Taking a break

[mmoan2]

Has anyone else found that taking a break for a while can help your swing? I just went to the range for the first time in about a month yesterday and hit the ball better than I can remember. My goal was to try and focus on not swaying my hips laterally and making a full turn with my hips and shoulders. I hit a bunch of half swings with my 8,6,4 iron, 3 hybrid and driver and was puring almost every ball. Just because I hadn't really hit balls in so long, I started hitting full shots and was really happy with not only the results, but the comfort level I felt hitting. When I was working on my swing diligently a month ago, trying to work on specific things, everything felt forced. I'm wondering if there's some science behind this "phenomenon." In a few days, I may be back to my hacking ways, but I hope not!

[boogielicious]

We call it "Winter" here in the Northeast.

[billchao]

Generally speaking, no. I find that taking a break while working on something just causes me to stop doing the new piece correctly. So in a way, contact can get temporarily better because I've reverted to my old compensations, but the old misses will be there, too. You may have run into a good ballstriking day; it can happen on the range and the course, but the next time out, you may struggle again. Even when I take a break from the range, I'll spend time practicing at home. You're going to hit poor shots when you are changing something and it's going to feel forced (because you are forcing yourself to change something).

[MrDC]

Yes, short breaks are good, I think it helps the body get stronger and clears the mind, it's like a reboot.

[mmoan2]

Generally speaking, no. I find that taking a break while working on something just causes me to stop doing the new piece correctly. So in a way, contact can get temporarily better because I've reverted to my old compensations, but the old misses will be there, too. You may have run into a good ballstriking day; it can happen on the range and the course, but the next time out, you may struggle again. Even when I take a break from the range, I'll spend time practicing at home.

You're going to hit poor shots when you are changing something and it's going to feel forced (because you are forcing yourself to change something).

I understand that I will hit poor shots when working on something, but I'm bringing my camera with me next time to see if I've reverted to old habits or if I've just become more comfortable with improved habits (not that I don't have a long way to go). I just don't understand, I guess, when "working" on your swing becomes analysis paralysis. I think a couple of days with absolutely no practice before playing a round where I want to score well is where I may go in the future. I'm sure guys on the forum here who played in high school, college, or on a tour could probably speak to this.

[mmoan2]

We call it "Winter" here in the Northeast.

After a year in Buffalo and five in Boston, I know what you mean. In Phoenix we call it "summer." I learned that after trying to play a round in 114 degree heat. Even after a gallon of Gatorade I spent the night puking with cramps so bad I couldn't make it to the toilet. Not sure if that or frostbite is worse.

[billchao]

I understand that I will hit poor shots when working on something, but I'm bringing my camera with me next time to see if I've reverted to old habits or if I've just become more comfortable with improved habits

Good idea. No way to tell for sure unless you see it. [quote name="mmoan2" url="/t/77959/taking-a-break#post_1072187"] I just don't understand, I guess, when "working" on your swing becomes analysis paralysis. [/quote]I never liked that phrase. Why should working on your swing become analysis parlysis? I imagine that happening when you're at a new restaurant or something and the menu has too many choices, so you kind of just sit there and stare. The only way I can see that happening is if you're focusing on too many details and not prioritizing properly. Focus on your priority. If one feel doesn't work well for you, try another. I can understand having frustrating sessions, but focus on the positives. Baby steps are small accomplishments, and small accomplishments are small successes, right? No paralysis in that. [quote name="mmoan2" url="/t/77959/taking-a-break#post_1072187"] I think a couple of days with absolutely no practice before playing a round where I want to score well is where I may go in the future. I'm sure guys on the forum here who played in high school, college, or on a tour could probably speak to this. [/quote]How are you practicing before a round? You should be warming up and hitting balls to targets, not working on mechanics. Even guys on tour hit the range before a round. There's a whole chapter on tournament prep in LSW that details how to make the most of your rounds.

[Patch]

I take breaks away from my game, but those breaks are usually no longer than 6-7 days at a time. I think it's a good idea to rest up, and let things settle down. I don't like the term "muscle memory", but taking a break allows "brain memory" to regroup. Once rested, the brain will send cleaner messages to all the muscles that swing the golf club.

[Jameson]

For me it works better to train hard than taking a rest. Unless I´m in a really hard moment and want to give up golf (only very excepctional moments). Just my opinion.

[lumpuckeroo]

I find it helps me.  I tend to play my best golf in the spring and early summer after taking a break (called winter).  Kind of the way a round of golf goes for me also, I'm usually a fast starter and fade in the end.