I recently took a look at a young tour player’s swing.
The first comment this player made to me was: “I’m hitting my driver and woods better than ever. I’m even getting more distance. But, with my irons, the distance has not improved nor is it consistent. I am just not hitting the ball solidly. I don’t have the confidence I need when standing over my irons.”
While I did see a couple of things that appeared to have gotten out of whack since some positive swing adjustments had been made over the winter, the time to talk about specifics is not the day before an event begins. The one thing I felt I could address her lack of confidence.
To those of you who have played for awhile but continue to have problems with confidence, I would suggest a reality check.
I refer golfers with this problem to two of the Four Stages of Learning as I did this competitor. They are Conscious and Unconscious Competence. Give these some careful consideration especially if you have tried everything else.
Accept what you are capable of and don’t try to accomplish something you can’t. Let go and relax. You just might be surprised to find your swing becoming more fluid, your ball striking more consistent and thus your scoring much improved.
The player after some consideration of what we’d discussed found her tempo, (while not perfect), improved enough to fire a 3 under 67 which was her best round of the season.
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(Steve Riggs is a retired teaching professional of over 30 years experience which included training aid development, testing and design. He also consulted on practice facility and instruction programs in U.S. and Caribbean. Currently Steve is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America. In addition to contributing monthly articles to the NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY magazine and mynegm.com, Steve is the host and producer of the mynegm LESSON TEE Radio/Internet Show now in it’s third year on the air and internet. The show airs every Wednesday from 10:05-11am ET on WNRI AM 1380 Radio and online at mynegm.com and wnri.com.)
About Steve Riggs
30 year Teaching Professional. Originally from Central Ohio. Co-host pro of 41st USGA NATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF TOURNAMENT, Yale Golf Club in '88. College golf at Indiana University. Facility/Program consultant in U.S. and Caribbean. Host/Producer of mynegm LESSON TEE radio show and is a Member of the Golf Writers Association of America.
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