Hogan, Norman etc...Seriously.

[SJO]

I only partially agree. The thing I think you are overlooking is the fact that
some people are more gifted than others physically, mentally and other ways as well.


I'm not overlooking this fact, I am saying that it's not the determining factor in making an incredible ballstriker/player. It is a consideration for sure but is way overused in my opinion, usually by people who are lazy to make themselves feel better.

 

[mrose]

I think both of these players had a great love for the game and extremely high standards that they set for themselves. They played so much that they got to the point where they could look around at a tournament and know that no matter what happens to them, no matter how many bad breaks they get, they'll hit enough good shots during a tournament that they'll either win this week or, if not this week, next week. This has a huge impact on a person's confidence.

Every serious player has had that experience of practicing for a tournament and not missing a shot for weeks and then on the day not being able to perform. They leave the course despondent and think maybe they just don't have it. I think Hogan went through the same experience but he had the drive to keep going until practice form and playing form were more closely correlated. Hogan hit it so good while practicing and practiced so long and so well and then entered enough tournaments to eventually get to the point where he knew he could hit it great under pressure. He was able to work out what it was that changed from practice days to tournament pressure and adapt, feel more comfortable, and eventually get that inner cockiness where eventually he could enjoy the intensity of major tournaments. He knew they didn't have the control over the ball he had. Not over the course of 72 holes anyway.

That's my take on it for what it's worth.

 

[benstone]

I recently read the book Outliers and it talks about needing 10,000 hours of practice to become exceptional at something. There really isn't a secret, it is largely down to time spent practicing.

 

[Kevin Shields]

I would differ by saying there are definately secrets but once you know them you have to practice them for 10,000 hours.

 

[Richie3Jack]

I would differ by saying there are definately secrets but once you know them you have to practice them for 10,000 hours.

Agreed, understanding the geometry and physics really helps. I think Kevin is a good example as he mentioned, it wasn't until he started working with Brian that his game took off.





3JACK

 

[mrose]

I recently read the book Outliers and it talks about needing 10,000 hours of practice to become exceptional at something. There really isn't a secret, it is largely down to time spent practicing.

I think if people really believed this there would be a lot of people living in caravans wondering why they never made it. More than there already are anyway. Those self help books do more damage than good in my opinion.

 

[spktho]

I think if people really believed this there would be a lot of people living in caravans wondering why they never made it. More than there already are anyway. Those self help books do more damage than good in my opinion.

Agreed. I and many others I know have practiced the golf swing for over 10,000 hours and are still relative hacks.

How complicated something that is trying to be mastered has a bearing on this as well.

I would differ by saying there are definately secrets but once you know them you have to practice them for 10,000 hours.

Definitely practicing the right way and correct motions has a huge impact on the level of mastery.

 

[cmartingolf]

The best strikers weren't afraid of being different and doing things differently.

Moe: looked pretty odd
Hogan: Sam Snead "couldn't watch" his swing; quick and flat.
Trevino: Shut face block cutter

They found a way and made it their own. The one commonality was precise, repeatable impact conditons.

 

[TROYNYGOLFER]

The best strikers weren't afraid of being different and doing things differently.

Moe: looked pretty odd
Hogan: Sam Snead "couldn't watch" his swing; quick and flat.
Trevino: Shut face block cutter

They found a way and made it their own. The one commonality was precise, repeatable impact conditons.

What Martin posted was what made this whole BM approach attractive to me. Even those of us that do not play near scratch can see very clearly that there are a variety of ways to strike the ball, and that one size certainly does not fit all.