Having a great swing in golf can be a curse. I know many people who have great swings but can't convert on the golf course. It's almost a curse where you have the mechanics down but you just can't score well. This proves that there's something else out there we need.
After years of teaching, it has become increasingly apparent that the game is being approached incorrectly. You see, we all need to take a step back and ask the question How do the pros reach such stellar levels and my game is lackluster at best?
To answer, these pro's hit millions of balls a day (well, maybe millions is a tad bit of a stretch..but you get my point). Secondly, they have a coach. Third, they know how to take their practice to the course..which I feel is the biggest trick that we don't know how to do.
So the trick is taking what you learn on the range to the course. The real key to this is to imagine yourself on the course when you are on the range. Imagine the shot you are getting ready to hit.
For some of us, we get a little anxious because our buddies are watching or theres money on the line (while we imagine we are on the course). For others, we have no emotion because when we golf its social and we could care less what we shoot (although we want our game to magically be great and delivered without real practicelike crossing our fingers). In either case, you are searching for the moment. The MOMENT is when you are locked into what you want to execute, how the ball should lookthis is found through your pre-shot routine what why it's so important.
When you have calmed any sort of emotion and you are set to hit your shot in your mind, go ahead and hit your shot. Did it go where you wanted it to on the range? Probably not...and this my friends is the sign you've never had the shot on your bag. There's nothing with you....we all "think" we have shots because we bang balls on the range and they look great. But, in all respects...when there are consquences (like a round of golf) we don't have the shot. Keep practicing this shot....keep going until you get it. Then you can take your pre-shot routine and being in the moment to the course. Have fun!!
