What is the most common misconception with respect to golf instruction? Trying to help a student by telling him/her what they're doing wrong, without understanding the student's mindset.
You have to discover a student's preconceived idea about the swing, before you can offer an effective solution. Change the students perception of the swing and the natural resistance to change will vanish.
Let's look at a typical example of a student who seeks professional guidance to eliminate a chronic slice. Obviously, the cure is different for every golfer, but the principle can be applied in any situation.
How do you help a student who comes to you with a wild slice? He (based on my experience, most women hit the ball relatively straight ) takes half a dozen shots; the harder he tries to correct the left to right curve, the more pronounced it becomes.
It's obvious that the student is "casting" the club to start the downswing. You explain the cause - effect relationship and demonstrate the mistake, but your advice seems to meet with some (unconscious) resistance. How do you convince the student to follow your recommendation?
Ask the student to show you how he would correct the problem. For the once-a-week golfer, ninety percent of faulty swing mechanics are the result of misconceptions about the swing.
One of the biggest contributors to a chronic slice, is the belief that the clubhead should follow a straight line back and forward. There are no straight lines in the full swing. The goal is to swing the club in a consistent arc or "plane". While the "straight line" solution sounds logical, it actually exacerbates the problem.
Golf is a game that defies logic; swing easy to hit farther, hit down to make the ball go up. Helping a student understand these apparent contradictions is essential for effective learning.
Once a student understands the misconception, then you can work with him to develop a new effective motion. Armed with a new image, he will see glimpses of improvement followed by steady progress.
Effective instruction starts with understanding a student's perception.
Thanks for reading!
Do you invest in regular instruction and practice diligently, but end up working on the same issues year after year?
Your beliefs are the key to unlocking your potential. If you've ever wondered why the game is ninety percent mental, then please check out:
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