WHEN TO GO OUT ON THE GOLF COURSE

On numerous occasions pupils express a desire to be taken on the golf course where they feel they will learn more quickly.

This is a snare and a delusion. It is absolutely essential that a reasonably good swing be developed before the pupil be permitted on the golf course. A natural question at this point would be "what is meant by a reasonably good swing?" It simply means that the pupil should be well grounded in the three fundamental actions that constitute a golf swing.

The pupil should be able:

(a) to handle his weight so he can properly balance himself on his right foot, from which point the upswing is made. He should be able to rebalance himself on his left foot so that he can make the downswing and follow through.

(b) he should have a thorough understanding of how to cock or set the club into any of the three positions; in other words, he should have a sense of how the two hands work together to accomplish this important matter of club position, which is the basis of directional control in golf shots (See Chapter Five). (c) the player should have the sense and ability of utilizing his body as the swing medium—using his body in that natural self-centering action—that two-way stretch which never takes one off the ball and gives the player the ability to make long powerful drives or short delicate chip shots and putts.

These three fundamental actions can only be developed by practice. The practice must be systematic and positive, and have a definite plan that will be stuck to without experiment or change.

Practice this plan—repeat it over and over until (a) footwork, (b) hand action, and (c) body action are synchronized into a smooth continuous action—an action in which you will have a definite idea of (a) where the club is, and (b) how forcibly or how delicately it is being applied to the ball.

Once a degree of proficiency is developed there is no club or department of the game that can give you any problems; golf can be an easy game because you will be the master in control of the club as you swing it.

Then and only then are you ready to go out on the course to play. Just as it takes practice to develop, create and establish a swing, it will require added practice to maintain and retain a satisfactory performance.