A student can get the greatest benefit from a lesson or their practice session by paying attention, that is, by paying attention to not only what is being said but also from what they are feeling. It has been said that "Mechanics produce, but feel reproduces". What this means is, you can intellectually understand what needs to happen but until you feel it, you probably won't be able to repeat it. Feel can be different things to different people, with some it's perceptual, with others it's heightened body awareness and still with others it may a sensory awareness. Regardless of where the feel comes from, this is what enables the student to perform at a higher level not only during practice but also during play.

Albert Einstein said, "Learning is experience, everything else is information". The golf learner can benefit from taking bits of information from a lesson and working on them (individually) to gain an experience that will enhance a learned behavior. Drills are a great way to gain this experience (provided they are utilized in a way that brings a change to an area that needs change). The student can begin to see greater results from practice sessions when they are done in a manner that more closely resembles, play. Once a student has loosened up, shots can be hit by rotating from a driver to an iron or fairway wood to an iron, similar to what takes place when you are playing. It has been said, "Practice makes perfect", and that is not true. Practice does make permanent and therefore; perfect practice makes perfect. The quality of the practice really transcends the quantity. So whether you're taking a lesson or practicing, make sure to listen but also pay attention to what your body is telling you.

Fred Bond,
PGA Director of Instruction

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