I think for most golfers around the world the thought of taking a golf lesson can be a bit stale. I mean I don’t blame them. Some lessons can be way overpriced, leave you feeling unsure, and by the end, you’re even more confused about the golf swing than you were before all those late-at-night YouTube videos. Why does it seem like lessons make you worse?
The lessons range between thirty minutes to an hour long. On arrival, the coach or front desk greets you and asks you to warm up. If you’re lucky, you might be greeted with a complimentary beverage and warm-up bucket. The coach then rushes over, about five minutes in from his previous session, and proceeds to regurgitate a series of questions and topics you’ve never thought about. They then follow by watching you hit some golf balls and perhaps take a video or two. They then manage to find that ‘one’ thing wrong, that if fixed will revolutionize your swing. And it’s always different. You didn’t quite warm up correctly, but what do you know about P5 to P7? The drills you get given, are strange, and when you finally “get it right”, it feels like you’ve been twisted into some kind of Chinese finger puzzle, all whilst holding a ‘coat hanger’ and some sort of exercise balloon. Needless to say, the Coach is great, he seems knowledgeable, and man you hit some fantastic shots, like… really fantastic. You receive your prescription at the end, the Doc shakes your hand and off you go. All before departing with half of your life savings and forgetting to schedule your next appointment or clarify WHY the coach gave you the medicine they did, but hey, this guy is a Pro and it’s an investment right, so all’s good.
Then, for weeks, with coaches’ “wisdom” in mind, you struggle to strike your irons, your chipping goes for a ball and even the driver stays at home these days. You’ve been going to the range 3 times a week and sticking to “the process”, but nothing seems to work or feel good for long enough. Truth be told, at this point, you’ve forgotten the details of what the coach actually mentioned, and months later, selling your clubs and taking up cycling is starting to seem like a really good idea, again. You’re back on to YouTube to find a drill that relates to something you remembered the coach said but in the end, you find yourself starting a new drill from around five years ago about “Lag & Speed” and then it turns into complete shambles. I understand, it is frustrating.
The issue, in fact, lies on both sides. On the one hand, you have a Pro who is trying to make a living, create a name for themselves, and follow their own swing philosophies. This is great, all great teachers should believe in their own philosophies however, by today’s standards, philosophies that are not holistic in their approach, unfortunately, don’t measure up. On the other, a student, who would like to better their game but has been led to believe that there is indeed a quick fix. It can be from their peers, social media, live media, and even your Pro. It’s no one’s fault actually. Unfortunately, it is the industry that has fostered this for so long.
The idea that there is only one method to swing the club is outrageous and somehow it remains a theme. Why is no one asking WHY? From stack and tilt, the reverse C, centre pivots, and body releases – these “patterns” have been and continue to be some methods that many coaches adopt and advocate today. Just go check out Reels on Instagram. Players then wonder why they have back issues or can’t ‘turn’ anymore. My concern, in truth, isn’t over how many methods there are, but rather that many coaches tend to favour only one, regardless of new information and discovery. The refreshing thing is, that this norm is fading and gaining traction fast. “There are no two ways to swing a golf club, there is an infinite amount” – Dr Greg Rose TPI.
As technology becomes better and more readily available, we’re seeing a greater need for coaches and, now, players, to ask the question WHY. This is the single most important aspect when creating a structured training regime and truly understanding “the process”. As coaches, more and more are teaching with this question in mind because as knowledge increases, the understanding of the swing and all its auxiliaries can almost change overnight. The proof is out there. No two swings are the same. Research is beginning to show how and why we swing the way we do. For real. For a long time, I felt as if this belief was somewhat empty-handed. We knew that it was true, but we could only observe and interpret the data at hand. The brilliant thing about consistency is that it always bares a positive yield. So now that data, along with some revolutionary analysis, has revealed patterns. Patterns which on all accounts, account for all of that. Amazing. Now the Why is beginning to create answers and better yet inspire more coaches to treat every golf swing uniquely and with thought. From full swings to ”flop-shots”: Injury prevention and rehabilitation, performance and power. All elements that influence our game are being considered. It’s great for good players because it creates a blueprint for their training. It’s like having an architect from your golf swing and it’s yours and your alone. Swing, fitness, recovery, putting, everything. I know, it’s so cool, right? But how does that help you?
Well, it gives you access to the information at hand and gives you the license to ask WHY. We can agree, that by and large we are all responsible for our own progress, right? Your golf game is no different. The next time a coach or instructor asks you to complete a drill or ‘try this’, ask “Why”? Take charge of your development. There has to be a reason for everything. Why do I need to hinge more? Why do need I to turn more? Most importantly you need to ask why, when you cannot perform the movements. The information is available. The reason for your swing characteristic must have a route. This is what will move your training into a developmental mindset and away from fast remedies and bad lesson experiences. When you ask Why the coach is required to produce an answer that is hopefully backed by evidence. In today’s world, there are heaps of it. Whether it’s a physical screening of movement patterns or technically via video analysis and data monitors. The evidence and reasoning you receive are critical in your progression, performance, and development. Make sure you’re measuring or recording, and if your coach can’t assist you then find one who can. With the use of the internet, there is no excuse. You can then analyze and plan accordingly. Understanding your game is imperative when you’re looking to improve. We all know that golf is a game of inches. Tracking and understanding your tendencies will help you move better, practice smarter, score lower, and ultimately, enjoy your golfing journey a little more. It is possible and that is why all coaches and now, you, need to assess and test. Especially if you’re in any way, shape, or form interested in getting better.
Tests inherently come in many forms. Not all are related to the human body and its physical performance. These tests have long become staples and are being built upon every day. Tests can be related to cognitive and mental states. Your equipment should be tested. Tracking your scores and stats is a form of testing. The game of golf is a test. Naturally, it’s woven into the very fabric of all sports. Any form of competition or game is in fact a test. It doesn’t matter that you’re a 23 handicapper or a Wednesday night action cricketer. If you want to get better, tracking or continuously recording your scores or round stats can be more than enough data to analyze in the beginning. This stuff isn’t just for the pros. Find a level you are comfortable on and begin testing yourself. Ask as many pros for help as needed. Keep a record of those exercises and find better ways to do what you’re already doing, progress, and keep asking why? Information is power. It can be a simple putting and chipping drill or perhaps you enjoy seeing how many putts you have at the end of each round. The more you record the more answers you have waiting at your fingertips. Use this to your advantage. Golf is not a game of perfect, understanding your weakness and playing to your strengths is something I wrestle with every round but if you remain aware and observe, you might just learn something about your own game. To get better at anything you’ll need to commit to the idea of progression. There are no quick fixes anymore. We need to test for patterns and adjust accordingly. This is the only way we truly develop our skills. What tests you may think, well that’s where you’ll have to ask your coach.