Patrick57

I would beg to differ Mike, but as 5 Keys is only concerned with the 5 iron swing and Bubba's driver is what I have observed then I don't really have an argument unless you think the 5K's hold up with his driver.

Or Sensory Awareness! I'm looking forward to getting back onto the fairways this season and working hard on some fun awareness exercises that quickly improve my golf swing. There are many that I use but my favourite is probably the drill I call, 'seeing the arc'. I usually do this with a nine iron at first and start by swinging the club without a ball. At first I intentionally don't make contact with the turf and swish the club slightly above it. My first task is to be aware of the path the club head is following. For me this is 'In to Out' and I will adjust this until its something between 3-5°. I will then turn my attention to the club face and heighten my awareness by specifying if the face is open prior to impact and progressively closing through this arc. Once I can pick up these fine details, I will begin swishing my club through the turf and expect to see the path and face details every bit as clear. Normally this takes at most 5-10 swings to master and I also get up to my desired swing speed. I now add a ball to the equation and also use some feedback numbers. I take a practice swing and from 1-5 rate how well I was able to see the arc through impact with the grass and also the club head conditions. With the practice swing this is normally a 5. Now I address the ball, take a swipe at it and what usually happens is my awareness for seeing these two conditions drops to a 1 or 2. What's wrong with my eyes? The swing without a ball, I can see everything crystal clear but with it as part of the process, I begin experiencing levels of blindness. Why? Its simple really, my concentration has been diverted to swing results, e.g. the ball's flight, instead of what I intend to experience. I do however persevere and before too long I can see the arc clearly with the ball. When I get to this stage my ball striking reaches very satisfactory levels. However, have I been working on improving my swing? Definitely! I have subconsciously given my body the task of creating a swing path between 3-5° in to out and of being alert to the angle of the club face through impact. As I am a sweeper, any deep divots will obscure the clarity of these conditions.This drill is a very effective learning tool and because a high level of awareness is required, deep lasting learning takes place. I have been working with these awareness drills for many years and I also use them when I am playing on the course. This video has some good slow motion stuff with a driver and nine iron showing the arc and conditions I am able to see at top speed... [video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t122Y0SuRi8[/video] P.S. There is also some rubbish on it but the slow motion stuff is OK

I was just wondering, will our course be the last to open for season 2012 on this forum? It looks like I'll be back at work by next Friday, 20th April. Unfortunately that will leave me less time to get shoved into the Penalty Box We have had over six feet of snow on the ground here for over 3 months and I managed to learn Nordic skiing to keep me fit over the winter. The snow has almost gone from the golf course and since last Thursday the greenkeepers were able to get started with the pre-season clear up. There's still a huge mound of artificial snow waiting to be carted away from our third fairway, although it has melted quite considerably on its own I am expecting a load of golfers queuing up to learn the Bubba Birling Blast from me. I am now officially instructing using the BBB technique. Finally, I have decided to stick with the same trusty seven clubs, use my three protectors for putting, improve my student's and my game using 'inside-out' coaching, stick with the OBFL but I will take into consideration that severe face angles effect flight path more than I thought, try to play without fear, use NJF 85% of the time and JF 15%, extract the student's natural swing avoiding getting too technical and finally, try to finish reading TGM (the Homer Simpson version) by October. Here's to the next 'Manifesting Plane'.

I can't think of a country or continent that could possibly make an argument for holding a major. However, if it were to be decided on beauty and prize money then South Africa would probably be my choice. By pure volume of golfers, I would choose Japan. For the amount of major winners in recent times and the fact that half of the western world seems to have originated from there, I would choose Ireland. To give the honour to a country with a big chip on its shoulder, I would choose Germany. And finally because the game will probably be dominated by them as soon as they learn how to grow, I would give it to China

