Nothing that I say here is new.

What’s paramount in teaching or learning golf is the actual act of playing the game itself, hand in hand with understanding its mechanics. Golf isn’t just a set of movements; it’s a vibrant game meant to be experienced from day one. Priority should always be given to getting out there and playing, ensuring it’s done at the appropriate distance and with suitable equipment tailored to each individual’s needs. This approach may seem simple, but it’s crucial for fostering genuine enjoyment and comprehension of the sport.

 

Have you ever heard of anyone learning to ski or snowboard by being dropped off at the top of a mountain with borrowed racing gear and a simple directive to “follow me”? Unfortunately, I know one such person—my wife. As a result, she’s had to navigate psychological barriers every time we hit the slopes. It’s a classic case of learning the hard way.However, even though she didn’t enjoy it, I always remind her that at least she was learning through active participation. Many in the US learn golf this way. While it may be a long, challenging day, being immersed in nature and surrounded by friends can make the experience worthwhile.

Now, let’s consider the concept of learning through restriction. Imagine if children worldwide were told they couldn’t play soccer until they mastered dribbling, passing, and shooting. Such a notion mirrors the approach to golf education in Europe, where learners must first grasp the basics and obtain a license before hitting the course freely. Just think about it—Pele, one of the greatest footballers of all time, might never have learned to play if such restrictions were in place. It underscores the importance of allowing individuals to engage in the sport from the outset, fostering a love for the game that transcends technical proficiency.

As a coach, my philosophy aligns with letting the game itself teach its intricacies. I draw inspiration from Coach Wooden’s timeless principles of learning:

 “Explanation, demonstration, imitation, 

repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition,

and repetition.”

 

When introducing traditional golf to individuals who are completely new to the sport, I make it a point to emphasize the importance of learning through active engagement. I begin by explaining the fundamental concept of traditional golf: using a golf club to strike the ball from a designated starting point towards a distant hole, aiming to complete the hole in as few shots as possible.

Following this explanation, I demonstrate the process by playing a single hole at a short distance, inviting them to observe closely. Sometimes, I even switch to playing left-handed so they can easily mirror my movements. Once the demonstration is complete, they have the opportunity to imitate me by playing the same hole, with me leading the way and offering guidance as needed. This hands-on approach allows them to experience the game firsthand and gain confidence in their abilities.

I firmly believe that golf is both a sport and a pastime best learned through active participation. By immersing themselves in the game from the very beginning, players can develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the nuances of golf while enjoying the experience of playing on the course.

Priorities for teaching or learning golf.

When it comes to teaching or learning how to play golf, there are several key priorities that instructors, including myself, emphasize. In addition to the fundamentals outlined earlier, modern instructors like myself prioritize guiding our students to consistently strike the sweet spot of the club face. This involves not only achieving the right rhythm and speed for each shot but also maintaining a favorable clubhead path, ensuring proper clubface orientation, and mastering sustainable low point control.

 Sweet spot

Hitting the sweet spot not only feels incredible but also ensures maximum efficiency in energy transfer, as per Newton’s third law. When the ball connects with the center of the club face, the result is a more powerful and accurate shot. Conversely, shots that miss the sweet spot may lack the same level of energy transfer and can lead to errant shots.

It’s essential to recognize that even well-struck shots may not always end up where intended, and vice versa. Ultimately, the outcome is what matters, not necessarily the path taken to achieve it. By honing in on hitting the sweet spot consistently, players can enhance their overall performance and enjoyment of the game.

Have you ever heard of International Dot Day? International Dot Day is a “global celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration”,, inspired by the beloved children’s book “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds. As a fun tradition, my students and I participate in International Dot Day by embellishing our golf clubs with dots. Can you guess where most of these dots end up? That’s right—on the sweet spot of the club.

We get creative with our dots, using stickers, happy faces, “sometimes little dots.. we make BIG dots too… and we even make a dot by not drawing a dot.” Once our clubs are adorned with dots, we head out to the course to put them to the test by hitting golf balls with our dotted clubs. It’s a delightful way to celebrate creativity while honing our golfing skills. 

