Is it possible to get to get golf advice overload?

[Wisconsin Golfer]

Kind of makes a person goes like this->


Cool video, WORST-SHOT-EVER

[PiKapp23]

I currently read 3 golf magazines on a regular basis, numerous golf related website and watch The Golf Channel religiously. I have also read several golf instructional books. It's easy to get overloaded and confused with all the instructional information, theories and advice. A few years ago I read and listened to everything and took it to heart. Now, I will not read an instructional article or book on a part of the swing that I am not having trouble with or that I am currently working on something specific with so that I don't get confused. Part of the problem is that all of these people seem to have completely different idea about what is right. Also, often the ideas and theories are almost the same, but the 'language' is different. They are simply saying it in a way that is different and thus puts is interpretted differently by the reader/watcher.

If I am struggling in a certain part of my game, I will read/watch stuff about this, but once I decide on something I stick with it for a while and try it out, doing my best to not let other ideas confuse or distract me. If it doesn't work after a while, I may try something else. I often think this is part of the reason so many players do not get better. They have too much conflicting info to think about and when they get frustrated they just add more to make it worse than better.

[lumpuckeroo]

I get the magazines but never read the instruction, it's too much to retain and fills my head with stuff I can't use.

[flopdarock]

since its winter... ive been suffering from this at the moment... overload and no way to release it... sounds like a personal problem

[OldDog66]

Here are some non-instructional golf books, I've enjoyed:

By John Feinstein:

The Majors
A Good Walk Spoiled
Tales from Q School

Mark Frost:

the Match
The Greatest Game Ever Played
Grand Slam

Rick Reilly:
Who's Your Caddy

[Brendan]

yes it is possible to get a golf advice overload because you would be thinking about too much whilst hitting your swing and it could ruin your game

[squaddie]

I was definitely overloaded with the mechanics of the golf swing and tips right after my second golf lesson (last year). Initially I was swinging OK and then after trying to think too much during my swing I developed a horrible slice. I kept reading up on more slice-correction techniques and tips and made the slice even worse, and my posture had become very rigid and tense.

At my lesson two weeks ago the pro told me to forget all the details and tips, put Hogan's book on the shelf, and just start over, and swing at the ball like a maniac, with the pro making adjustments here and there while I swung. I started to loosen up, pivot and transfer my weight better, and overall swing more effectively, the slicing tendency being reduced.

Now I just focus on keeping my golf swing a simple process as possible: address, coil up, and then unleash the coil, without thinking too much about the details. If I run into any problems I'll have another lesson and see if I allowed any defect to creep into the process.

[worst_shot_ever]

Everytime I start reading another "Ben Hogan's Secret" thread, I screw up my swing trying to incorporate into my swing the secret that the internet experts tell me he used for his. Doesn't stop me from reading those threads, though!

[imtomtomim]

well, like pikapp23, I read all the instruction articles I can find as well as watching golf channel, you tube, and anything else I can get my hands on. Since I don't have time to religiously practice every day, I make sure i'm reading these, especially the day before a round. The importance of these articles is not to follow exactly what they are trying to tell you since, not only are they written in a different kind of rhetoric but sometimes offer conflicting advice. It's important to understand what makes these techniques work. That way, when I get onto the course and something isn't right, I can pretty much correct it by the next swing. For example, if my ball striking is off, something is probably wrong with my posture, be it my neck not in neutral position, or overextending, or taking the club on the wrong line, body not moving in one piece, etc. Having this information with me helps me to understand what mistakes are caused by what and what is necessary to do to correct it.

However, I can see how an abundance of literature can be overwhelming. Just remember, the golf swing is athletic, and athleticism is based on the mechanics of the body. If you are trying to do something to your body that is uncomfortable, it's probably not right and you're probably misunderstanding the literature.