How long does it take you to ingrain a new change to your swing?

[plugged]

A few years ago I took a three-day lesson at the Butch Harmon School of Golf and one of the instructors there who has worked with several pros said that the pros usually have to hit at least 2-3K balls to adapt even the smallest changes into their swing. And this is considering that their fundamental swings are already incredibly good.

The reason I ask this is that for the first time in my life I feel comfortable with my swing and I have been going to the range at least 2-3X per week for the past 3 months to make sure I don't forget what I have learned recently (most self-taught). After probably hitting 1,500 balls, I still have to think about what I am doing on every step. IOW, it is not part of my muscle memory yet. How many balls do you have to hit with a change in your swing before you don't have to really think about it anyomre?

[TMO]

Goodness. That's a hard question. I think that each golfer is different. I don't know about that 2-3K balls to adapt to a change though. I think the more closely you monitor your swing - video - the faster that you are going to be able to train your body.

Personally, it takes me about 300-400 well monitored balls to make a major swing change and a couple hundred at most to make a minor swing change. Keep in mind, that assumes that what I am trying to do I actually am doing. If you are not, then the ball amount could be infinite.

[plugged]

Personally, it takes me about 300-400 well monitored balls to make a major swing change and a couple hundred at most to make a minor swing change.

If it only takes 300-400 practice shots to make a change in your swing and commit it to muscle memory to the point that you don't have to consciously think about it at all when you address the ball, I am pretty impressed. That is only about 4-5 range sessions.

Maybe I am just slow.

[TMO]

Wow. You hit a ton of balls per range session. It takes me about an hour to an hour and a half to hit 30 balls. Like I said, I monitor my swing very, very closely. I literally hit two or three shots and then go back and check my video. I do not want to practice the wrong thing at any point. THAT slows you down.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I changed a part of my swing to make it more flat back in october and the change didnt start to take root to about 5 or 6 weeks ago. Went from hitting hard draws and hooks to a soft fade with most of my shots. Its a frustrating process because your fighting your own instincts. What also sucks about swing changes is that you cant work on another part of it until the current change is completed. My takeaway needs work, too.

[plugged]

Wow. You hit a ton of balls per range session. It takes me about an hour to an hour and a half to hit 30 balls. Like I said, I monitor my swing very, very closely. I literally hit two or three shots and then go back and check my video. I do not want to practice the wrong thing at any point. THAT slows you down.

Difference is, with a +3 HC, you are in the refinement stage. I am still very much a work in progress.

[whip_it_out]

I've been working on a swing change for 2 months, and it's only starting to come around. I haven't gotten any range time, though. 105 plus humidity is enough to keep me inside.

[TMO]

Difference is, with a +3 HC, you are in the refinement stage. I am still very much a work in progress.

Honestly, I started that version of practicing back when I was a lot higher handicap and that is what I use for my wife too. It's not about how many balls you beat but how well you beat them.

(yes, inuendo's are intentional)

[enduro]

Different changes can take different time. It's really painful sometimes because what you're trying to do isn't quite working consistently yet but you know it can work. And you know a teacher made this adjustment and when you started using it there was success. But it is so easy to regress into old habits but you can't. Just need to commit and keep practicing the new swing mechanic.

But only do a small thing at a time. I've had a habit of taking on too much and just messing everything up. You need reference points.