15 Nov Bad shots are made before the club is swung

Originality does not consist of saying what has never been said before; it’s a knowledgeable golf coach saying what they know to be the truth.

They see things written about the golf swing that are hard to believe will work, except by accident. But whether it is for beginners, average players, children, or really good players everything they teach has been tried and tested with success.

Taking a golf lesson is similar to visiting a doctor, as before any action is taken, first the problem must be diagnosed.

Analysing what’s wrong with the swing whilst being mindful of the patient not taking the whole bottle of aspirin at once is a skill all good swing coaches have.

As a tiny change can make a huge difference. The natural inclination is to begin to overdo the tiny change that has brought success.

So, you exaggerate in an effort to improve even more, and soon you are lost and confused again. Lessons should not take the place of practice but to make practice worthwhile.

If you fail to play well on any particular day, forget it. If you play poorly the next time you play, review your fundamentals of grip, stance, alignment, and ball position. Most bad shots are made before the club is swung.

If you again play miserably for the third time in a row, seriously contemplate a lesson.

Out of Bounds: Genius is rarely seen on a golf course and has its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.