top of page
Writer's pictureAlex Nicolson

Success is a recipe

One of the traps that golfers fall into when improving is focusing on one thing in a unjoined-up manner. This is increasingly a problem when tips are consumed online, without context or relevancy.


Example

Take the very common error of a slicer who comes "over the top", where the path of the club swings out-to-in (left of target for a right handed player). An often used tip is to work on swinging out to the right.


However if the golfer works on path in isolation without attending to the fact that their clubface is more than likely to be open, the results will be worse. They will simply replace a shot starting left and slicing right, to a shot starting right and slicing further right. Ouch.


As the task of golf is 3-dimensional, it is unlikely changing one thing won't have a knock on effect on another. Effective coaching and practice needs to join the dots.


Incidentally, the above example is why I refer to directional work as "path/face" control, implying it is a relationship between the two impact skills that will determine whether ball is pin or bunker-bound.


Matching ingredients

Continuing to use the example above, other ingredients like shoulder alignment, grip or ball flight visualisation may be integral to the success of the mission.


As we've discussed previously, it's not just the visible elements we are interested in. We are not meccano models. The brain and body work in tandem in sophisticated ways, and the super computer that drives our movement is often where the most influential ingredients reside.

For example, whether there is clear intention on ball flight, or where you place your attention during the shot, can have very tangible and quantifiable effects on how you deliver the club - and thus where the ball goes.

Not all ingredients are equal

As you learn more about your game, you can understand which ingredients move the needle the most. Consistency will hinge on how well you have identified which are the key ingredients for you, and police them until they become habit.




Comentários


bottom of page