Is there a lot of trash talked on here?

[CrapHacker]

The O.P has a valid point, how many of us would try to offer advice to say a 5 handicap player on the course?

I would

If they're daft enough to listen, then that's their own fault.



But, if I have seen someone play a lot, and I see them doing something different, then I would quite happily ask them why they have changed.

It's called offering advice using the GROW method.

 

[Piece]

EZprophet, that's a cracking post. Totally agree.

 

[MashieNiblick]

I think there's a stigma of low handicappers not wanting advice from anyone worse than you. It would be great if this wasn't the case. Some high handicappers have excellent technical knowledge but just can't put it into practice. Have an open mind, that is what I say

I agree that high handicappers definitely can give good advice to low handicappers, just as low handicappers can give bad advice to high handicappers BUT... the point about high handicappers having good technical knowledge, as a generalisation, I don't agree with.

I was speaking to a 8/9 handicapper I met the other day who said "I fully understand the mechanics of the golf swing, I just cant do it myself". The problem with what he said was that while he may be able to look at a down the line video of a players swing and tell you whether their takeaway is on plane or not, unless you actually know what an on plane takeaway feels like, its completely useless knowledge in terms of playing the game of golf. So while this guy felt that he knew everything there is to know about the takeaway, he actually doesnt know anything relevant about the takeaway at all, which I can testify to after playing with him.

The reason why learning golf is so complex is because what people think they are doing (in their swing/stroke etc) is usually completely different to what they are actually doing. Because of this, when trying to improve your swing/stroke you are trying to find what certain moves "feel" like, as when you are over the ball, what certain moves look like from down the line is kind of useless.

Therefore when getting "tips" from people, or magazines or whatever, its usually completely hit or miss, because a "feel" that works for one player, may only work for a few other people (or maybe lots of people, or maybe none at all.) A lot of things can be learned from forums, magazines, tips from buddies etc etc... but its sifting through the 99 pieces of advice that dont work for you to find the 1 piece of advice that is the problem.

Thats why the only proper way to learn the game of golf, in my opinion, is with an instructor, as having another pair of eyes looking at what you are doing, while you are "feeling" what you are doing, is the only way of knowing if what you are doing is good/bad/what you are trying to do.

As you say though keeping an open mind is hugely important in learning the game of golf. I used to think I knew everything about the golf swing( when I was an 11 handicapper ) and it wasnt until I accepted that I knew nothing that I started improving. Thats why if someone ever asks me anything about technique I preface it with "this is what works for me" because essentially, while my knowledge of my own golf swing has improved significantly, I still know absolutely nothing (useful) about anyone elses swing.

EZP, IMHO as a 12 h/capper (and a golfer for 40 years) that is one of the best posts I have ever read on this forum about the golf swing.

 

[Piece]

The reason why learning golf is so complex is because what people think they are doing (in their swing/stroke etc) is usually completely different to what they are actually doing. Because of this, when trying to improve your swing/stroke you are trying to find what certain moves "feel" like, as when you are over the ball, what certain moves look like from down the line is kind of useless.

<snip>

Thats why the only proper way to learn the game of golf, in my opinion, is with an instructor, as having another pair of eyes looking at what you are doing, while you are "feeling" what you are doing, is the only way of knowing if what you are doing is good/bad/what you are trying to do.

This is a crucial point in learning. Correcting swing faults means learning new, unfamiliar, moves that a pupil can't 'feel'. When the instructor is present, the pupil has the reassurance that what they are doing is right even though it feels wrong. The issue is when the lesson ends and the instructor goes - the pupil tries to faithfully do the drills, but doesn't really know if they are doing it correctly as they may not have grooved the feel properly.

Thats why I believe it's important for pupil and instructor to work patiently and methodically together to understand a new groove so that the new way becomes the 'regular' way, if you know what I mean!

 

[Dodger]

Never take advice of anyone who isn't better than you.

Why?
Is butch harman better than Tiger woods at his peak.

well said pokerjoke!
Dodger- you aint as good as you think you are ir else you'd be pro so wind ya neck in!

Who said I was good?

I'll say it again,never listen to folk who are not better than you.

Now, if they are quailified but pish at golf that may change.

 

[EZprophet]

I think there's a stigma of low handicappers not wanting advice from anyone worse than you. It would be great if this wasn't the case. Some high handicappers have excellent technical knowledge but just can't put it into practice. Have an open mind, that is what I say

I agree that high handicappers definitely can give good advice to low handicappers, just as low handicappers can give bad advice to high handicappers BUT... the point about high handicappers having good technical knowledge, as a generalisation, I don't agree with.

I was speaking to a 8/9 handicapper I met the other day who said "I fully understand the mechanics of the golf swing, I just cant do it myself". The problem with what he said was that while he may be able to look at a down the line video of a players swing and tell you whether their takeaway is on plane or not, unless you actually know what an on plane takeaway feels like, its completely useless knowledge in terms of playing the game of golf. So while this guy felt that he knew everything there is to know about the takeaway, he actually doesnt know anything relevant about the takeaway at all, which I can testify to after playing with him.

The reason why learning golf is so complex is because what people think they are doing (in their swing/stroke etc) is usually completely different to what they are actually doing. Because of this, when trying to improve your swing/stroke you are trying to find what certain moves "feel" like, as when you are over the ball, what certain moves look like from down the line is kind of useless.

Therefore when getting "tips" from people, or magazines or whatever, its usually completely hit or miss, because a "feel" that works for one player, may only work for a few other people (or maybe lots of people, or maybe none at all.) A lot of things can be learned from forums, magazines, tips from buddies etc etc... but its sifting through the 99 pieces of advice that dont work for you to find the 1 piece of advice that is the problem.

Thats why the only proper way to learn the game of golf, in my opinion, is with an instructor, as having another pair of eyes looking at what you are doing, while you are "feeling" what you are doing, is the only way of knowing if what you are doing is good/bad/what you are trying to do.

As you say though keeping an open mind is hugely important in learning the game of golf. I used to think I knew everything about the golf swing( when I was an 11 handicapper ) and it wasnt until I accepted that I knew nothing that I started improving. Thats why if someone ever asks me anything about technique I preface it with "this is what works for me" because essentially, while my knowledge of my own golf swing has improved significantly, I still know absolutely nothing (useful) about anyone elses swing.

EZP, IMHO as a 12 h/capper (and a golfer for 40 years) that is one of the best posts I have ever read on this forum about the golf swing.

well thanks!

I'm trying to learn this game like everyone else here and I think one of the toughest things to learn in golf is HOW to learn!