Why Golfers Struggle with Learning Golf

 “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result”  

Let’s say you are a 20-handicap or some “average” golfer. You have hit some quality shots, good, long tee shots, flush irons. But the reason you are a 20-cap is, you don’t hit these shots very frequently. In fact, you’re likely to hit many more poor shots than good ones. But… every so often you “bump into the ball” and there it goes-flying high and straight! Why? Because as the idiom goes “even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.” Therein lies the paradox of golf!

Why do so many golfers struggle with learning golf? There are several reasons, not the least of which is the inherent difficulty of the game itself. But in this article, I am going to discuss one of the least-known or mentioned reasons; the MISLEADING feedback we get after hitting the golf ball.

I notice that, very often, my students will hit a particularly good shot, turn to me and say: “that was better, right”? To which I reply, “well the result certainly was better.” The point is one can hit a better shot without changing anything about their current motion. As stated above, you have done it many times. In this case, the golf ball is giving you false feedback. Not every good shot is the result of a new motion - one that you are learning in order to make you more consistent!

Here is where video and an instructor comes in quite useful. When your teacher reviews the video with you, you can see quite clearly if the swing motion has changed significantly-or at all! We (teachers) are trying to create for you a swing that is “safer,” one which you can rely on to be more consistent. Let’s use a shallow or steep approach angle into the golf ball as an example; the more consistently you can learn to get a swing bottom closer to where it should be (three to four inches ahead of the ball for turf shots and an inch or so behind the ball for tee shots) the more confident you’ll be of solid impact. But this takes change! You are not going to be more consistent using the same old “once-in-a-while” swing!

Take one season where you dedicate more time to practice than play. Make a concerted effort to change the current swing motion that, for years, has caused you consistency problems. Find out the real nature of the problem and try to change it. See if, when you hit a better shot, you have actually changed anything.  

Reminder: Not every “quirky” swing is a bad swing and not every great-looking swing is a correct one. Think of world number-one, Jon Rahm…would any teacher in their right mind change that swing because it looks “odd”? I doubt it. It is effective and it REPEATS-that’s all it needs to be! When I or any teacher suggests any change in swing motion, we are doing it to make you BETTER, NOT PRETTIER!!  Remember that the only thing the golf ball will respond to is impact-the .0004 seconds when the golf ball is on the face of the club. A swing “change” should always be suggested on that basis and that basis alone. 

As a player, you cannot always rely on the flight of the golf ball for shot assessment. Those of us who teach and coach are looking for ways to make your bad shots better, and your good ones more consistent. If I let you leave thinking you have actually changed something for the better when all you really did was “find a nut,” I have not done my job, and you’ll be back next week complaining of “inconsistency.”  You will only know by video and launch monitor analysis if you are headed in a better direction. I’ll invite anyone reading this to see me for a free swing analysis (not a lesson), just to see your swing and learn the real nature of whatever flaw it may have.