Listening – A Neglected Skill, by Mike Hebronn
When people are listening to a speaker, they must adopt their listening to what is being said. When it comes to improving our golf, “listening comprehension” is often an overlooked and neglected skill. Studies have uncovered some startling information about listening that both golfers and the instruction industry may want to take into account. Studies have shown that when we are listening; often, the meaning of what is being said is not necessarily what the listener hears. Listeners draw support from any number of sources available within their own general intelligence while listening to new information. What is said may trigger past meanings of information in the minds of listeners. Focusing on these past meanings may well move their thoughts away from what is being said now.
Listening is hearing with a purpose. Listening requires attention and information processing. Hearing does not.
Often when people (instructors) are speaking, listeners (golfers) will start to subconsciously predict the next piece of information or reduce the number of possibilities they will consider from what is being offered by the speaker. I have observed that listeners will only take the time to use their full processing capacity in highly unusual situations (i.e. self-discovery golf instruction).
Our present perception of past information about the swing and playing the game often influences what we are hearing today. For example, even as musicians are reading sheet music, they also hear the notes in their head. These musicians are being influenced by past perceptions of sound, just as golfers are influenced by their past perceptions of what has been said to them about their swing and game. People experience discomfort when the unexpected shows up, in what to them is a familiar context. When golfers are hearing information that does not fit their prior preconceptions, it may not be fully processed.
Mike Hebron is a PGA Master Professional
who is the Director of Golf at Smithtown Landing CC
and Palm Beach Polo Golf & Country Club.
A Tip from Mike Jacobs
The tighter our arms and shoulders are, the slower the clubhead is going to move. If our shoulders and arms are completely free, we will create more speed, and therefore, more power in our swings
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Get a Grip, by Eileen McCaffrey ]
For anyone just starting to play golf, or for those of you who already play but are struggling to hit the golf ball consistently, my advice to you is start from the beginning. Your grip is the only contact you have with the golf club, so it must always be consistent and correct. There are three styles for gripping the club (for right handed players).
Overlap: Let the pinkie finger of the right hand rest on the top of the index and middle fingers of the left hand.
Interlock: Take the pinkie finger of the right hand and index finger of the left hand and interlock them Ten Fingers: Keep all fingers on the club (also called the baseball grip).
Any one of the above grips are good, as long as you’re sure to keep both hands close together, leaving no gaps between your fingers. Whichever style you choose, you need to be sure that your hands are set properly.
The placing of the club handle in your left hand is crucial. Many beginners, and even some advanced golfers, have a tendency to put the club in the palm of their hands. When you look at your left palm you will see a top pad, which is connected to your thumb, and a heel pad, which is between your wrist and the bottom of your pinkie finger. You want the bottom of the heel pad to rest on top of the club handle. To set the club handle properly, place the club across your fingers and grab onto it allowing your heel pad to rest on top. To check your grip, let go of the club with all fingers except your index finger. You should be able to balance the club securely between your index finger and your heel pad. If the club moves or rolls, your grip is incorrect. Practice this grip until you can do it without having to think about it. Once your left hand is placed properly on the club, put your right hand onto the club. Again, you want to grip the club in your fingers and let the top pad of your right hand rest on top of your left thumb. With both hands properly on the club you will find that your palms face each other.
Grip pressure is important, too. It should be firm enough to hold onto the club when swinging but not too firm to cause any tension in your forearms or shoulders.
Remember, golf can be fun, so enjoy the game and always loosen up before practice or play.
Eileen McCaffrey is the Head Golf Professional at Cherry Creek Golf Links & The Woods At Cherry Creek
