"Common Golf Knowledge" Can Destroy Your Golf Game

Common Knowledge just might be hindering youabout." I can hear your mind racing now; "Start the
from improving your swing, causing you majorclub back online, turn don't sway, pull down with the
frustration and higher scores.left hand to start the down swing, transfer my
There is a lot of well meaning golf instruction in theweight to my left foot, roll my wrists at impact, head
market place today that simply will not help yourbehind the ball." YIKES! How can you even take the
game; in fact a lot of what's out there will hinder youclub back with all these mechanical thoughts you've
as you try to improve your golf.picked up over the years racing through your head?"
Controversial? Probably, but I think the positives ofThe answer to my question is ....you can't! You simply
letting people know the truth about some of thecannot swing the club effectively with all that
mis-information out there will far outweigh anygarbage running through your mind, distracting you
industry fall-out that I might receive from thosefrom what's most important.
instructors with stepped-on toes.It's sad, but absolutely true that thousands of people
When David Leadbetter or any other of a host ofquit the game we all love every year, most out of
golf instruction gurus tells his touring professionalsheer frustration.
student to "delay the rotation of the left hip", or toIf you have fallen into this trap of believing that
"increase the width of your swing at the top", "or tomechanical tips, swing analysis, and pounding golf ball
"delay the release as long as possible", or any otherafter golf ball on the driving range are the answers
"flavor of the day" type golf tips, he or she is talkingto your problems, you are destined to be frustrated
with someone who is a professional, who practicesforever. Golf should be fun not frustrating and when
hours on end, and who has an unbelievably acute feelyou learn to forget mechanics and start playing the
for their own golf swing. This person also plays golfgame via feel and sight, it will be fun and you'll shoot
for a living. This is a completely different scenariobetter scores. I guarantee it!
than trying to teach a low, mid, or high handicap"How do I do that", you ask?
player or a beginner. These types of tips canFirst you have to be able to differentiate fact from
absolutely wreak havoc on your golf swing.fiction when reading, listening to. or watching golf
Golf is a difficult game to play at the highest levels,instruction.
but, having said that, it is not a complicated game toNext, you have to forget all the theories, mechanical
play. Most modern day instruction is hard for me tothoughts, and myths and focus on what is important
understand and I've been teaching the game for 20to your game.
years. In order to excel, you have to free your mindThat's right, I said your game, not Tiger's, not Phil's,
of complicated mechanical thoughts and learn tonot Big John's but yours. Focus on the things that are
simply swing the golf club. Until you change the wayimportant for you to play better. Focus on your
you think about playing the game, change theswing path and the moment of truth..Impact. Tie
fundamental way you look at golf instruction, andswing path and impact into your target-line and you're
realize that you have to forget mechanics, you'llwell on your way to longer, straighter shots, and
never play up to your full potential as a golfer.lower scores.
"Forget mechanics", you ask, "why that's all I think