As most Golfers make the same swing mistakes over and over – they’re often left wondering why they never improve. We have found that there are a few simple traits that consistent Players possess that all Golfers should be striving to achieve.
The trend of the frustrated Golfer is the constant incorporating of trying new swing tips – which causes a downward spiral. As the more frustrated you become with your inconsistency – the more techniques you attempt to implement into your golf swing.
Thus you have a consistent habit of incorporating inconsistent techniques into your golf swing … which is making you frustrated. And then that frustration is influencing you to attempt to implement even more techniques that are causing you to move even farther away from consistency.
Hence – it’s the #1 habit of the inconsistent Golfer!
Consistency is a relative word … meaning: what constitutes consistency depends on your skill level.
A Golfer that usually scores over 100 (30 handicap) would consider a round that he/she scored a 93 as perhaps “the most consistent round of golf I have ever played!” While the Golfer that usually scores around 78 (a 6 handicap) would consider that same score as “possibly the most inconsistent round of golf I have ever played!”
The same score – the same amount of shots taken – the same amount of skill showcased on each shot … yet one Golfer is buying drinks for everyone at the bar after this amazing feat. While the other Golfer is in the corner of the room muttering to himself about how his game has completely fallen apart and is certainly not telling anyone of his “gulp” 93?!?!
Consistency isn’t a standard universal measurement like measuring inches, yards or meters. Yes, 36 inches equals a yard. Yes, 1,000 meters equals 1 kilometer. But you can not say whether a 93 is a consistent score. It depends on the Golfer’s skill level.
And the sooner an above 90 Golfer starts believing that statement – the sooner you will allow yourself to become more consistent.
A Golfer that scores above 90 is usually annoyed if they hit 3 or 4 bad tee shots in a round. “Oowww, I’m so inconsistent off the tee. I need to find a new golf swing.” Yet, a 6 handicap is going to hit 3 or 4 bad tee shots in a round.
But the 6 handicap isn’t going to try to change their golf swing because of it. They’ll look at their round and know that they hit 10 or 11 good drives – so they must be doing something well in their golf swing. They know that if they try to change their swing – there’s a very good chance things will reverse as they might start hitting only 4 good shots and 10 bad tee shots each round.
So they’ll work to improve the things they’re already doing well in their swing.
The above 90 Golfer takes the opposite approach and feels they need to try something new with their golf swing in order to become consistent. Hence the instant popularity and then rapid decline of fads such as the “one plane vs. two plane swing” – the “Stack and Tilt” – the “Golf Machine” – etc.
I call these people “Golf Swing Hipsters” – always looking to latch onto the “hip” new golf trend.
If you hit more good shots than bad shots … that means you’re closer to consistency than you think. Remember, what is inconsistent for a 6 handicap could very well be very consistent for an above 90 Golfer.
Understanding your present skill level is of the utmost importance if you want to get to a higher skill level. Because if you’re continually trying new things in your golf swing in your search for consistency … in reality, you’re actually practicing inconsistent habits. Thus, how the heck can you expect to become consistent?
As virtually every successful business has a PLAN to improve profits. As every person that wants to drive to a new destination in the shortest amount of time has a gps giving them directions. Every Golfer that wants to see success needs a consistent swing PLAN that they consistently follow.
Remember – there is no such thing as a PLAN that you follow every-once-in-a-while. That type of PLAN isn’t a PLAN … that’s inconsistency.
Just as a 6 handicap shouldn’t follow the PLAN of an above 90 Golfer – the above 90 Golfer shouldn’t have the PLAN of a 6 handicap. If you do … you’ll never get to where you want to.
The Monkey focuses on what’s wrong with their swing
The Player focuses on what’s good in their swing
Go ahead, be a Player!
Regards,
Marc Solomon – Your Instructor For Life
www.GolfMadeSimple.com