Club face orientation 

This refers to where the eyes of the clubface are directed. It’s a concept analogous to walking along a path in the woods—wherever our head points, our body tends to follow, just like how our eyes and body align with the direction we’re walking. Picture yourself strolling down a clear dirt path, gazing straight ahead. Your eyes and body are aligned with the path, and everything is in sync. In golf, when your clubface is square to the target line, the ball typically goes straight.

Now, imagine you’re walking along that same path, but your attention is drawn to a beautiful lake on your right. What happens to the golf ball? It starts at the target but gently veers towards the lake. Similarly, if you glance to the left at some captivating trees, you may unintentionally drift into the woods. In golf, this translates to the ball starting where the club face is aimed (i.e., the “eyes” of the club), and any deviation to the right or left is influenced by the path of the club (i.e., the direction of your swing).

Furthermore, if you zigzag along the path while looking every which way, expect the ball to follow suit—scattered and unpredictable. As an instructor or golfer, it’s crucial to recognize your tendencies, strive to counteract them, and gradually find balance. Sometimes, it’s necessary to explore extremes to understand what works best for you or your student. Ultimately, mindfulness of where your focus lies, how the club is moving and how your body moves along the path is key to achieving consistency and control in your golf game.

A practical approach to understanding and applying key golf concepts is to adopt Harvey Penick’s method of starting from the green and progressing backward. Begin by affixing “Googly Eyes” on either side of the putter’s sweet spot, spaced wide apart for beginners or children. Align the eyes toward your desired starting point and assess your ability to consistently hit the sweet spot by attempting five putts from a distance of 2 feet, gradually increasing the distance as proficiency improves. For additional putting practice, consider exploring Tiger Woods’ tee drill, a valuable exercise worth exploring.

Clubhead path

To develop awareness of the club path during putting, perform sets of three putts with a straight-back-and-through motion, followed by sets with an in-to-out path, and finally, sets with an out-to-in path. As you become familiar with these variations, incorporate club face orientation into the drill. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different paths, such as figure eights, while maintaining varying club face orientations. It’s advisable to document and analyze your progress throughout these exercises.

As you move farther from the hole, larger swings become inevitable. This is where a touch of discipline and concentration becomes crucial, especially when aiming to consistently strike the sweet spot. Fortunately, modern technology offers various tools for feedback. While advanced devices like Trackman and Flightscope are valuable investments due to their ability to track face contact, alternative options like shampoo spray, impact stickers, or clubs with small face heads can also provide helpful insights into your performance. Experiment with these tools to refine your technique and enhance your overall golfing experience.

Speed

Speed embodies excitement. But what facets of speed truly matter? When we contemplate speed, it’s often seen as the epitome of coolness, allure, and exhilaration, while its counterpart, slowness, is often relegated to the realm of dullness, awkwardness, and tedium. Yet, in the world of golf, as in other sports and life itself, both ends of the speed spectrum offer unique advantages. From a survival perspective, speed can swiftly extricate us from challenges, while slowness can provide a shield of caution and protection.

In the context of golf, where precision is paramount, speed alone isn’t enough. We must also consider rhythm, flow, and sometimes even grace to guide the ball where we desire. Each golfer possesses a personal sweet spot, balancing maximum and minimum speed according to their physical and mental capabilities.

Sure, focusing on physical fitness can definitely lead to improvement, but let’s save that discussion for another time. An accessible route to progress lies in refining technique, rhythm, and flow. By honing these aspects, your maximum and minimum speed will operate with greater efficiency. Living here in Spain, I’ve witnessed the traditional approach to learning golf, primarily centered around hitting balls on the range. While this method tends to emphasize top-end speed and technique, I’ve noticed a shift thanks to the influence of some exceptional Spanish instructors.

