Natural Ability

[Deleted member 16999]

Reading the putting thread amongst others and noticing different people having different ways of doing things, I wondered if some aspects of the game are simply natural to some people, ie, some people naturally hit a draw or are natural putters etc.
So, how about you? Are there any particular aspects of your game that comes natural to you?

 

[snell]

Yeah missing putts comes really natural to me 😤😤

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I'm a firm believer in natural ability determining the level of golf you can play

The ability to relax comes natural for me - not to worry about things and just take it as it comes and find chipping comes naturally

 

[Kellfire]

I'm a firm believer in natural ability determining the level of golf you can play

Whereas I'm the totally opposite - in a world where nurture has massive sway compared to nature when it comes to our physical development, those who practice the best will triumph the vast majority of the time.

Natural ability is almost impossible to measure.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Chipping. For me that is about touch and so my hockey past comes into play. Chipping for me is like weighting a pass.

All other aspects of golf are totally un-natural to me and I have to work really hard to be as below average as I am.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Whereas I'm the totally opposite - in a world where nurture has massive sway compared to nature when it comes to our physical development, those who practice the best will triumph the vast majority of the time.

Natural ability is almost impossible to measure.

Where as I know a good deal amount of people who practise constantly yet don't improve - why is that ? Because IMO they have reached their limit as set by their own natural ability. It's the same with any sport - you can't practise yourself better than your natural ability level IMO. Some may need to practise to reach their limit some may reach it just playing

 

[snell]

Where as I know a good deal amount of people who practise constantly yet don't improve - why is that ? Because IMO they have reached their limit as set by their own natural ability. It's the same with any sport - you can't practise yourself better than your natural ability level IMO. Some may need to practise to reach their limit some may reach it just playing

Could be down to how they practice perhaps?

 

[Qwerty]

How long before someone mentions a book by a guy who was once half decent at table tennis?

 

[USER1999]

How will you know when you top out on your ability though. Would Beckham, or Wilkinson be as good if they hadn't done ridiculous amounts of practice?

 

[Cheifi0]

Where as I know a good deal amount of people who practise constantly yet don't improve - why is that ? Because IMO they have reached their limit as set by their own natural ability. It's the same with any sport - you can't practise yourself better than your natural ability level IMO. Some may need to practise to reach their limit some may reach it just playing

I am more of the thinking they have reached the level they have mentally set themselves.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Where as I know a good deal amount of people who practise constantly yet don't improve - why is that ? Because IMO they have reached their limit as set by their own natural ability. It's the same with any sport - you can't practise yourself better than your natural ability level IMO. Some may need to practise to reach their limit some may reach it just playing

I think there's a bit of both to be honest, natural ability helped by the correct coaching or mentoring can help some people and all the worlds best in any sport will have a natural abilty but it takes more to maintain it, whether that be practise or diet or mental toughness.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

How long before someone mentions a book by a guy who was once half decent at table tennis?

BoJo?

 

[garyinderry]

Theo's first touch
Sterling's shooting
Glen Johnson's crossing
Homers chipping


Try as they might, none of it comes natural.


Sorry homer

 

[need_my_wedge]

Was having a very similar discussion with my son yesterday. He was in county training last week and was told by the coaches that golf is not about natural ability, it's all about practice, that's the only way to improve blah blah. I kind of agree, i.e. that improvement very much is a lot about practice. However, I also believe that some people have a more natural dexterity when it comes to being in tune with their body and playing sports than others, thereby improving quicker and further than those less dexterous...... So with the right practice, anyone can improve, but some will improve more than others.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I agree with LP on his post. Good examples from GID as well.

Natural ability has to come into it. I've seen many a kid completly incapable of catching a ball or being co-ordinated. No amount of practice is going to turn that person into a world beater. To think otherwise is delusional. Same across a whole range of sports.

 

[Alex1975]

Where as I know a good deal amount of people who practise constantly yet don't improve - why is that ? Because IMO they have reached their limit as set by their own natural ability. It's the same with any sport - you can't practise yourself better than your natural ability level IMO. Some may need to practise to reach their limit some may reach it just playing

Sadly I would agree...

 

[turkish]

I honestly don't agree with the natural ability thing- I think with enough practice anybody can become an expert in whatever they choose but there is "constant" practice and then there is totally changing a way of life and dedicating yourself to something and lets be honest most people don't have mental grit and determination to do this; not to mention having other commitments in life.

I do think physical capabilities do come into it though- if you're 5 5" the chances of you playing in the NBA are slim to none etc

 

[Jates12]

Where as I know a good deal amount of people who practise constantly yet don't improve - why is that ? Because IMO they have reached their limit as set by their own natural ability. It's the same with any sport - you can't practise yourself better than your natural ability level IMO. Some may need to practise to reach their limit some may reach it just playing

I played cricket at a decent standard and whole heartedly agree with this. You need at least some sort of co-ordination and natural instinct and ability to be good at that game and I'm a firm believer that this translates to all sports.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I agree with LP on his post. Good examples from GID as well.

Natural ability has to come into it. I've seen many a kid completly incapable of catching a ball or being co-ordinated. No amount of practice is going to turn that person into a world beater. To think otherwise is delusional. Same across a whole range of sports.

That's why I believe you need a bit of both, a person could be the worlds best putter, but bad at using a Driver, he wouldn't naturally become the worlds best golfer, you probably wouldn't want to take them on at Crazy Golf either😃

 

[Kellfire]

These "natural" abilities speak of will actually just be hand eye coordination the person has improved from their childhood. They weren't born that way, they learned it.