I never say right or wrong or good or bad, so Me: How much did you rotate your head? Your daughter: 3 Me: 5 D: Really Me: I am just saying what I saw. D: Funny it felt like a 3. So what you see as a 5 feels like a 3 to me. I'll swing again D: 3 Me: 4 Another swing D: 3 Me: 3 Swing D: 2 Me: 2 Swing D: 1 Me 1 And now we move on to something else. NJF is very effective but once you start using words like 'wrong' the feedback is no longer NJ. Easy really. [quote name="tristanhilton85" url="/t/56367/is-judgemental-feedback-advantageous/36#post_696380"] Wouldn't it be quicker just to tell her that it was a 5 to start and if she felt something different she could tell you that? [/quote] The student learns much quicker if her feedback is allowed to be taken into consideration and this means she talks first. If you smother this - as is done in the widespread teaching methods - you are hindering student improvement levels.

Anxious: aflutter, nervous, edgy, ill at ease, insecure, jittery, jumpy, nervy, perturbed, queasy, tense, troubled, uneasy, upset, uptight, worried. [quote name="iacas" url="/t/56719/i-used-to-play-this-game-with-fear/54#post_695915"] If you were allowed to have a signature, that should be it. It's very simple: not everyone is exactly like you. I'd venture to guess that most people aren't even mostly like you. [/quote] Its called individuality: character, identity, individualism, personality, selfhood, self-identity [quote name="teamroper60" url="/t/56719/i-used-to-play-this-game-with-fear/54#post_695959"] Truer words have not been typed in this thread........ [/quote] In opposition to a Yes-man...one who endorses or supports without criticism every opinion or proposal of an associate or superior [quote name="Bullitt5339" url="/t/56719/i-used-to-play-this-game-with-fear/54#post_695966"] You just don't get it dude. Either you're the most fearful person I've ever met, or you simply don't understand the difference in the definitions of Pressure, Anxiety and Fear. Feeling pressure is normal in all aspects of life. It may be to finish that term-paper in college, or to wow the boss with a great product right around time for evaluation reports. You are using all 3 as synonyms, and that's simply not true. Pressure doesn't lead to fear or vice-versa, they are indeed two separate entities. People who allow pressure to lead to anxiety and/or fear have separate problems. Pressure is normal. Anxiety is not normal, and is an by-product of not handling stress well. Anxious and Anxiety are also different, unlike what was posted before. You can be anxious to go try out that new driver, but if it is causing you anxiety, that is not a normal response. If you feel anxiety by anything that happens on the course, quit golf. Anxiety is not healthy. Fear is a raw emotion, the definition was posted above, but needless to say, fear is not something you should ever experience on the course...... Well, except that one time at Waterway Hills when I pushed the ball into a ditch and went to hit it and there was a cottonmouth guarding my ball. When I tried to scare him away, he came after me. I have to say that caused me a little fear, but fear due to impending shots on the course should never happen. [/quote] Pressure: stress, strain, tension Anxious: aflutter, nervous, edgy, ill at ease, insecure, jittery, jumpy, nervy, perturbed, queasy, tense, troubled, uneasy, upset, uptight, worried. Anxiety: anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, disquiet, fear, nervosity, nervousness, unease, uneasiness, worry Fear: alarm, anxiety, dread, fearfulness, fright, horror, panic, trepidation Anxious, anxiety and fear more or less mean the same and pressure is a build up of fear, concern, nervousness, uneasiness, worry, care, panic etc. We can all play around with words. Many golfers care so they get anxious and then the pressure builds up.

You're not going to go away are you. OK I suck you're right. But my students don't suck. The system sucks. Their improvement would be better without 'outside-in' interference.

My results are as good as any ones. That I am not happy with the interference that exists is another matter. Don't be reading what I wrote as what you want to believe to be true. I'm not here to push my skills, I'm here to discuss golf coaching and how students learn.

