Athletic Ability
One commonly overlooked key to good golf is an individual's athletic ability. Coordination and a feel for the athletic movement makes the game much easier to learn and to improve upon. Look at players such as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, & Phil Mickelson. Tiger grew up playing golf but also other sports. Without knowing for sure, I would bet you he is quite handy on the basketball court or the baseball field. Ernie Els was a childhood tennis star, and Phil Mickelson was in spring training with the Toledo Mudhens baseball organization. It is also not uncommon to see professional athletes in other sports that are also good golfers.
I have found that in teaching golf it is far easier to work with an individual who has played many other sports than one who has not, because that natural understanding of how to throw a ball or swing a bat has MANY similarities to hitting a golf shot.
But what if you are NOT athletically inclined? Is there no hope? Absolutely not! While some people are just naturally gifted, the majority of athletic people have learned this ability over the years. Even if you are 103 years old there are things you can do to improve your hand-eye coordination and sports skills.
Little things on the golf course can be done while you wait that REALLY improve your feel and coordination in a hurry. Try bouncing the ball on the clubface of your driver or your wedge. I see pros doing this all the time, and connecting that feel between your hands and eyes can really benefit yout game.
Another seemingly unimportant thing is to stroll to your shot while spinning the club in your hands. We've all seen Mickelson or Tiger do this little move, but it really does take good coordination to do so.
Finally, anything you can do like playing catch or shooting baskets will also help you reap rewards in your golf game. That natural ability to translate your thoughts into actions is the un-spoken essence of golf. Practice this feel and work on your coordination, and you will be surprised to see how it translates into your golf game!
posted by Peter Nomm @ 19:09
2 comments
2 Comments:
You make great points, Peter.
Not being a professional myself, I can't really point to any real evidence. But personal observation among people I've known throughout the years gave me the sense that people who were good in sports always picked up golf much more quickly than those who didn't play sports as much, or at least weren't as talented when they did play in their youth.
I've also intuitively felt that these skills could be developed. It seems like people who are labeled as "uncoordinated" may sour to golf and other sports and never even give themselves a chance to develop coordination. That also gives the impression that a good player must be born with gifts, when that might not be the case.
I grew up stuggling with sports. I tried baseball, basketball, and tennis with very limited success. I really lacked eye hand cordination and got very nervous when playing sports. I did ok with bike riding, ice skating, proably because that was not very competative. As an adult I have spent a lot of time trying to learn golf. I practice, take lessons, and play on an infrequent basis. My swing speed with a driver is around 80 and I can drive the ball 220. I see limitations I have learning the game due to my poor athletic abiltiy. I hope to break 90 one day .
Post a Comment
<< Home