EFFECTIVE PRACTICE PROTOCOLS
Several years ago the PGA conducted a study on 1,000 golfers of average ability. They wanted to determine the effect of 1 hour of practice. Each golfer was scored on all aspects of the game after a short warm up. The same golfers were then allowed 1 hour of practice on their own prior to being re-tested for the same skills. The results showed that only 10% of those tested showed improvement. That may not come as much of a surprise, but what if I told you that 50% of those golfers tested got significantly worse! While the remaining 40% showing no change in performance levels at all.
This study illustrates the importance of ‘effective practice’. With 90% of golfers either remaining the same or getting worse, and only 10% actually getting better it begs the question, why practice at all? It turns out that neuroscientists have been studying elite performers practice habits for years. The recipe for success remains the same whether you’re playing a musical instrument or swinging a golf club. Research has demonstrated that introducing “deliberate difficulty” into practice as well as constant variety between different skills helps the brain encode information at a much deeper level. It turns out it’s not so much how “much” you practice that counts but rather “how you practice” that is the difference maker.
The worse way to practice is by all accounts the most intuitive. Doing the same thing over and over again makes sense but it turns out that hitting hundreds of seven irons in a row to the same target or dozens of uphill putts from 5 feet in most cases does more harm than good.
It’s always been clear to me that what happens between coaching sessions is as important as what is happening during a session. But understanding exactly how to practice in order to transfer those skills to the golf course (where it counts) is the key to getting the most out of golf lessons.
The science of effective practice
The Science of Effective practice is explained extraordinarily well in this Ted video “How to practice effectively…for just about anything!” By Annie Bosler and Done Greene. It explains perfectly how practice affects the inner workings of our brains.
The difference between success and failure is in my experience determined by what the golfer practices between coaching sessions. While the amount of practice is important, it’s not the deciding factor as to whether a golfer will be successful or not. It’s the reason that I lay out specific practice protocols for all my students. Each training plan is customized based on the golfer’s time and inclination to practice, as well as their specific goals and timelines. While my students hold me accountable for helping them with their games. I hold my students accountable for practicing effectively between lessons. Reciprocity is a key component to success in any relationship, and that certainly applies to the golf coach/player as well.