Learning Impact - A Master Course
By Ken Martin, PGA
Co-founder
The activity of learning has been analyzed thoroughly by many great minds that included many noted golf champions. An excellent example is Ben Hogan. He not only accomplished a year for the record books in 1953 by winning the three Major Championships he entered, he also wrote a noteworthy series of articles outlining what he considered to be the key fundamentals to learning a proficient golf swing. This series of articles later became well known as the book Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons – The Modern Fundamentals of Golf.
Hogan learned to master impact, and IMPACT AWARE™ teaching can put you on that same road.
I would like you to consider what I have found to be three truisms in learning to play golf.
Learning is a process that can be outlined. The steps within this process can be described as observation, technical knowledge, application/perseverance, repetition, self-evaluation and experimentation.
OBSERVATION: A student of this game will do well to focus when his/her coach or teacher explains and demonstrates. Attentive observation will often help the student avoid early mistakes that can lead to poor habits. Watching an expert demonstrate each technique can go far beyond the descriptive word. Many techniques are not easy to articulate. Watching intently, as well as listening, will greatly benefit the astute student.
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE: A highly skilled and qualified instructor is a must for students to fast track a complete understanding of technique. While this process cannot be rushed, clear and precise explanation and demonstration of what and why for specific golf shot techniques lays a complete and solid foundation for learning golf.
APPLICATION/PERSEVERANCE: Turning knowledge into action is critical in learning/retaining skills and techniques. Everyone learns at different rates…worthwhile pursuits begin with the first step, and goals are achieved one step at a time. Learning golf specific techniques completely requires time for both the knowledge and skill to “percolate” prior to fruition.
REPETITION: Proper learning of a technique requires repetition, a lot of repetition. Automation of a motor skill has been documented to require 10,000 repetitions. Well, that is more than ½ hour per week, and it may seem overwhelming. However, the key is understanding that mastering a skill is a journey. Repetition is more than just doing the same thing over and over again. Deliberate practice is what makes the difference. The student must challenge him/herself to levels that are just beyond his/her current ability. Try new things, analyze performance, correct errors, then repeat and repeat again. Enjoy the journey; embrace the plateau, as one never knows when the light of automatic response may “click on”!
SELF-EVALUATION: While your instructor can guide and evaluate your progress, you too will have to self-evaluate your skill level, aptitude for and performance of various techniques. Ask yourself “Is this shot practical for me?” “Does it work from different lies or with different clubs?” “What are my limits with this shot?” “Can I execute this shot regularly?” etc.
EXPERIMENTATION: Greater depth of understanding, as well as knowledge, comes through experimenting. Once a technique is learned, apply it to different situations. For example: Use your stock pitch shot motion in a bunker, chip with your hybrid or use a descending approach with your driver. See what happens; you may find a new way to produce a reliable shot that can be used with confidence during your next round to save a shot or two.
The steps outlined above are interrelated and, when followed, will lead students of the game to the next level of performance. Following the guidance of an experienced instructor will ensure improvement and is at the heart of producing the IMPACT AWARE™ Golf instructional programs. I am honored to be part of this program and hope you consider joining us as we progress through your Best-Possible Golf.
Co-founder
The activity of learning has been analyzed thoroughly by many great minds that included many noted golf champions. An excellent example is Ben Hogan. He not only accomplished a year for the record books in 1953 by winning the three Major Championships he entered, he also wrote a noteworthy series of articles outlining what he considered to be the key fundamentals to learning a proficient golf swing. This series of articles later became well known as the book Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons – The Modern Fundamentals of Golf.
Hogan learned to master impact, and IMPACT AWARE™ teaching can put you on that same road.
I would like you to consider what I have found to be three truisms in learning to play golf.
- One must understand shot techniques before they can be used consistently while playing.
- Speed will not help if technique is not efficient.
- Knowing the ball flight laws provides a player with options.
Learning is a process that can be outlined. The steps within this process can be described as observation, technical knowledge, application/perseverance, repetition, self-evaluation and experimentation.
OBSERVATION: A student of this game will do well to focus when his/her coach or teacher explains and demonstrates. Attentive observation will often help the student avoid early mistakes that can lead to poor habits. Watching an expert demonstrate each technique can go far beyond the descriptive word. Many techniques are not easy to articulate. Watching intently, as well as listening, will greatly benefit the astute student.
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE: A highly skilled and qualified instructor is a must for students to fast track a complete understanding of technique. While this process cannot be rushed, clear and precise explanation and demonstration of what and why for specific golf shot techniques lays a complete and solid foundation for learning golf.
APPLICATION/PERSEVERANCE: Turning knowledge into action is critical in learning/retaining skills and techniques. Everyone learns at different rates…worthwhile pursuits begin with the first step, and goals are achieved one step at a time. Learning golf specific techniques completely requires time for both the knowledge and skill to “percolate” prior to fruition.
REPETITION: Proper learning of a technique requires repetition, a lot of repetition. Automation of a motor skill has been documented to require 10,000 repetitions. Well, that is more than ½ hour per week, and it may seem overwhelming. However, the key is understanding that mastering a skill is a journey. Repetition is more than just doing the same thing over and over again. Deliberate practice is what makes the difference. The student must challenge him/herself to levels that are just beyond his/her current ability. Try new things, analyze performance, correct errors, then repeat and repeat again. Enjoy the journey; embrace the plateau, as one never knows when the light of automatic response may “click on”!
SELF-EVALUATION: While your instructor can guide and evaluate your progress, you too will have to self-evaluate your skill level, aptitude for and performance of various techniques. Ask yourself “Is this shot practical for me?” “Does it work from different lies or with different clubs?” “What are my limits with this shot?” “Can I execute this shot regularly?” etc.
EXPERIMENTATION: Greater depth of understanding, as well as knowledge, comes through experimenting. Once a technique is learned, apply it to different situations. For example: Use your stock pitch shot motion in a bunker, chip with your hybrid or use a descending approach with your driver. See what happens; you may find a new way to produce a reliable shot that can be used with confidence during your next round to save a shot or two.
The steps outlined above are interrelated and, when followed, will lead students of the game to the next level of performance. Following the guidance of an experienced instructor will ensure improvement and is at the heart of producing the IMPACT AWARE™ Golf instructional programs. I am honored to be part of this program and hope you consider joining us as we progress through your Best-Possible Golf.
