What / How / Where 

To really improve our golf games these questions must be answered and then followed up upon.  To often our attempts at imroving the way we play are complete misfires with no real progress being made. When this happens we 'plateau' out and settle for the level of player we are at that time.  This is absolutely fine if we are content at that level, afterall, the game is meant to be enjoyed and played for that purpose.  But if on the other hand we are inspired to improve our skills at playing the game then give good thought to the following items.

What am I Practicing and Why?

 1. What?:   Golfers are notorious for 'experimenting'.  But does this 'experimenting' make us better golfers...sometimes, might be the best answer.  We need to know what it is that we are working on.  There is plenty of information out there relative to improving one's golf game and it is all pretty good stuff.  But is it applicable to you relative to what you need.  You can spend lots of money and lots of time chasing this information and still end up confused and frustrated as to why your scores aren't coming down. 
  TGM Path: Playing the game of golf is a 'blending' process that involves 1- mechanical positions, 2- physical movements, and 3- tactical skills.

Priority #1- Mechanics: if we're not putting the golf club (the tool) into positions that it was designed to be in during the swing or stroke then we're not mechanically sound.  If we aren't mechanically sound we'll have a very difficult time hitting a 'solid shot'.  If we can't hit a 'solid shot' we'll have a difficult time playing this game, period! 

The first step on your path has to do with understanding your swing's mechanical movement. Again, mechanics in your swing have to do with the club (the tool).  And they are;
                                                            #1- Angle (for power)
                                                #2- Swingpath (for direction)
                                                #3- Release Action (for power & direction).   

                                        
                      Angle                              Swingpath                   Release Action
  
Does being 'mechanically sound' automatically mean that we are going to play great golf on a consistant basis...not really!  What it does mean is that our 'mis-hit' shots get better and that's a very good thing!  You see, as we become more mechanically sound with our club's positions during the swing it's now the 'physical rhythm & timing' of our movements that determines the quality of any given shot. 

With this in mind the 'What' that higher handicappers and folks having trouble hitting 'solid golf shots' need to work on will be the 'core swing mechanics'...1- Angle / 2- Swingpath / 3- Release-Action

The 'What' that lower handicappers and tournament level players will focus on has more to do with how their bodies better support the movement of the club during the swing or stroke ('rhythm' has to do with the musical 'to-and-fro' of the swing or stroke while 'timing' has to do with when different parts of your body are 'firing' during the swing or stroke). 

OK... we're cook'in now!  We've become more mechanically sound and we know that it's the rhythm & timing of any given swing that determines the quality of that shot.  Does this mean that we are going to play great golf on a consistant basis?  not necessarily this time!  True, we're much furthur along the path in terms of reaching our potential but we're still working! (That's the real fun of it remember!).  To play our 'best' golf we need to understand that the game is very 'tactical' in nature and this is where it really becomes fun!  At this point, you see, you're truely 'playing the game' as it's meant to be played.  You're 'blending' mechanical stuff with physical and tactical stuff all in the beauty and splendor of the outdoors with people you enjoy being around!  TGM Golf believes that it doesn't get much better than that! 

All together, 'What' golfers need to remain focused on has to do with the fact that playing the game of golf is a process that requires a suitable 'blending' of tools / body / and mind. The 'blending process' is:

Why?:  Once you decide exactly 'what' it is that you are working on you should support that effort by also understanding 'why'.  Afterall, if you are putting forth effort, you should know why.
 TGM Path:  Simple here...the club is a tool...use it the way it was designed to be used and you will play better golf, period. 

2. How?:  Otherwise know as 'the brickwall'.  As we stated, there is plenty of good information out there for you, but, how are you going to process the information is the real challenge.  The old statement was 'practice makes perfect', today's version is 'practice makes permanent'.  Exactly how are you going to implement the changes so that they stick and not fade away over time?
 TGM Path:  Because the 'blending process' involves a tool, your body, and your mind (both your conscious mind as well as your subconscious mind) the challenge of breaking through the brickwall is 'tricky' to say the least.  
                        1.   First, you need good information from a proven source. 
                   2.   Then you need accurate feedback .
                   3.   And finally you need validation that your efforts are on track.
We're talking about 'how' you practice here.  Your practice methods will genuinely make the difference as far as your improvement is concerned, period!  
                        1.   You have to 'see it' (video taping / mirrors).
                   2.   You have to 'feel it' (put yourself into the desired positions).
                   3.   You have to 'do it' (make the movement, over and over again).
Because the 'blending process' has three dimensions, one is mechanical and involves a tool, another is physical and involves your body, and the third is tactical and involves your mind, you will have three types of practice methods.  Each method is more appropriate for the intended area of improvement.  

1- 'Mechanical Practicing'- This is practice related to movements and positions of your golf club and is most effective when results are not part of the process.  What is important during this process is feedback.   During this process you know the positions you want the club in and you are making the physical movements necessary to put the club where you want it while watching yourself in a mirror.   Because results are not part of this process you are better able to focus your attention on your positions and because you are actually watching the movements you are better able to register the feeling in your sub-conscious mind. 

2- 'Physical Practicing'-  This is practice related to your body's rhythm & timing of the swing.  This practice is usually done on the range and results are important to you here.  There may be 'some' mechanical thinking going on here but for the most part you are feeling the 'to-and-fro' rhythm of your movements along with timing sensations of your lower / middle / and upper body making the swing in good sequence.  If you are physically practicing mechanically unsound positions & movements...well, you really aren't going to get very far...you're building your 'brickwall', period!

3- 'Tactical Practicing'-  This is practice related to actually lowering your scores.  Tactical practice is 'practicing as you intend to play'.  It's the 'blending' of your 'mechanical stuff' and your 'physical stuff' put together to create a  planned result.  Good imagination is key to effective tactical practicing.  Activities such as developing a good pre-shot routine or pretending that you are on the first tee of the Club Championship, High School State Championship or U.S. Open require you to use your imagination. Or, if you are just beginning it could be that first shot that you will hit on the 'big course'!  Whatever the case, whatever it is that we are preparing for we have to create the condition in our minds and 'play the shot'. When you eventually get on the course for the purpose of playing (and keeping score) you've got to just play.  To play your best you've got to 'blend' (a tactical process) the mechanical stuff  and the physical stuff together in such a manner that everything just 'falls in place for you'. 

Where and When Do I Practice Effectively?

Always be looking to get that visual feedback!

3. Where and When?: The traditional practice experience involves heading to a range, securing a pile of practice balls and commence to swinging away until all the balls are gone.   This type of 'practicing' amounts more to excercise than real swing or game development.  It also takes time, motivation and resources, three commodities which in this day and time are in great demand to say the least!  OK, so we have to find a more efficient way to practice and develop our games, period.

   TGM Path:   Effective practice means you are positively developing: 1- your mechanics (positions that your club is in), 2- your physical rhythm & timing (your body), and 3- your tactical skills for playing the game (your mind).
 
Type of  Practice / Where and When:

1. Mechanical Practice -  Anywhere and anytime except when the result is important to you! 
2. Physical Practice -  Best done on the practice range as often as you can get there!
3. Tactical Practice -  Best done on the course except when the eventual outcome is important  to you.   

(Please visit or email us to discuss more about what, how, and where to practice)