Hello everyone,
This is one of those instances when I should just leave well enough alone, but it’s not my strength.
Yesterday I had just finished a good session with a coached player – in his 60’s, capable of playing reasonable tournament golf. We had quickly used Trackman, BodiTrak, and some video. This was an occurrence when I was on the “main” area of the practice range, not the private area 400 yards away. We established a habit that was thwarting his efforts during his takeaway, and compared the results both visually and through 3-D. The entire process took minutes.
As my next student arrived to get loose, Student A walked back to the range, where a “Ranger Rick” laughed and asked why he was taking lessons. Without pausing to hear an answer (RR’s usually have all the answers already) he proclaimed that “thinking is bad in golf.” It should be noted that this gentleman is a highly educated individual, golfs daily, and has shot in the high 80’s to 90’s for decades.
I longed to intervene and ask:
“How did you acquire your degrees? By feel? Watching a television program? Reading a magazine? Hearsay from your colleagues?”
I assume the answer would be “no.”
I would also assume that he attended schools, seminars, took courses, constantly upgrading his education and comprehension of his craft. After all, why wouldn’t he if he wished to be successful? (He is.)
This gentlemen is in his late 60’s as well. I assume that includes a few medical visits in his last two decades. Did he want his medical team to use diagnostic equipment and research possible ailments and potential outcomes, or did he laugh off their “technical equipment” and methods? I assume not.
It baffles me that golfers are intimidated by furthering themselves. Students need not know “the data,” just what to do with it! But they MUST, in my opinion understand WHY the ball flies in the manner it does. They MUST, in my opinion, then be able to quickly apply their own personal solution to solve that problem. This is the manner in which all occupations, interactions, and relations are handled and solved by successful individuals.
In order to improve your game, any game, you must educate yourself about yourself. This process may involve ignoring others “advice.” Golf foursomes usually include at least one RR who simply cannot help but offer up a “tip.” (By the way, a tip is what you give your server, not your fellow golfers. If it was as easy as giving “a tip” the world’s handicap would be single digits. It’s not that easy.)
Educate yourself. Ignore the critics, naysayers and Ranger Ricks.
Have a great weekend! Thanks for reading.
ME
MODEV MEDIA