I think you are answering all of my threads in one go here. [quote name="saevel25" url="/t/56813/instruction-too-technical/18#post_695586"] But to claim instruction is to technical, it can be. Some great players have never recovered there swings after changing them. Other players like Nick Price went on to a hall of fame career after revamping his swing. Its really depends on the player, his swing, and the instructor. Its not as simple as just making that generalizing comment, its very individual on if something gets to techinical or not. [/quote] 99.9% of golf when you are playing has nothing to do with micro technology or at least I hope you haven't got any of that stuff in your head. 99% of learning to play/swing better also has nothing to do with the geeky stuff.

I must be weaker than most. [quote name="Apotheosis" url="/t/56719/i-used-to-play-this-game-with-fear/54#post_695849"]There is nothing to be afraid of even if that 6 footer is for the Fed Ex cup. Pressure =/= fear. [/quote] Its fear of failure! Its fear of looking bad or stupid. [quote name="Anjew" url="/t/56719/i-used-to-play-this-game-with-fear/54#post_695851"] (psst guys, seriously, why do we continue to humour him by responding to his posts? Why not just let them die, and go to the bottom, and disappear forever?) [/quote] Because its a discussion forum, lads! Do you have another point perhaps on this theme.? [quote name="Bullitt5339" url="/t/56719/i-used-to-play-this-game-with-fear/54#post_695863"] Risks on the golf course don't have any REAL consequences on the rest of my life, so no... I don't have anxiety or fear over a risky golf shot. It either happens and I get high fives, or it goes awry and I laugh and say: "I told you I should lay up". Either way, it's not fear, because there are no real consequences. I got a double bogey instead of a par........ whoopie. So for a 3rd time: If you feel fear or anxiety on the golf course, you're taking things way too seriously and need to evaluate your priorities in life. It's a game, and is supposed to be enjoyed, not feared. If that 6' putt was required to feed my family for the week, maybe I would feel some anxiety, but I play for enjoyment and not as a means to provide for my family. [/quote] But golf is a microcosm of life. Your life starts on the first hole - the beginning of your game - and ends on the 18th. Along the way you experience many different emotions, joy, sadness, anger, fun, sorrow, elation and many more. At the beginning of the round you play cautiously, by the middle of the round you have more trust and faith in your ability and by the end of the round, depending on your results you look back on how you lived the experience. Its that type of game. Many games are like that but golf is very special for many people. I experience most every day feelings when I play golf and fear is just one of them. I find it hard to understand that I am almost alone in this but 'C'est la vie'

Bulliit, we got off on the wrong foot. Your definition of fear and mine are different ball parks but as I said in another post, if you take risks on the course then the very wording hints towards anxiety or fear. If you don't take risks then you are playing a boring game that doesn't sound like fun to me.

I don't really get your first paragraph and come to think of it I don't get you 2nd paragraph. Big risk - some fear. No risk - no fear. Correction: No risk no chance of playing an extraordinary golf game.

Yes you have a point there but do you just accept bad results or do you not really care. You must have played below your expectations in the middle of a round and felt disappointed. Perhaps your bravado is a cover up. Sounds like it to me.

[quote name="Th3R00st3r" url="/t/56719/i-used-to-play-this-game-with-fear/36#post_695773"] THIS! HAHA. I wouldn't call it fear but more of the anxiety of looking like a moron. [/quote] I call it the fear of looking stupid in the OP [quote name="Th3R00st3r" url="/t/56719/i-used-to-play-this-game-with-fear/36#post_695773"] As you progress and get better, that feeling diminishes because you know what to do and what the ball should do. [/quote] You really think so. I have been playing for over 40 years and I can count my fearless competitive rounds in one hand, the ones where I hadn't surrendered to a submissive state. I wish I knew your secret. You don't sound like a Replicant as you once felt fear playing golf.

I must admit I enjoy posts like this. No substance and a poor attempt at humour.

I think its clear that everyone feels fear on the golf course. Not bullet dodging fear but certainly some lesser anxieties.

Calm down, calm down. Its golf we're talkin' about.

