CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE
By: Steve Riggs on 01/19/10 08:51 AMGolf can be like a relationship. Every time you think you’ve got it all figured out, everything changes. That is why you need a swing you can count on.
Even when your swing is ‘right there’, it seems that something always comes between you and a good round. It only makes sense that if you have at least a dependable golf swing, you can only blame the ‘golf gods’ or your head for not playing well. How many times have you heard a tour player say after losing an event, “I feel so good about my swing. I don’t think I can swing it any better. Billy had a great day out there.” Or, “My swing is better than it has been in a long time. I simply made some dumb mistakes that cost me the tournament.”
Golf is a game. The swing is not. It is what allows you play the game of golf. Dumb, I know, but I would suggest you step back and think about this simple concept as it just might be the one thing that has kept your handicap in double digits.
I realize this is a slight diversion from what we have been talking about on the radio show, mynegm.com/LESSON TEE, the mynegm LESSON TEE Podcasts, as well as the articles. I felt a break and just a little common sense and reflection might be in order.
If you are sitting and waiting for the snow to melt, or thinking if you just keep playing every day, you will get better, you are fooling yourself. In the Snow Belt, you won’t practice at an indoor facility because it’s not the same as hitting off grass. And, if you’re in that warm part of the country, you are sure if you keep playing every day the additional play and exposure will surely improve your game. I know seeing this reality in print seems ridiculous, but I would almost bet there are more than a few of you reading this who actually understand what I’m saying, even though you probably would not admit it out loud.
I have had golfers come to me who have become upset when I suggest the above that until we talk a little about their swing issues, how long they’ve had them, and what they’ve done to deal with them.
“Well” they say, “if I could practice during the winter, I know my game would get better, but there’s no place to really work on my game. Hitting off mats is not the same. I need to hit off grass and see the ball fly. Well, you’d think that if I hit balls every day before I play I’d improve, but it just does not seem to happen.”
I have an observation and suggestion for those of you who can’t find time to practice at an indoor facility in the winter or feel three rounds a week hitting a warm- up bucket of balls should be enough.
I have found that when a person begins developing a golf swing, they are always asking for help. This is the period I call the Swing Development Period. Most new to golf will take any and all advice and wisdom they can get, good or bad. However, once the new golfer can get around the course and enjoy the game, the Swing Development intensity tends to wane and is put on the back burner in favor of playing the game. To a degree, this is understandable, but the question is, have you reached that place with your game where you are satisfied? Usually not! As a result, the Swing Development seems to give way to a host of bad swing habits that are developed in order to “play the game.”
Where is this guy going with this? - Stay with me.
By the time you decide to do something about it, the season is over, it is snowing not to mention you ‘cannot hit off mats’, or you are at your winter retreat and simply keep playing. And finally, by the time you decide to schedule a lesson, your ball striking has gotten so bad, you are literally running to whomever is close by and available for a lesson. Then, when ‘it’ (the suggestions of the professional), does not work after 18 holes and a medium bucket of balls, you decide the pro is an idiot full of more bull than teaching ability.
If you are following my articles, podcasts and radio show and are really serious about addressing swing issues or simply want to improve your game by gaining a better understanding of your swing, I sincerely hope you consider making a couple of simple ‘adjustments’ to your thinking. Before I wrap this up, condsider the following statements.
First: The secret to any swing issues are most likely hidden in the building blocks of your golf swing.
Second: If the path you take does not have obstacles, chances are it does not lead anywhere.
There are indoor golf practice facilities in cold climates in most areas of the United States. And, as I often say, “you are trying to build and improve your golf swing not see how much dirt you can dig up.” (I honestly do not know too many tour players who do not have a golf mat in their yard, studio or basement.). You are working on your golf swing, (arc, rhythm, timing, balance and the like), which includes everything except dirt. Work with your swing on a mat maybe twice a week hitting no more than a medium basket of balls. Take one or two clubs into the facility at a time. Make sure one is a 5, 6 or 7 iron. The mid irons are where you will develop a repeatable golf swing. I suggest you hit the majority of the balls with your mid irons. We can talk ‘dirt’ later in the spring.
If you are wintering in warmer climates, try something different. If you’re playing 3-4 days a week, cut one round out of your schedule for 30 days and do not play. Instead, on that day, spend two hours at the range. Hit a medium basket of balls then spend the balance of your time around the chipping/putting green. Try not to read any golf magazines or books. Again, if you did this for 30 days, you will begin to become more comfortable with your swing, it will improve and therefore you are going to find yourself more at ease on the course. The net result. Better scores.
If you try what I’ve suggested, you will most certainly notice a change for the better in your swing on course.
If you decide you don’t have the time to make the minor behavior changes suggested here, well, I will end this article with two statements made to me many years ago that actually are applicable here. They are:
If you do what you always did, you will almost certainly get what you always got.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.
Oh, and that ‘relationship thing’? You tell me if it makes sense to you.
Steve Riggs is a veteran teaching professional of over 30 years working with clients as well as consulting around the U.S. and Caribbean. Steve teaches by appointment at Eagle Quest Golf Dome, West Warwick, RI. You can hear Steve's radio program THE LESSON TEE live on WNRI 1380 AM Radio, or listen live at www.mynegm.com Wednesdays at 12:05 Eastern Time. Download the FREE mynegmLESSONTEE Podcasts with Steve and listen to his swing advice on the go. To contact Steve via email: sriggs13@cox.net
