still practices eight hours a day, while Walter Payton's idea of off-season practice was to run up sand dunes until he threw up. When that happened, he quit for the day."

The important point he is making is that it's important that you recognize that "true distinction does not lie in the exotic. It lies in making the seemingly exotic mundane through drill and drudgery." The rush to buy the latest technology, or to try the latest swing fad that appeared in this month's issue of some golf magazine, is merely an attempt to spare yourself the painful commitment to "mastering the basics."

If your ready to commit yourself to mastering the basics then...

DEVELOP A PLAN

The first, and probably hardest, step towards quality practice, and mastering the basics, is to develop a plan to get you where you want to go. The plan may start out as a general goal, but then it should be broken down into specific skill sets, with realistic secondary goals, so you can monitor your progress in each area. As you improve at each of the skill sets, you will be getting closer to your overall goal.

DETERMINING YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

From experience, I know there is a lot of reluctance for people to seek out the services of a golf professional, but if your serious, you really should find yourself a quality instructor to get a critical assessment of your overall game. He should be able to provide you with an objective opinion and also sit down with you afterward to help develop a plan to move forward.

I know, I can almost feel you wince, "But seeking help from a professional is expensive" you say. Well, yes, it can be. But think of it this way - A doctor is also expensive, but when you start taking the medicine he prescribes, you usually feel better afterwards.

PRACTICE YOUR WEAKNESSES, MAINTAIN YOUR STRENGTHS

Once you have developed a plan and determined your strengths and weaknesses, it's time to take action. Devote the majority of your practice time to working on your weaknesses. You don't want your strengths to suffer, but only spend the minimum amount of time needed to maintain them.

And remember, quality practice does not necessarily equate with hitting a lot of golf balls. If you are working on some specific aspect of your swing, there's no benefit to bludgeoning 100+ balls, in rapid fire, out into the practice range. Get a small bucket instead. Really THINK about what you are trying to accomplish on each swing. There should be LOTS OF PRACTICE SWINGS to rehearse the motion you are trying to learn. You may need a lot of half and three-quarter swings before you progress to the full swing. You will need lots of swings at a slower swing speed until you master the motion. Sometimes it is better to rehearse your swing in the backyard, instead of going to the range, where you will be tempted to "see if it's working yet". It is also helpful to practice in front of a mirror, so you have visual feedback as you rehearse.

PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE

The problem with most golfers is they lack patience and perseverance when attempting to improve their games. They tend to expect instant gratification with little time or effort spent. Well, I'm truly sorry, but whether in golf or in life, it just doesn't work that way. Remember the quote above "true distinction does not lie in the exotic. It lies in making the seemingly exotic mundane through drill and drudgery."

At the end of his article, Mr. Cox concludes "we falter not for failure of nerve, but for refusing accountability" in mastering the basics. "Evolutionary change... gives us an abundance of time to perfect our crafts. If only we would."

So, commit yourself anew to the obvious, the routine and the mundane. Master the basics and you may be surprised where you find yourself.

For more information on Allan Cox, click here to go to his website.

Follow the links below to the other articles in this series

Quality Instruction - the first in the series of three articles

On the Course Practice - the third in the series of three articles

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