The movie Whiplash and golf and practice

For me practicing the easy shots is not a big deal. When ever I can, I sometimes will practice shots that I don't want to have to deal with when on the course. Tough, uneven  lies, chips/pitches with no green to work with.  A tree in my way. Stuff like that. Practicing those types of shots is not fun for me. It's extra work. However, when I leave myself those types of shots during an actual round, (as I often do) , I know how to handle them to a better degree than if I didn't practice them.

Later on today, at my own make shift range, I will be practicing with just my four metal woods, with the goal of landing the ball in a playable area for my next shot. It will be fun because I will be out doors, hitting golf balls at my own leisure. The fact that I will using an abandoned (gravel) parking area, that  might be some what amusing to others (WTH  is he doing? )  who drive by, won't bother me in the least.

Hogan has said he always enjoyed practicing. I'm inclined to agree with him. Nothing better than being out on the practice tee, besides actually playing.

There is a lot of new research that says the greatest improvement in any motor skill comes when we enjoy practice. Feeling like practice is work (rote repetition like hitting the same club to the same target over and over) may yield some results, but not as many as if you use drills and games that make practice feel fun.  Chances are you'll never see that exact same shot again in your life as the one you just hit 50 times, so repeating it may not have yielded that much benefit. Results come as a consequence of effective practice and learning routines.

Seems reasonable. But I have to believe you really appreciate success when you've had to sacrifice - a little anyway. Improvement seems more satisfying after overcoming some level of adversity. I guess in that way, even the frustration that sometimes comes with practice is part of the enjoyment of the entire process.

Appreciating success and actually experiencing are two different ideas.  If I want a player to have confidence that will stand up under pressure and enjoy what they do, I don't want them to struggle for very long at all. This from a guy who specializes to some degree in coaching junior golfers.  You can get a lot done if you practice the right way. The notion that we have to hit balls until our hands bleed like Hogan did is an antiquated concept and needs to be changed for more people to start improving and enjoy their golf.

I suppose everyone is different. I wouldn't think of trying to teach this game to others - fortunately, there are skilled instructors such as yourself to do that.

For some of us to improve, it takes more time than perhaps the average pupil. I no longer hold very high expectations of my game but I do expect a small amount of improvement each year. Personally, I get a great deal of enjoyment from practicing, whether its from the feeling of a well struck ball or viewing a recording of my swing where it shows even a little bit of improvement on the piece I'm working on.

Sometimes practice sessions - as well as rounds of golf - can be terribly frustrating. When I get to that point, I take a break knowing that the next time out, I'll have a different frame of mind. Often the piece that was impossible 2 hours prior suddenly becomes the easiest thing in the world to perform. There are probably others who experience this. Makes no difference whether we're talking about golf or learning a new chord progression on the guitar.

To me, it's part of the process which as a whole is very rewarding - otherwise I wouldn't participate.

Enjoying the process is extremely important but, respectfully, so is knowing how to practice properly. My experience is that the majority of golfers think golf swing = golf score, and focus way more on their mechanics than the ball flight or target when those things are really the objective in golf (especially when playing on the course). If you focus on your body too much, you loose natural balance, spatial awareness and timing necessary to hit solid shots and that's when the frustration starts.

The best thing you can do to make the process more rewarding and fruitful is see a good teacher in your area who can give you some effective drills, games and a practice plan to help you achieve your goals. If you find the right person, it will be money well spent. Best of luck!

As always, I appreciate the advice. When a 5sk instructor moves into this area, I'll be the first to give him/her a call.

We appreciate the loyalty :) Here's a good drill for everyone to start with this season: Practice by hitting batches of ten balls and attempt to keep as many of them on the right or left side of a target green/pin depending on your ball flight.  If you hit fades, try keeping the ball left of the flag, and the opposite for draws. Keep count and and do the same drill with different clubs. This is a very simple drill and you'll be able to track your percentages. You can also do it with your driver by creating different "fairways" on the range between targets. As long as your practice objectives are performance based and swing based, you'll make lots of progress. All the best.

That's funny stuff Mike. I should've mentioned that Whiplash was based on my wife's high school band director...apparently he had a very loyal following.

I think that there is also a maturity related willingness to defer gratification that is key.

We see it here all the time.  We see some guys get on here and are just looking for the mythical quick fix.  And then you see the serious guys who will bust their butts perfecting one critical part of their swing, even though they may be (temporarily) screwing up their swing because they understand that in the long run their game will be better.

In most things you inevitably come to the point where you have to take one step back before you can take 2 steps forward.  Too many people cannot see the 2 steps forward and so refuse to take the step back.