Watching the Pro players messes with my mind

[Pretzel]

My mind is affected watching professional golfers in that I often end up convinced that golf must really be easy, all I need to do is hit more greens and make some putts and I ought to be nearly at the level they're playing at.

Then I go out onto the course and realize the absurdity of what I was thinking.

[gatsby47]

Every year, just prior to the start of the new golf season, I reread the Natural Golf Swing by George Knudson and watch a mesmerizing repeating loop of a video showing George's swing over and over again.  Some of Jack's golf my way videos provide the same over and over and over from all different angles and directions the same swing.  I suspect that it is self hypnotic ( or it puts you to sleep). At any rate, my very minor point is that after lessons with my pro, I now, just try to swing like George and make the effortless swing through to the finish and have the ball be in the way of the swing.  I would NEVER try to impose anything I do upon anyone.  But if you like Inbee's swing, get a hold of a bunch of her swings and reel them off again and again and go the range with no other swing thought than how she is balanced throughout. Your brain might even let you swing a wee bit like that.

[Hatchman]

Yep, always has.  Doesn't matter what sport.  From watching all stars like Willy McCovey, Billy Cunningham, Eric Dickerson, and Phil Michelson makes me want to try and play.  

[gregsandiego]

5 hours ago, Lihu said:

She "only" hits about 237 according to Annika, but 254 in her official stats. She looks pretty relaxed and has a 93% driving accuracy stat!

http://www.lpga.com/players/inbee-park/82866/stats

 

Relaxed is right. I hear the commentators saying she could work on more back swing for more club head speed. But why mess with it.

[Jakester23]

I definitely like watching it but I don't try to pick up to much from their swings. It's hard to emulate them when I'm no where near as flexible or strong as they are. It's cool see how many different swings achieve amazing results.

[Lihu]

2 hours ago, Pretzel said:

My mind is affected watching professional golfers in that I often end up convinced that golf must really be easy, all I need to do is hit more greens and make some putts and I ought to be nearly at the level they're playing at.

Then I go out onto the course and realize the absurdity of what I was thinking.

That's why I don't watch golf.

Of course, I'd think you are in a much better position to be able to emulate their game play.

 

42 minutes ago, gregsandiego said:

Relaxed is right. I hear the commentators saying she could work on more back swing for more club head speed. But why mess with it.

She already hits 253 yards on courses that have an average 370 yard par 4 hole, not much sense in getting more yardage possibly well off the fairways especially the way she plays from 130 and in which is anywhere within putting distance incredibly up to 25 feet. (There's no WOW emoticon.)

 

33 minutes ago, Jakester23 said:

I definitely like watching it but I don't try to pick up to much from their swings. It's hard to emulate them when I'm no where near as flexible or strong as they are. It's cool see how many different swings achieve amazing results.

Yeah, it is. . .

[Pretzel]

1 hour ago, Lihu said:

That's why I don't watch golf.

Of course, I'd think you are in a much better position to be able to emulate their game play.

I only watch it when I'm working at the course (it's always on in the clubhouse) and during the majors. Then I usually go out and re-humble myself after my shift is over. I may be in a slightly better position to play like them, but there's still quite the gulf between the pros and I. 

[Lihu]

1 hour ago, Pretzel said:

I only watch it when I'm working at the course (it's always on in the clubhouse) and during the majors. Then I usually go out and re-humble myself after my shift is over. I may be in a slightly better position to play like them, but there's still quite the gulf between the pros and I. 

There's a bigger gulf between most players and you too.

 

[mvmac]

On 3/5/2017 at 7:09 AM, treebound said:

Sometimes when watching golf on tv or when watching other people swing a club on a course or at a driving range, I try to pick up on things that might help me improve my own version of a golf swing.

Quick suggestion, rather than trying to spot different traits, look for the commonalities. Furyk, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, all their swings look different yet they all work, why is that? I'd say there are a lot of similarities, especially with the "big picture" pieces.

On 3/5/2017 at 7:09 AM, treebound said:

I think if I posted a video of me swinging like her I'd probably get all sorts of suggestions to change and fix it. 

I don't know, her swing is pretty darn good, awesome downswing.

[Spyder]

I had an eye opening experience last Summer when I made it to the Bridgestone WGC at Firestone in Akron, OH. Being 5 feet away from Bubba, Spieth, Furyk, etc. was something that I'll never forget. I remember going to the range the very next day and I had a chuckle to myself about just how effortless and fluid their swings look. All of these thoughts as I'm sweating and muttering/cussing under my breath when a shot goes errant. It was definitely a self-imposed mind trap that I couldn't get out of for a while.

[HitAndGiggle]

I think Inbee's swing is pretty good. Look carefully. Her shoulder turn back is very good. She does kind of lift the club into position then pulls the trigger. But overall...I like it. It's not your classic swing. But, there's a lot of good in that form. She's a badass golfer, too. She'd take my money on my best day...

7 hours ago, Spyder said:

I had an eye opening experience last Summer when I made it to the Bridgestone WGC at Firestone in Akron, OH. Being 5 feet away from Bubba, Spieth, Furyk, etc. was something that I'll never forget. I remember going to the range the very next day and I had a chuckle to myself about just how effortless and fluid their swings look. All of these thoughts as I'm sweating and muttering/cussing under my breath when a shot goes errant. It was definitely a self-imposed mind trap that I couldn't get out of for a while.

Haha...I bet it's humbling watching those guys close up. Years ago I went to the Senior event when it used to come to El Macero Country Club, nearby. I remember watching one of the top-rated pros at the time smash a killer drive right down the chute while half a granola bar was still entering his mouth. Haha! All those guys were driving into 4-ball groupings within about a 30-foot circle in the middle of the fairway. Amazing. I hope to take my son to the Napa PGA event in the fall. 

[DaveP043]

18 hours ago, Spyder said:

 and I had a chuckle to myself about just how effortless and fluid their swings look. 

I believe that balance is the key difference between "them" and us mortals, and the balance seems to be a byproduct of good mechanics.  Their mechanics are so sound that they stay well-balanced while achieving really high clubhead speeds, while most of us are "working" to hit the ball.  I've been close to the pros on a range, and the consistent contact is amazing, and they're not just "smoothing" it.  They're swinging pretty hard, but good mechanics and good balance make it look effortless.

[Spyder]

7 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

I believe that balance is the key difference between "them" and us mortals, and the balance seems to be a byproduct of good mechanics.  Their mechanics are so sound that they stay well-balanced while achieving really high clubhead speeds, while most of us are "working" to hit the ball.  I've been close to the pros on a range, and the consistent contact is amazing, and they're not just "smoothing" it.  They're swinging pretty hard, but good mechanics and good balance make it look effortless.

Yep, that's the key. The repetition of excellence (consistency through grueling hours of practice) makes everything that they do appear to be effortless, however it is all but effortless. I'm content being an weekend hack avid golfer who gets out 1-2x per week at this point, but I can sure as hell appreciate the work these guys put in. It's quite a treat to see in person as well, so long as the next time you hit the course you do not subconsciously hold yourself to the standards you witnessed!

Edited March 14, 2017 by Spyder