Developing own learning program

I am thinking of planning my "road map" to golf glory. I started golf last August and next summer I am planning to play a lot. Goal is to drop my HDC from 47 to singles. (This I say with out understanding what it will take to have a handicap under ten. I have been able to play only 5 times.)

I think to learn to play golf, I need a plan that progresses step by step - a kind of training and learning program for different periods. First the winter time, when I have to practice inside and then maybe April - May, June - July and ultimately the time when I master this art:-)

Would this be something that other would be interested in discussing? I am interested in my skills. (me - me - me).

This has some interest to the people on the list - comment please. And lets see how could we make the most of it.

Hannu
Jyväskylä, Finland

ps. I am 47 years old, but I think I still can learn.

Hi,
it might be difficult to comment on a vague idea. If I just start writing, it might explain what I am trying to do - and it might interest someone to comment.

I think I will set up a new site for my "public training program and diary" at httP://xo4us.blogspot.com

(I hope that discussion will be on this forum to keep things compacted. Writing a development plan will take some time and I to be able to control it - so that is reasonable to publish on an other site.)

Hannu,
Jyväskylä
Finland

Hi Hannu,

There are simple programs already written a thousand times over, they all come down to the same thing.

Take a lesson every six weeks, work on what you are told and nothing else, should take about a season to get the basics down, then its up to your mental ability to score well and play the game.

Remember 40% of the game is putting so work hard.

Never work on your swing when playing the game.........................this is the best tip I have ever recieved.


Hope this helps in your mission


Ian.

I've never been able to do this. I feel that I am *always* working on my swing. That is, I'm thinking about my swing path, etc. Even with an abbreviated pre-shot routine, I am unable to turn this off.

Hi Todd,

It can be done, all you need to do is set up looking at the ball and start 'daydreaming' about nothing, empty your mind, next thing you know the balls flying off.

I used to go to the range and work on my swing but then hit the last 20 ball with absolutly no thoughts at all,

you may be suprised after the first few shots how good you can hit the ball.


Ian.

Hi,

I wrote six ideas on what I think learning golf is about to my blog at http://xo4us.blogspot.com

The idea of taking a lesson every six weeks sounds much easier:-)
I am very uncertain of my swing. It's not uncounsious yet, but I have a routine that helps me check different points. After my routine I only focus on the ball and "let go". (Controlled - not very hard. Ball flyes well enough with out hitting hard. Well actualy better:-)

I have a history in martial arts (4.dan) so I am use to "not thinking" :-)

Thanks for comments - I'll continue to work a program on how to learn - or use an instructor. (Though I am doing my PhD on media skills as a tool for learner managed learning ... so this is a kind of experiment for my PhD, too.)

Hannu

I also added a list of shots and my system of controlling them. (Idea is first to evaluate what I have and after that make a development program.)

Ian, can you share few of the programs that you think are good. I would like to read them. There might be some thing I can use?

I have published an introduction about how I am trying to learn golf. Next step will be to make program with drills and exercises. Basiccally the idea is first to find a correct path for my swing and then tackle the problems with club head (open - close and impact spot). I can practice timing about 6 weeks from now. (I get to play in Spain for two weeks.)

Introduction is at xo4us.blogspot.com


br. Hannu

I started my design of a learning program on skill but lately I have been thinking of golf as a mental game. Both qualities technical skill and mental strength are important, BUT...

To become a good golfer you need to be a person that others like to play with. Golf is fun. It's a social game. You might be judge by a score of a single round, but I more important is to atmosphere you create in the group. If you can help other play well, it will affect your play too.

Just a thought...

I have been updating my plan on "how to master the art of golf" to http://xo4us.blogspot.com I think I have gained some understanding by surfing the web. So I know more than I did a couble of weeks ago.

a) Biggest lesson has been that web is full of good material.
b) To learn you need to practice - hopefully right things
c) To "master" golf ...? Gain an understanding on what you think you are doing. (Get an own point of view on what is ones own golf - with out inventing old things too much?)
d) You need skills to play golf, but the game is a lot about mental control. It might be also a important social happening - having fun playing with friends can show in your game too.

br. Hannu

I have been keeping a diary of thoughts as I have been learning about golf. I have kept the diary for one month and written something nearly every day.

It's a blog so new posts are shown first. If some one is interested I think that the best picture comes from starting from the bottom - Archives from January 2006.

A pro emailed me that he has enjoyed reading my diary and seeing how thought develop. I don't know what he enjoyed, but I think it's not the brilliant understanding of the game:-)

Blogging at:
http://xo4us.blogspot.com

Hannu

I tested my off season training by playing three rounds of golf in Spain.
Last round I scored 95 in Altorreal. The course has a slope 125. It means that my handicap would drop from 47 to 29, if I could submit this card to our club. (BUT non-Finnish courses are not acceptable, because it's difficult compare the slopes.)

This might be just one "good" round, but it gives confidence. (And it was not a good round. I had 2 penalty shots and hit three bunkers, and topped opening shots in first three holes.)

Short games was good - 35 puts.

hannu

Blogging at:
http://xo4us.blogspot.com