In the golfing world, you will find a range of golf coaches who have vastly different methods but with the same goal in mind. Which coach is right and which coach is wrong?
If you look at some of the players who have won Major Championships over the years, you will find that their golf swings can be quite different. Some of the Champions might hit it longer than the others, putt better, and even hit iron shots better than others, but in the end we find ourselves celebrating a different Champion each year.
There are golfers who are and will be exceptions, winning many Major Championships. Some of the names that you might be aware of are Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Tiger Woods. You look at that list and see some great names, but, is it fair to say that Greg Norman should be a “great” even though he only won 2 Major
Championships and had the longest stretch as the number one player in the world? This is a question that will be debated for decades.
Everyone wants the perfect swing. Is there such a thing? Greg Norman who was a power player and was number one in the world, came second in a Major Championship to Corey Pavin, who would be one of the shortest hitters in the game, with a very unusual swing. Does Corey have a better swing?
Another couple of examples that I will bring to your attention are John Daly and Bubba Watson. Do you think there are institutes that are modeling their teaching on those two golfers golf swing? I doubt it. What this proves to me is that you don’t need a perfect swing but you need a swing that you can trust and repeat on demand.
The reason these golfers won “Major Championships” is simply trust and understanding in their own game, along with believing in themselves. Having belief in yourself will assist you in triggering great shots more often. Learning a technique that suits your capability is key. Everyone talks about wanting to swing it like a Tour Professional……can you move your body like a Tour Professional?
Do you trust your swing? Can you honestly, verbally describe to someone how you should hit the ball to get a straight shot, or simply the shot you want to play? I know many people can physically show you an attempt of how to hit the ball, but have you heard someone verbally tell you how it is done?
Understanding your game and knowing how to verbalize the art of hitting the golf ball will give you a great advantage over the rest of the field. Anyone can have a lucky day, but knowing and understanding your swing will give you the consistency and enjoyment you want.
The best test I like to give someone, to know if they have a good understanding of their game, is to get them to verbalize how they should hit the shot, regardless of whether it is a putt, iron shot or even a chip. I pretend that I cannot see, therefore the only way they can describe it to me is verbally. Test yourself or a friend.