There are two basic ways you can work on your golf swing: physical preparation and training, and mental toughness. You simply cannot ignore one in favor of the other because that’s the unwritten law with all competitive sports and even a casual game of golf among friends will still have an element of competitiveness.
Studying Your Swing
The average amateur male golfer has a 14 or 15 handicap with an average speed of 150 km/h. This is based on a global study using an effective app that disregards race and age. Other findings reveal that ball speed is 210 km/h when it could be 225 km/h, launch angle can be improved by two degrees, and spin rate is not as controlled as it should be. These figures all prove that if you are diligent in studying your swing, you can gain up to 27 metres from tee off which should make your approach shots less difficult.
Consider also your physical shape and stamina. Your eyes, for instance, play a major role in your golf game. Your eyes control depth perception, range, and helps in assessing obstacles. Have your eyes checked. Stamina can also be a factor because the game is physically demanding. Your performance on your last holes could wreck all the good work you’ve done if you are too tired to swing properly.
The Mental Toughness’ Role on your Golf Swing
While there are apps available to help you analyse your swing, you cannot depend on them to improve your swing. This is where mental toughness plays a huge role. Bad swing habits are just like every other bad habit – difficult to forget and change. You need to overhaul the muscles memory plain and simple.
The only age group that does not have muscle memory is babies who haven’t learned to walk or crawl. Unfortunately, muscle memory is neuron-dependent. Neurons tell the muscles what to do based on habit and memory and if you’ve been using that golf swing for the past five or ten years, that’s a lot of muscle memory you need to break down. The best way to break a bad swing habit is to focus completely on the new swing every time. This is because the brain’s memory makes the adjustment faster when you are fully concentrated on what you are doing rather than just repeating the motions and swing mechanics without thinking.
Game Day Jitters
Assuming you’ve been working on a new golf swing, the first few times on the course is bound to cause you some jitters unless you’re out on your own. When this day comes, you’re on the spot. Your golf buddies are bound to notice something different and this will put more pressure on you to prove you’ve got a new and improved game.
Don’t think about muscle memory at this point. Typically, a player with a new golf swing would start stressing over position, balance, and the perfect new stance. Trust the new golf swing but don’t panic if it isn’t perfect. You cannot over-analyse your swing especially on the course because you’ll just get tighter.
The best athletes in golf, tennis, or any other sports are those who have a natural affinity for the sport. The golf swing can only be perfect if it’s perfect for you. You can aspire to have Rory Mcllroy’s swing but since you’re different physically you have to make tiny adjustments to find your perfect swing. It has to be as natural as possible in motion, balance, and movement otherwise you could end up with a nice swing but a potential permanent injury.
Date Published: 08 July 2015
