Learning to Ski versus learning to play golf.

[ShortOffTheTee]

I took up skiing this winter - mid December - and its the only sport/activity that I have attempted to learn since my teenage years. As you all know, I regard myself as a damn good golf coach, but having taken lessons from various ski instructors, their teaching methods have been quite an eye-opener for me regarding the KISS concept.

I dare say there are some - lets baffle him with science and he'll think I'm cleverer than most - out there, but the four instructors I have used so far have kept it very simple. To a man/woman, they have brought me to a skill level that I never thought could be attained in such a short time and although, performance-wise, there are peaks and troughs, traveling on red slopes at 40+ mph within 5 weeks (45 hours on the slopes) rarely falling or losing my balance seems remarkable.

The instructors don't dwell on stance and posture because they know most if not all students get it on their own. They don't methodically tell you how to grip your sticks/poles, they know you have a good natural tendency to do that instinctively. Balance isn't something that can be taught and they seem to understand that fully. They basically give a few pointers regarding ski positions and which edges to use along with good pole planting and let gravity take care of the rest

Therefore...

Is skiing a harder or easier sport to learn than golf?

Is it physically and mentally more or less challenging than golf.

Why do skiers begin to look pretty graceful after a few weeks and many golfers, no matter how long they play, never fall into that bracket?

Why didn't the ski instructors use super slow motion video and trackman to help me get to a particular proficiency level?

In truth, are we over complicating golf which in comparison is a rather simple sport to learn?

I say we should adopt a KISS approach to our game and perhaps golfers will then have as much fun on the fairways as skiers are having on the pistes.

[iacas]

Patrick, you're far too easily discovered.

[Golfingdad]

Too bad for him he didn't come here a week ago while ya'll were busy with the PGA show.  He might have actually survived a short while before being discovered.

[TimG3394]

You have a good eye, Erik.

[Jhwarren]

Hahaha would someone mind explaining this guy. His name is popping up everywhere.

[shooter]

LOL....Golf is harder!

Im sure you've seen the 5 year old's at the hill already just flying!

I'm been snowboarding my whole life. There isnt much to do in the winter time in canada, BC has the best ski conditions in the world! How can i not take advantage of it!?!

Back to topic....you'll be a great skier...Only if you like to scare yourself ( itll be often until you learn the basics) at least once in a while. One more thing, the consequence of a bad swing equals to a bogey, a bad turn or miss turn around a tree (or person) could have larger consequences!

That is all.,

Cheers!

[Ernest Jones]

Hahaha would someone mind explaining this guy. His name is popping up everywhere.

Jeez, where start?? Just type Patrick57 in the search bar, he should show up as a user. Once you find that click on threads started. Don't blame me.....

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

Too bad for him he didn't come here a week ago while ya'll were busy with the PGA show.  He might have actually survived a short while before being discovered.

Seriously.

And golf is harder, yes. Skiing is gravity assisted. :)

[mchepp]

Seriously. And golf is harder, yes. Skiing is gravity assisted. :)

Good point. In golf we are always fighting that pesky gravity. Think how long our drives would be if every hole was downhill.

[boogielicious]

Originally Posted by Jhwarren

Hahaha would someone mind explaining this guy. His name is popping up everywhere.

He is a troll with multiple personality disorder.  He changes IP addresses and comes to the forum under different names.  Then he posts some inane theory and debates anyone who answers the post in endless rhetorical blather.  Avoid him like the flu.

[Ernest Jones]

Originally Posted by boogielicious

He is a troll with multiple personality disorder.  He changes IP addresses and comes to the forum under different names.  Then he posts some inane theory and debates anyone who answers the post in endless rhetorical blather.  Avoid him like the flu.

Ha ha, wasn't he a chick one time too? I guess that would be called cross-posting?

[jamo]

I skied for 15 years and still never got past the pizza-pie stopping. I would still say golf is harder though. :-)

[JasonInRaleigh]

LOL @ the creative troll.

This thread is one of the more interesting I've read in my few weeks here. :) No offense to the technically loaded conundrums of form, posture, balance etc... posters.

To answer you "patrick"-  I think Golf would be easier learned if people viewed it as "playing a game or having fun "skiing" instead of "I have to F'ing get this swing perfect or I'll never ever be great..... swing.... AAaaaarrrghgggghhhh F!!!!!!"

Just my opinion.

[Ernest Jones]

Originally Posted by JasonInRaleigh

LOL @ the creative troll.

This thread is one of the more interesting I've read in my few weeks here. :) No offense to the technically loaded conundrums of form, posture, balance etc... posters.

To answer you "patrick"-  I think Golf would be easier learned if people viewed it as "playing a game or having fun "skiing" instead of "I have to F'ing get this swing perfect or I'll never ever be great..... swing.... AAaaaarrrghgggghhhh F!!!!!!"

Just my opinion.

Well then you should check out his back catalogue. There are some real gems in there!

[iamlegend]

Originally Posted by iacas

Seriously.

And golf is harder, yes. Skiing is gravity assisted. :)

And golf isn't? Try throwing a ball 250+ yards.

[Jhwarren]

Originally Posted by boogielicious

He is a troll with multiple personality disorder.  He changes IP addresses and comes to the forum under different names.  Then he posts some inane theory and debates anyone who answers the post in endless rhetorical blather.  Avoid him like the flu.

Haha. I looked through his history last night per Ernest's post.

When I'm on my death bed, I will definitely regret spending an hour of my life doing that.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by iamlegend

And golf isn't? Try throwing a ball 250+ yards.

Patrick (again): gravity assists a skiier. It doesn't "assist" the guy trying to throw a ball 250+ yards.

And I don't know what golf you play, but I don't throw the ball when I play. :)

[Clambake]

Originally Posted by iacas

And I don't know what golf you play, but I don't throw the ball when I play. :)

Then how do you get it out of a bunker?    :-)