I hope today’s newsletter finds you well and ready to dive into some golfing insights. Feel free to take what resonates with you and leave the rest - after all, we’re all on our unique golfing journeys.

TOPICS:

• TAKE IT TO THE COURSE:

  What is Functional Equivalence and how will it improve your golf performance.

• EFFECTIVE PRACTICE STRATEGIES:

  Single arm drill for short game.

• KEEPING TRACK WHILE ON THE COURSE:

  Green in regulation and where do you fall.

TAKE IT TO THE COURSE:

Functional Equivalence and How will it improve your golf performance:

Most golfers limit their practice to the driving range, hoping all their questions will be answered there. When I played professionally, I made the same mistake, always wondering why I couldn't lower my score even though I was hitting it so well on the range. My answer came when I started focusing on my mental practice. While there is no concrete evidence that visualizing positive shots always produces a good result, research indicates that when your last thought is negative, the chances of hitting a bad shot significantly increase. On this post i’ll explain the best way to practice it.

EFFECTIVE PRACTICE STRATEGIES

Single-arm swing Drill

Investing time in comprehending the mechanics during practice is crucial for excelling at golf. In today's session, we'll focus on breaking down the movements of each arm and how top chippers integrate this knowledge into their practice.

KEEPING TRACK WHILE ON THE COURSE

Green in Regulation (GIR) in golf is a statistic that indicates whether a golfer has reached the green of a hole within the expected number of strokes. Specifically, a green is considered to be "in regulation" if the golfer reaches it in two strokes less than the par for that hole. This means:

• On a par-3 hole, a GIR is achieved if the ball is on the green in one stroke.

• On a par-4 hole, a GIR is achieved if the ball is on the green in two strokes.

• On a par-5 hole, a GIR is achieved if the ball is on the green in three strokes.

The challenge is that this benchmark is particularly relevant for golfers of very high skill levels, such as scratch golfers or professionals. For golfers with a handicap of 8 or higher, comparing themselves to this standard can lead to feelings of frustration, but this does not mean they are failing at golf. Each golfer's GIR expectation should be adjusted according to their skill level. For example, professional golfers average around 13 greens in regulation per round, whereas an 18-handicap golfer typically hits about 4 greens in regulation per round.

To effectively track and improve your game, make a check mark on your scorecard for each hole where you achieve a GIR, noting the distance and club used. For holes where you miss the GIR, mark an X and record the same information. This data allows you to analyze your performance and identify patterns in your strengths and weaknesses. As you review your results, compare them against a benchmark appropriate for your skill level to set realistic goals and measure your progress. Remember the importance of awareness in your improvement: "Awareness is the first step toward change." By understanding where your game stands, you can make informed decisions to enhance your skills and enjoy the journey of improvement in golf.

^{As you head out onto the course, keep this in mind: You don't have to play golf, you get to! Enjoy every moment on the fairways and greens.}