How to Make Swing Changes Stick by BILLY HOFFMAN , PGA / Director of Instruction , Westwood Country Club
MAKING SWING CHANGES IS DIF- FICULT . MAKING THEM STICK IS EVEN HARDER . When you ’ ve taken the steps to work on your swing , it ’ s important to understand why you are making the change and believe that the change will improve or correct a swing fault . Making a “ swing change ” is better described as “ creating a new motor pattern .” Using drills and teaching aids can be helpful for some , but spacing , variability and challenge is helpful for all .
Swing changes should come with a “ prescription ” from your instructor , including drills to perform at the range .
CREATE A PLAN Taking the first step to improving your swing starts with finding a golf instructor and working together to create a plan . It ’ s important to have an outside set of eyes to diagnose your golf swing . As the student , you need to understand the changes , believe in why you are making the changes and commit to the process . If you fall in love with the process of improvement , the results will follow . Belief in the process allows the student to accept change . Remember , changing a golf swing is creating a new motor pattern . The goal is to perform this new motor skill without conscious effort . ( Note : This is not muscle memory , muscles do not have the ability to remember .)
People will learn new motor patterns at different speeds , and it is dependent on the amount of time dedicated to performing the new pattern . Swing changes should come with a “ prescription ” from your instructor . The prescription should include drills to perform on the range , drills to perform at home without a club , a pre-shot routine addition or modification that incorporates the new motor pattern , an understanding of what the change feels and looks like , and what ball flight it creates so you as the student know when you ’ re performing it correctly .
When you ’ re headed to the range to practice a swing change , it is critical that you have a plan for your session . We all know that golf kicks us while we ’ re down , but it also brings us so much joy . Having the mindset that each practice ball you hit is a new learning experience and an opportunity to make the new motor pattern stick allows for change to happen effortlessly . On days that you struggle during a practice session , having the plan in place and knowing how to practice will help make the session beneficial .
JOSH APPLE
34 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M ARCH / A PRIL 2023
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