Golf is a game made up of smaller, very important games.
Each game can have fundamentals that are important to all the others. Also, each game has unique demands that make golf a beautiful blend of finesse, grace, power and agility. I have lived 62 years and played golf for 55 years, and it is more fun today than ever. I have been fortunate to play and practice with the # 1 Player in the world and many of the Top 25 players in the world.
Today, I am both a student of the game and still a competitor. I enjoy learning how to be a better teacher/coach and a better player. The benefit of this pursuit is the discovery of freedom from many restrictions and roadblocks to success in golf.
Success in golf can be defined in different ways as success in life is very unique and personal to us individually. The success I want for you and me is not in the perfect swing or victory over the opponent. The success I want for us is the freedom of our body to perform in our individual style the desired golf shot.
Today, I focus on putting.
When I go to the busy community park with my grandchildren, the swing set is always a favorite place. Imagine the swing set with five swings, we wait our turn. A swing in the middle becomes available. My 2-year-old needs a gentle nudge to start her. After that, she knows to stretch her legs and lean back to increase her height. She now experiences fluid, flowing and effortless sensations.
This is found in a putt, chip, pitch and a full golf swing. As she pendulums back and forth, she goes up and down with the natural acceleration of G-Force at the bottom of the swing. Also, we trust the pendulum swing that the other children will not collide with each other.
Golf is mentally simpler than many golfers make it.
Golf is physically less demanding than many golfers have ever experienced. I feel great joy daily when students trust the fundamentals and have this manifest in their game.
By Doug Weaver
Carolina’s PGA Teacher of the Year, Doug Weaver is the Director of Instruction at the Palmetto Dunes Golf Academy. (866) 455-6890 or go to www.palmettodunes.com for more information.