When delving into speed enhancement, it’s crucial to establish your baseline, both for your top-end speed and your slower speeds. Personally, I rely on my PRGR Portable Launch Monitor to gather this essential data. To boost your top-end speed, consider integrating overspeed training into your regimen. It’s fascinating how I’ve observed mechanical improvements resulting from this type of training; it seems the body has a remarkable capacity for self-organization.  

Rhythm 

When it comes to flow and rhythm,also known as tempo in the golf world. Sound, in my experience, stands out as one of the most effective tools for honing this aspect. I’ve explored various technologies to illustrate the profound impact sound has on human movement, especially when it comes to striking a golf ball with a club. The anecdote about Ben Hogan having a tune in his head during his Masters victory comes to mind—it underscores the significance of rhythm in golf. I’ve had songs stuck in my head and had some great rounds.I’ve experienced the influence of music firsthand on my golf game. One particular memory stands out: during a practice round for a high school tournament in Pahrump, Nevada, a song by Macy Gray got stuck in my head, courtesy of my girlfriend at the time. That day, I was in the zone—I shot a 79, just a stroke shy of my best. Everything clicked: booming drives, crisp irons, and stellar short game. It felt like I was destined for success in the upcoming tournament.

However, golf has a way of humbling you. The next day, the windy conditions threw off my rhythm, and I struggled to find my groove. I ended up shooting an 89—a stark contrast to the previous day’s performance. It was a reminder of the power of flow and rhythm, not just in golf but in life as well. The game has a unique way of teaching us valuable lessons about perseverance and adaptability.

Discovering the right music can truly elevate your golfing experience. Personally, I always bring along a small speaker so my students and I can enjoy tunes that resonate with us. I often ask for their music preferences, but sometimes we simply let the natural sounds of the golf course create the perfect ambiance. Additionally, I highly recommend the Tour Tempo app, which provides straightforward audio cues to help maintain rhythm during practice sessions or casual rounds. It’s a fantastic tool for honing your tempo and enhancing your overall performance on the course. It’s fascinating how apps like this can also assist in optimizing both your maximum and minimum speeds. Other crucial sounds to keep in mind, which also happen to be my favorite golf sounds, include: the satisfying click and clack of the ball dropping into the hole, the crisp crack of impact of a perfectly struck shot on the sweet spot, the fizzing sound as the ball cuts through the air, and the rhythmic whoosh cadence of the golf club’s motion from takeaway to follow-through.

Low Point Control

Low point control is crucial for consistent ball striking and trajectory. It refers to the lowest point of the club’s swing arc as it approaches the ball, ideally occurring after impact. Here’s why it matters and how to improve it: Proper low point control ensures a descending strike, maximizing distance and accuracy. Hitting the ball before the ground results in crisp shots, while hitting the ground first leads to fat or thin shots.

Pay attention to divots, which should be shallow and slightly ahead of the ball’s position. One of my favorite drills, which I first learned at The Aviara Golf Academy, is the towel drill behind the club: Position a towel a few centimeters or inches behind the ball and focus on striking the ball cleanly without touching the towel. The goal is to brush the grass after impact, indicating proper low point control. Despite its simplicity, this drill yields remarkable results in refining your club’s descent through impact. Mastering low point control enhances consistency and precision in the golf swing, leading to improved performance on the course.

Mindfulness

In my approach to improving both my own game and assisting others with theirs, I strive to cultivate mindfulness, a concept championed by Dr. Ellen Langer, often hailed as the mother of mindfulness. According to Dr. Langer, mindfulness entails actively noticing new things—a notion that resonates deeply with the process of playing and learning golf.

Throughout our golfing journey, it’s crucial to remain vigilant, actively noting nuances such as sweet spots, rhythm, speed, clubhead path, clubface orientation, and low point control. Conversely, succumbing to mindlessness, characterized by a lack of awareness, can hinder progress.

Drawing from both my personal experiences and the insights offered by new technologies, I firmly believe that by sharpening our focus on these aspects of our primary tool—the golf club—we can unlock significant progress and improvement in our game.