When it comes to many of the high-level players we work with, we often reach a point where we reduce our focus on the technical aspects of the game, especially during tournament season. Scores are typically trending in a competitive range; however, when the pressure is on, things may start to unravel for these players. Too often, I see great ball strikers who do not have a great practice plan or sense of creativity. Some are too focused on the technical aspects because that is all they’ve been told through their training. They believe that they must have a straight ball flight in order to hit the “perfect” shot. Golf is a game of imperfection and we must change our mindset in order to succeed. I work on variables outside of the technical realm that will affect a player’s mind and body. Technique and a picture-perfect swing are not what wins tournaments; it is how players are able to manage their practice and the stress of play. I review with them five “controllables”. These are areas of the mind or game that we are able to control off the course, during practice or even during play. They include: 1. Our one percent plan. Imagine working towards a goal by getting better by one percent each day. It is not about immediate results – it is about what they can do to make themselves a little better each day. This can be anything from what pillow you sleep on to your daily nutrition. 2. Performance training and skill acquisition; 3. Pre-round warm-up; 4. A proper practice plan; and 5. Having a champion’s mindset (mental game/decision making process/tournament preparation). We have developed a program called “Performance Training – A Guide to Accelerated On-Course Performance” that can be customized to fit almost all players as long as we know their goals. The quickest way to lower scores is by improving a player’s skill toolbox for on-course performance. We practice meaningful shots between lessons when a coach is not there; this allows players to be more confident and more in a “flow” state of mind with their decision making on the course.

As instructors, we constantly seek the best way to increase our lesson book and maintain a high student retention rate, especially during the off-season. At our facility we have invested in four indoor-outdoor bays where we utilize TrackMan technology to assist us with our programming. The main goal is to take technical aspects out of the game and make players more reactive, just like shooting a basketball – you don’t sit there and think about how high you’re going to jump and when to release the ball, you just catch and react to what you see. The Performance Training program benefits our newly renovated facility by getting students in more often between lessons and draws members to the facility to utilize technology in a constructive way. We have seen an increase in clientele through word of mouth and improved performance from our students on the course. Most importantly, we are getting more visits to the facility.

If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email Mike.LaBella@nemacolin.com.