Stop Trying to Copy the Pros

By August 23, 2019Tips & Tutorials

Do not copy the Pros! This may seem a strange thing to say, but unfortunately the number of amateur golfers trying to copy their favourite professional is increasing and it is not helping.

We have to remember that although the professionals are superstars that we look up to and admire, you are never going to be able to replicate the incredible distances or shots that they achieve.

That is why we look up to them, because they do things that we can only dream of.

As a golf coach I encourage my students to watch golf on TV, purely as a spectator, much like they would watch a football or soccer match.

I ask them to watch without the commentary and punditry, because I do not want any of the “dissection” of a professional´s swing entering into their minds and clouding what they are trying to achieve with their development program.

This may seem strange, but let us take a more objective view of why I request this of my students;

The professionals we see on tour, are in the most part, highly conditioned athletes, dedicating their lives in their endeavour to shave a single shot here, or save half a shot there.

They spend hours on the practice range, on an almost daily basis, they head to the gym, they follow a strict diet and they have a support team around them almost 24-7.

Now I am fairly certain that 99.9% of you that are reading this have more than a few hours a week, or possibly a month to dedicate to practice.

It is this “lack of time” due to busy work lives and family commitments, and the obvious preference to playing time instead of heading down to the range.

And it is this reason that you need to concentrate on your own development rather than trying to copy your favoured professional.

You are unlikely to be able to make the same movements as the professionals, and in trying to do so you are more likely to head in the wrong direction rather than improve your games.

If want to learn anything from the professionals I strongly suggest you watch how they manage the golf course and their emotions.

It is here where studying the behaviour and thought processes of your favourite player will really provide a benefit to our own game.

Rarely will you see a professional taking a risk, where the punishment is severe, instead they will generally play the best shot for the circumstance that they find themselves in

Course management and mental approach is a massive player in improving your game, so instead of trying to launch the ball down the fairway as far as you can in an attempt it hit it like “Bubba” look at how he plots his way around the course.