Well if we're only allowed to talk about fear when we've been on a battlefield, then I shouldn't be mentioning it. However there are different levels of fear and different types. Does the fear that a golfer feels when he has a 6' birdie putt compare to the emptying streets in Bagdad, probably not. But its still a type of fear.

Exactly. Explaining a movement with micro science. They'll be writing books next telling infants how to walk to a 1/10 of a degree precision. Careful logman, they'll be thinking I hired you. I'm not sure if the forum has time for people who have different ideas about the game and the way it should be taught. I have thick skin and I will listen to any rebuttals but you are right, there is too much vehemence towards people with a different view. The site has many live guests but few members, does that say something?

PEANUTS

Au contraire! You've been seriously added to my Replicant list.

Key 1 is concerned with 'head movement' and claims on average tour pros etc etc 1" of movement back swing and less down swing. Not according to these pictures... TIGER WOODS LUKE DONALD RORY MCILROY These three are going to have to work on that inch from Key 1. Is it my eyes or are the head movements even greater on the down swing, or were you just talking about lateral head movement. Although that's also greater than the back swing movement. Here's another one... LEE WESTWOOD You don't even need to draw lines for Westwood. Give Lee a call, get him onto Key 1. And now my personal favourite... BUBBA WATSON But here's a good example of Key 1... PATRICK57 OK I move more than an inch on the back swing but through impact perfect. Those golfers could learn perfect Key 1 conditions from me. Could they not? I'm doing it right and they're doing it wrong, right? Key 2 has always baffled me. I can't accept that 80-95% of pressure - not weight or fear factor - is on the left foot at impact. Another sophisticated machine thing probably. How can this be when the upper/main mass of the body is moving away from the target at impact. I think these two pros defy this logic considerably. RICKY FOWLER BUBBA WATSON Again they should copy my conditions above if they want to get their weight more left at impact. This was my swing about ten years ago when I thought weight forward was correct. Can you please clarify why these pros seem to be ignoring Keys 1 & 2 and then I may be able to continue to understand or accept Key 3?

Do you really believe that. Even Mike warns him, "Also understand when you take it to the course there will be some regression, just natural." I would rather hear from Parker after the honeymoon period is over and he should know about quick fixes. They work because we heighten our attention to something and this attention can feel like magic but this attention always recedes and stops working and you have to look for the next miracle cure. I can believe he has improved his takeaway but its his lack of attention to this that caused his problems in the first place. He said, "I don't know how the "Over Forearm Rotating" had worked it's way into my swing but it was causing a lot of problems and had to be contributing to my losing distance over the last year or so." There are swing faults and attention faults, I believe Parker's attention is his biggest problem and he should work on this important attribute.

A: Accept - one of the hardest parts to recognise. W: Watch - that's the first step in the combat. Intention: I intend to get to know my fear when it appears. A: Act - or action. Commitment: did I stick to my intention or did I get sidetracked. R: Repeat - I'm guessing here but repeat would be my best stab at it. E: Evaluate - Are those numbers dropping? Another guess but E is also in the method I use. This method takes the position that you have already recognised that fear exists in your game and that the remedy is something that needs repeated practice. R could mean something else but as I was saying I'm guessing... I - Intention. I intend to work on my fear factor on the course by keeping my attention on its intensity. C - Commitment. I know I committed to my intention because I was able to rate the level of intensity E - Evaluation. What are the feedback numbers from 1 to 10 on the course compared to driving range etc. ICE that fear but not like a Replican or Iceman. In other words... earn it!

No need to apologise! Immediate results just mean that you have incorporated a quick fix. You should know this but I'll tell you anyway... Don't get too excited its only going to last for at most another two rounds. I bet you even said, "that's it, I've got it" a couple of dozen times. Sounds like you. So you've found a magic move that's going to last for another two games at most and then you are going to have to wait for the next quick fix. Get real. I just know you read this! Angry huh! P.S. I'm glad you are working on your take away like I said from the beginning!