Clear Focus and a Plan
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The students who made a major breakthrough this season had two things in common. First their focus was to break into the next level. Second, we designed a plan on how to reach their goal. The majority of the students did not undergo a massive swing change. We started out reviewing the fundamentals of the golf swing, making sure they understood their swing path, clubface and how to generate effortless power. The majority of time was spent on the short game and on course management. Here are some guidelines to use when designing your plan for success.
Situation: Break 80 and shoot in the 70's.
Start with your short game. How many up and downs do you make during a round? Next, work to make 30 putts or less per round. Finally, become more accurate with approach shots. Work on alignment, posture and clubface awareness. Be sure to spent time developing a solid pre-shot routine for every shot.
Situation: Break 90 and shoot in the 80's.
To shoot in the 80's you need to make a lot of bogeys, a few pars and eliminate double bogeys or more. This requires a drive that hits most fairways, a stategically placed second shot and a decent short game. You do not need excessive distance to play bogey golf. Start by developing a swing you can trust under pressure. Next work very hard on your short game. There is little room to make mistakes around the greens. The goal is to get the ball on the green and always 2 putt, no 3 putts. Finally, work on your distance control with the first putt. Get it close!
Situation: Break 100 and shoot in the 90's. Break 110 and shoot low 100's.
First things first, you need to quit getting advice from everyone! The confusion and multiple swing thoughts are ruining your golf game. If you are getting unsolicited advice, do your best to ignore these people. Instead, develop basic fundamentals like how to make solid contact. Learn what your hands, arms and body should be doing in the golf swing. Discover the feeling of effortless clubhead speed. Second rule, eliminate 3 putts and 2 chips as soon as possible. Mental note: you are not trying to make every chip shot and every first putt. Your goal is to get your short game shot on the green and get the first putt close to the hole. Finally, eliminate the penalty shots because of poor course management. Learn to play for the safe area to avoid extra shots.
Every level requires a clear focus and commitment to a plan. It may take 6 months to finally stop three putting or 15 rounds of golf to finally get the driver shot in the fairway. Be patient, you will get there. Have a narrow focus, stick with your plan and commit time to practicing your short game. I promise the hard work will always pay off.
