Taking the time to carefully devise a Performance Plan and then executing that plan is the best way to improve your golf game. Setting goals, assessing where strengths and weaknesses lie and then collating that information into a pathway to success is what businesses do on a regular basis to ensure they remain successful. As golfers we should use a similar process to ensure our own success.
Having already made assessments of your technique and equipment, the next step is to test the other areas of your game essential to your improvement.
PhysicalOver the past 15 years this component of the game has become more prominent. Starting with Gary Player, picked up by David Duval and taken to the popularity it enjoys today by Tiger Woods, the physical component of the game has become recognized as crucial to ones improvement and longevity in the game. A golf specific physical assessment to test your flexibility, strength and balance can be performed either by a trained PGA Professional or Physical Therapist. After your initial assessment you will be given an exercise program that will address any weakness that were uncovered from the physical assessment.
This is a critical component in forming your plan. Quite often we see players who have struggled to make a particular swing change only to then discover that they physically can’t make the move due to a lack of strength or flexibility in that specific area. The amount of practice is irrelevant if the body simply cannot make the desired move. Once the physical issue has been addressed we then see the player is able to make the swing change and the improvement process can continue to move forward.
Tactical and MentalThis is an area too often overlooked. To get the best assessment of your skills in this area, a playing lesson with your instructor is recommended. They will be able to check the consistency of your pre-shot routine, club selection, shot selection, how well you control your emotions and what information you collect to help you execute each shot. These things are difficult to assess on your own as you should be focused on playing the shot, not on thinking about what you are doing.
Having assessed the technical, physical, tactical and equipment components of your game, you are now ready to put together your Performance Plan. Put together a calendar of when you will work on your plan and based on your assessment what will be the focus of each session. Record how each session went and re-test yourself continually through skills testing and charting your rounds so you can chart your progress.
Never give up on your plan just because you don’t see improvements in the first few days. It will take some time to see results but the results you will gain will be longer lasting and focused towards you becoming the best player you can be all because you took the time initially to form your Performance Plan.
I hope you enjoyed this post on building your performance plan. As always comments are welcome and appreciated.
Good Golfing
Derek
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