ShareThisBy Dr. JIM SUTTIE
Monday, November 20, 2006
Do you often think that learning golf is hopeless? There is so much information out there you don't know what tip will work for you. Or, maybe you try all the tips and hope one sticks. It's not that the information is worn, it's just that it doesn't fit you, your golf swing, and your body build.
Also, how we process information is sometimes a problem. Some of us are analytical thinkers and we get some information about our golf swing and we break it down into a lot of pieces. I suppose that is like writing your name and trying to copy it backward _ you just can't do it. The last time I checked the dictionary the definition of a swing was, "an unrestricted, uninterrupted backward and forward motion." Therefore, anything that interrupts or restricts the movement is not a swing.
Some of us are creative thinkers. By that I mean we relate more with feel thoughts rather than mechanical thoughts. For example, a feel thought might be "feel like the arms are hanging vertical and limp underneath the shoulders at address."
Many of you think and say, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." Well, as the former president of the University of Chicago, Robert Hutchins, once said, "people aren't dogs and education is not tricks." You can learn, but not everything at once.
First of all, we must have information that is fundamentally sound. Methods, tricks, or systems don't work for any length of time. So, don't waste your time on them. Second, the information must fit your swing style, ball flight and body type. In other words, the fundamentals that fit your swing might not be the same fundamentals that you see in the latest golf magazine. For example, a short swing might be good for Fred Funk, but a disaster for John Daly.
How are you, the amateur, to decide which fundamentals fit you? The ball flight is probably your best teacher.
We learn things by repetition, and we can only learn one thing at a time. Once you are sure that the fundamental you are working on is correct for your swing, go ahead and use drills, teaching aids, or anything that gives you accurate feedback. Learn one swing thought and only one at a time. The human organism can learn or relearn anything if give the correct information, the correct feedback, and enough practice time.
Unfortunately most golfers do not, and will not, practice. Beating balls is not practice but only exercise. Practice is only good if there is accurate feedback and repetition.
You can avoid paralysis by over-analysis by focusing on one thing and ingraining that through practice and repetition. Don't become discouraged. You can learn, and you can get better. Learning to be a better golfer is a process, or as is said of many endeavors, this learning is a journey and not a destination.
(Dr. Jim Suttie, the 2000 PGA Teacher of the Year, is director of instruction at The Club at TwinEagles in North Naples, Fla. and at Cog Hill Golf Club in Lemont, Ill. To learn more about his instruction philosophy check out his new book, "Your Perfect Swing" and "Paper Tiger," by Tom Coyne. Suttie is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and coaches the Florida Gulf Coast University men's golf team. E-mail him at jmsuttie@aol.com.)
