For golfers looking to improve, understanding the difference between practice and playing on the course is essential. Both activities serve distinct purposes in a golfer’s development, and recognizing how they complement each other can lead to greater overall performance. However, when we translate from the practice facility to the golf course, especially in a competitive setting, those technical thoughts seem to follow us there. When this in fact should be the time we leave those thoughts behind and play with what we have.
We need to recognize the difference between practice and play. Practice is all about honing specific skills to get your body into a better position for more consistent results. Here’s the catch: when you’re training, it’s crucial not to worry about immediate outcomes. Your body is adapting and developing new movement patterns, and that takes time.
Playing a round of golf, on the other hand, is where you apply what you’ve learned in practice to real situations. It’s your chance to test your abilities, tackle course challenges, and feel the pressure of competition. So, during a round, try to let go of those mechanical details. If you’re too focused on technique, you won’t be able to enjoy the game or perform at your best. Remember, it’s about playing, not just thinking about your mechanics!
Concentrating on swing mechanics can distract you from the strategic aspects of the game. Effective course management—like reading greens, assessing hazards, and choosing the right club—requires mental clarity. By getting caught up in technical details, you may miss important opportunities to make smarter decisions on the course. Instead of running through a checklist of swing thoughts, set a single, positive intention for each shot.
Imagine this, would an NBA player who is playing in an in-season game would be worried about the angle of their arm when pulling up for a 3 pointer. Would a Premier League Soccer Forward, be worrying about the angle of their foot when they are shooting trying to score. Or a 100m Sprinter, are they focusing on the height of their knee when they are running. The Answer is probably not, they are going to rely on their skills and experience that they have built up through their career and just play with what they have. If they both miss the shot, they will try again next time, or as a sprinter they are just trying to get out of the blocks as fast as possible. None of these athletes will be worrying about the mechanics of their body at that moment. So the question is, Why do we do that so much as Golfers when we are playing?
