The golf season is well underway. How is your game holding up? Any better than last year? Be honest. What metrics do you use to measure game your improvement? Are you only comparing final scores? What about the numer of putts, fairways hit, greens in regulation, or shots within 50 yards? “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.”
Ping aired a commercial last year showing a golfer play much better after purchasing new Ping clubs to the point of dreaming of playing on Tour. His friends quickly burst his bubble and brought him back to reality. New clubs can only take you so far. Playing on Tour takes lots of work, lessons, and work on both the strengths and weaknesses.
Looking back, what one thing would have improved your game last year? Does the data agree? It’s easy to skew my practice sessions to those areas where I feel most comfortable. For example, if I enjoy hitting my driver, but regularly miss the green and don’t consistently get up and down from within 50 yards, I’ll still be a boggey (or worse) golfer. To get better this year track several data points, including percent of fairways, greens in regulation, putts, and shots hit inside 50 yards.
Want to have more fun? Review the data and use it to prioritize your lesson and practice time. Is your data telling you to get a short game lesson? What about hitting more greens? Practicing in a golf simulator can present similar approach shots to those outdoors. Are you striking the ball purely? Technology can provide valuable feedback regarding club face angle, swing path, and ball trajectory. Luke Donald attributes much of his success to practicing in his aboutGolf simulator (like those at Play-a-Round Golf).
Having fun at golf means hitting more fairways and greens. If we can help you have more fun, give us a call; we’d love to help you play better outdoors this summer.
[Article first appeared in the February, 2011 issue of Family Times.]
