During my annual ski trip to Colorado with my son, I remember the importance of improvements in skiing and golf – and the role that information plays in your progress.
As my own average skier, I realized that with better guidance, I could have avoided some mistakes early on, which made it even harder to develop good techniques and develop good good habits on slopes, such as not attending classes.
I looked at someone like my son who went to ski school since he was a kid and therefore had top-notch skills, so I wondered I would be much better if I had the right information.
This reminds me of all the golfers who might be sitting on the same boat, so I want to share my expertise and give you some gains to help you improve faster.
1. Good communication is the key
The key element in improving golf is receiving the right information in a “click” way. Have a teacher who can communicate effectively and explain concepts in a way that you understand.
While you may not notice that you can make progress immediately over time, you can build a solid foundation – ensuring lasting improvements.
To find the right teacher for you, check out the top 100 teachers in golf.
2. Make settings
Your setup is crucial in every sport – but in golf, this is especially important. Proper grip and posture ensure you can deliver square club faces and follow the correct swing path. Whether you are skiing or playing golf, if you lose balance from the start, it becomes even more difficult to perform effectively and consistently.
3. Equipment is important
The device plays a big role in your success, especially when it fits your personal proportions and swings. I recommend using fitting tools such as Ping, which is a great starting point to make sure your club is right for you.
4. Solve root problems
While skiing, I learned that if I’m not in the right weight, it’s hard for me to turn effectively. This weight distribution problem is the root cause of my difficulty, not the turn itself.
The same can be said for golf. For example, incorrect grip can cause your club to face alignment issues, making it more difficult to perform a proper swing. Identifying the root of the problem will help you avoid falling further rabbit holes, and quick fixes will only lead to more bad habits.
5. Practice is necessary and not always fun
I have always emphasized the importance of practicing practices when teaching. Although they can be tedious and sometimes difficult, training is a quick way to improve. I find them especially useful when you get lost and need to get back on track quickly.
6. Repeat feedback
Change requires practice. To improve, you need to repeat the actions and receive feedback to refine them. This process of repetition and feedback is why training aids are so valuable. For example, partition boards are an excellent tool to improve ball-grass contact, helping you understand how clubs interact with the ground and when they come into contact with the ball.
Resignation Committee
$99.99 on Fairway Jockey
Introduce your ultimate golf companion for immediate feedback and swing corrections. This game-changing board reads your planet, provides real-time data in the ball flight and helps you improve your technology. Experience instant feedback and enhance your gaming with this portable and user-friendly device. Ideal for golfers of all levels. Get the departure board and take your golf journey to new heights.
Buy it now
View Product
7. Try to say something different
As a teacher, I found that changing the way I explain can have a huge impact on my students’ understanding. Next time it doesn’t work, remember, it may not be you. This may be how you receive the message. The same idea is often the key to ultimately making a breakthrough.
8. Hug up and down
There is nothing like “I know”. – When everything clicks into place. However, it can also be frustrating when the feeling fades away, and the skill seems to disappear. This is normal and is part of the process.
The more times you experience success, the more likely it is to get used to them. I learned a lot from the PGA education activities at Ian Highfield, and his teaching and learning insights have proven helpful for my journey of golf and ski improvement.
Improvement in golf or any sport takes time, energy and willingness to learn. Embrace the process, trust your teacher, practice diligently, and soon you will see the improvement you have been working on.
