why do pros practice so much

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shootin4par

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There are some pros who practice A LOT and some dont. I would tend to think this is because some have to practice because of their faulty mechanics while others have good mechanics so they dont need to practice soo much. Did hogan ever get to a point where he did not practice as much? Does tiger and VJ have to practice so much because of their swing issues? Any Idea as to the tour players who dont practice much? Some people also look at what the pros do for a guide on how to swing but who would be the ideal pros to look at because some are obviously less then "ideal"?
your thoughts?
 
Burner

Burner

New
Winners practise.

Constant attention to detail, modification and refinement of the "Machine" makes for winning efficiency.

Unfortunately, the PGA Tour pays too many guys too much for modest, by comparison to their peer group, performance. Some guys can, therefore, just show up and re-qualify year on year - yup, these guys are that good.

However, the consistent, high performance Pro puts in the effort needed to bring his particular cream to the top.
 
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blehnhard

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For many, practice is their way of giving themselves 'permission' to do well (succeed). If you are 'hung up' on the 'work ethic' (only success comes to those who work hard) - this is your way of saying it is okay to suceed.

For others, it is a way of combating 'under confidence' (I don't really trust what I have).

For some, it is the pure joy of hitting the ball purely (along with finding ways to express their creative selves - how many different ways can I move the ball).

If you believe in the 'American Way' (I must be the best, I must be a 'winner' - if you are not a winner, you are a 'LOSER') then most will be sadly disappointed and have low self esteem.

However, many players are willing to accept that they are not TW (many do not want to be) and are content being 'good' (or the best they can be) without tying their self worth into their performance as players.

I have the greatest respect for players like Bruce Leitzke and Carlos Franco - they trust what they have, can accept their place as a player (that does not mean they do not want to win), but winning is not the 'end all' of life.

When I played the Senior Tour (92-98), I worked too hard, tried too hard, did not trust enough -ergo a lot of time hitting balls and not enough time chipping and putting.

I enjoy practice now (limited time) just for the fun of hitting it solid (almost orgasmic at times - perhaps a little strong).

Great site by the way!

Bruce
 
vjcapron

vjcapron

New
The post above by blehnhard is one of the best, most insightful, and completely accurate posts that has ever been posted on any golf forum.

I am looking forward to hearing more from you, blehnhard. I hope you decide to participate frequently in this forum.
 
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Biffer

New
Practicing is the sensible thing to do

Practicing gives the player an opportunity to work on perfecting the not so common shots that he may encounter during tournament play, as well as re-enforce his confidence for general playing of all shots. Probaby, one of the most important aspects of practice is to maintain feel and coordination and physical conditioning of the golf muscles. :) ;)
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
Hall-of-Fame

You may not be in the Golf Hall-of-Fame, but your post is in the Manzella Forum Hall-of-Fame!

Great job.

Here is my (funny) list:

THE TOP 10 REASONS PGA TOUR PROS PRACTICE SO MUCH

#10 - Becuase it is so damn cool to have the caddy go get a bucket of Taylor Made Reds.

#9 - To practice posing.

#8 - Just so you can tell the Tour (equipment) rep, "This one's just too tip weak 'cuz it comes off spinning way to much. Tell them to come up with something better.

#7 - So they can talk about the really hot girl some player picked up in Memphis who is now in the front row of the stands with a Player's Guest tag a-hanging.

#6 - So they can tell the Tournament Rep from Houston, that "I'll play next year if my little boy can have Roger Clements play a little pitch and catch."

#5 - To work on the twirling. Either 2 revolutions clockwise or 2 and a half counter-clockwise.

#4 - So they can look a the grooves in their wedges and rub their fingers across them and tell the caddy, "Time for some new ones."

#3 - To watch Bubba bomb it.

#2 - To watch DT like Sybervison.

and the #1 reason pros practice so much:

To make Tiger over-confident.
 
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EdZ

New
blehnhard said:
If you believe in the 'American Way' (I must be the best, I must be a 'winner' - if you are not a winner, you are a 'LOSER') then most will be sadly disappointed and have low self esteem.
Click to expand...

An interesting observation Bruce. I see examples of this often. Those who strive to 'be the best', and present themselves as such, often are the most lacking in self esteem. Ironic really.

Welcome to the board - EdZ
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

New
#11....so they can try and out-do VJ's massive trench.

#12....so they can....outdo.....VJ's massive uh.....stench.......(uhhh)

#13....home is on the range, baby. (heyyyooooooooo!)

#14...no damn thing better to do.

#15...uh.......

...

....I just farted.

Later.
 
