Ever feel like your golf lessons are a temporary fix, not a lasting solution?
You crush the ball on the lesson tee, but the magic disappears the moment you're back on the course. Here's the hard truth: it's not just about what your instructor teaches you, it's about what you discover.
Let me explain. I've seen it countless times:
- The Topper: She was topping every shot until I showed her how to keep her body back. Perfect contact, every time! Weeks later, the topping returned. Her diagnosis? "I think I'm picking up my head." Sound familiar?
- The Shanker: He couldn't hit a wedge without shanking. We fixed his clubface alignment, and the shanks vanished. But guess what came back to haunt him? You guessed it. And his explanation? "I get too quick."
The problem? These golfers weren't truly learning. They were simply mimicking what I showed them, without understanding the why behind it.
Here's the thing:
- A lesson is a spark, not a wildfire. It's meant to ignite your own understanding, not spoon-feed you a perfect swing.
- True improvement happens between lessons. What you do after the lesson is crucial. Are you practicing mindfully, or just going through the motions?
- Honesty is key. If you don't understand something, speak up! Faking it only hurts you in the long run.
So, how can you make your lessons stick?
- Ditch the distractions. Don't schedule a lesson right before a round with your buddies. You need time to absorb and apply what you've learned.
- Practice with purpose. Hitting balls without intention is like reading a book without paying attention. Focus on the why behind each swing.
- Embrace the struggle. Don't expect instant perfection. It takes time and effort to ingrain new movements.
- Be your own detective. Pay attention to the cause and effect of your shots. "If the ball does this, then I know I did that."
- Don't just "how," ask "why." The goal is to understand the principles behind the swing, not just copy a set of positions.
Remember: A good golf lesson is about guiding you to self-discovery. It's about empowering you to take ownership of your swing and become your own best coach. So next time you're on the lesson tee, don't just focus on hitting the ball better. Focus on understanding why you're hitting it better. That's the key to lasting improvement.
This is Golf as You've Always Imagined!
Daniel is a Top 100 golf Coach, PXG Staff Pro, World Long Drive Coach and the Head of Golf Instruction at IMAGEN Golf the area's leading golf instruction and advisory firm, host of the IMAGINE Golf Differently podcast and Best-Selling Author of "Unleash The Golfer Within".
For more information visit www.ImagenGolf.com or call 215-595-6299 Reach out to Daniel directly at:Daniel@ImagenGolf.com
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