January 18, 2024
Traditionally, most people have been introduced to the fundamentals of golf as the
grip, stance, posture, and alignment. The best players over past and present
generations have demonstrated these “fundamentals” drastically differently. Due to
this, I would characterize these pieces as variables. This does not, however,
discount the importance of each one. I believe that the emphasis on them comes
too early in golf Instruction and impairs new golfers from learning how to hit the ball
better faster. As you know, the grip, stance, posture, and alignment all come first
when hitting a shot. Therefore, most golfers & instructors put an enormous
emphasis on them.
What golfers need, new or seasoned, is an organized approach to their practice. If
the approach to practice were more organized, it wouldn’t matter if a golfer hit 30
balls or 100. An unorganized approach to a practice session will lead golfers to
frustration and lack of faster improvement.
If the traditional fundamentals aren’t fundamental, what are they?
When you attend a PGA/LPGA tour event, the players demonstrate a few important
aspects.
#1 –THEY HIT THE GROUND IN THE SAME PLACE EVERY TIME, AT OR IN
FRONT OF THE BALL.
Most golfers do not hit the ground in the same place every time. You could come
close to guessing someone’s handicap, just by watching the dispersion in the divots
(or lack of) on the ground. The closer the divot is to the ball, the lower the handicap.
#2 –THEY HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO PLAY THE GOLF COURSE IN A
REASONABLE AMOUNT OF STROKES.
The best players don’t hit a tee shot and lose 50 yards and I wonder why that
happened. Your typical golfer does.
#3 – THEY HAVE A PREDICTABLE SHOT PATTERN.
The best players have a shot pattern that they are able to repeat from one shot to
the next.
Most of us, when we practice, aren't successfully passing a standard of hitting the
ground in the same spot consistently or having enough power to play the golf
course. When I give a golf lesson to someone, keeping in mind their practice
availability, their needs and wants as a player, coupled with physical abilities or
limitations, we start with scratching a line in the ground and practice hitting the line.
This is the first standard every golfer should be able to pass. When you can control
the low point and learn how power is created in your golf swing, you are on the
correct path to faster improvement!