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blehnhard

New
Thanks for the kind words and welcome. I found the forum a few weeks ago and have been reading many posts with interest - actually I have been thru all 53 pages and reading the threads that caught my interest.

A little off topic, but an observation on the "hitting down with a driver debate". My feeling is that (and I may show my ignorance here) is that "down" does not have to be relative to the ground. "Down" is the direction before low point (left arm and clubshaft in line) but one could still be swinging level to the ground (or even slightly up relative to the ground) depending upon axis tilt and still meet the definition of "down".

Even with a modestly successful career as a player - I confess that I have been prone to being a flipper. I have had the 'yellow book' for years and understood some of it, but no where near all of it.

I am currently working on maintaining the bent trailing (politically correct term) wrist and getting more compression. Last couple of weeks of ball striking have been much better - but I have to watch the tendency to get steep and very deep divots. I have always hit my best shots with almost no divots with middle and long irons and minimal divots with short irons and wedges (firm tight lies).

One misconception that many may have is that the 'flat' forward (PC again) wrist would have the back of the left hand facing the target. With a SSA grip, that would not be true - the back would face slightly out to the right (for RH).

I do not like arching the forward wrist with a SSA grip, nor for my own game do I feel the need for any 'roll' thru the impact area. My best shots feel 'no roll' - maybe why my best tee ball is a slight fade.

Sorry for the verbosity. I hope to particpate on a regular basis. I have gained a lot of understanding in the last couple of weeks.

Bruce
 
R

rundmc

Banned
blehnhard said:
Thanks for the kind words and welcome. I found the forum a few weeks ago and have been reading many posts with interest - actually I have been thru all 53 pages and reading the threads that caught my interest.

A little off topic, but an observation on the "hitting down with a driver debate". My feeling is that (and I may show my ignorance here) is that "down" does not have to be relative to the ground. "Down" is the direction before low point (left arm and clubshaft in line) but one could still be swinging level to the ground (or even slightly up relative to the ground) depending upon axis tilt and still meet the definition of "down".

Even with a modestly successful career as a player - I confess that I have been prone to being a flipper. I have had the 'yellow book' for years and understood some of it, but no where near all of it.

I am currently working on maintaining the bent trailing (politically correct term) wrist and getting more compression. Last couple of weeks of ball striking have been much better - but I have to watch the tendency to get steep and very deep divots. I have always hit my best shots with almost no divots with middle and long irons and minimal divots with short irons and wedges (firm tight lies).

One misconception that many may have is that the 'flat' forward (PC again) wrist would have the back of the left hand facing the target. With a SSA grip, that would not be true - the back would face slightly out to the right (for RH).

I do not like arching the forward wrist with a SSA grip, nor for my own game do I feel the need for any 'roll' thru the impact area. My best shots feel 'no roll' - maybe why my best tee ball is a slight fade.

Sorry for the verbosity. I hope to particpate on a regular basis. I have gained a lot of understanding in the last couple of weeks.

Bruce
Click to expand...

Bruce . . . stop poor mouthing man! You seem to have a pretty good handle on the Kool Aid Jar and a lot of other stuff. Fine posts! You have done a very nice job detailing some very difficult concepts. Propaz!
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

New
Good post....

Good observation about the "hit down/up debate"....

The thrust of your hands can be downward (or at least, in relation to the golfer and not the ground) even with a clubhead that moves slightly up....

But then again....

Here's a bunch of Swingvisions:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1Aj22YYI1-Q

Check the super slo mo....bunch of Tour swings listed on the right of the page.
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

New
blehnhard said:
When I played the Senior Tour (92-98), I worked too hard, tried too hard, did not trust enough -ergo a lot of time hitting balls and not enough time chipping and putting.
Click to expand...

IMO (Bruce, this is: 'in my opinion,' BTW, in case you don't know)....(and BTW is: 'by the way'....BTW...;))....

You can't really try too hard in a way.....I think you can try the wrong things tho.

IMO!
 
R

rundmc

Banned
birdie_man said:
Good post....

Good observation about the "hit down/up debate"....

The thrust of your hands can be downward (or at least, in relation to the golfer and not the ground) even with a clubhead that moves slightly up....

But then again....

Here's a bunch of Swingvisions:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1Aj22YYI1-Q

Check the super slo mo....bunch of Tour swings listed on the right of the page.
Click to expand...

Pretty cool Swingvisions. You can for sure see the Sequenced Release in the 2nd Swingvision of Vijay's move. Uncocked then Swiveled into impact for sure. Wonder if that has anything to do with his grip type. Tiger's release is a little different.
 
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