“The key to golf is not just in the swing, but in the rhythm and tempo of the swing. It is finding the flow that leads to success.” -- Harry Vardon (1870 to 1937), who won The Open Championship six times and the U.S. Open once.
We know that golf is the world’s greatest game, but there is much common ground between all sports and all athletes. The observations and tips below from great athletes and coaches should help your golf game. And, yes, just for the record, golf is a sport!
If you don’t have confidence, you’ll always find a way not to win. – Sprinter and long jumper Carl Lewis (Born 1961), who won nine Olympic gold medals, one silver medal, and 10 World Championships medals, including eight gold.
Forget Power And Focus on Accuracy
It is extremely hard to learn how to shoot hard, and THEN work on your accuracy. I tried this in high school, and it does NOT work. The form you develop by focusing on power only is almost universally AWFUL. Focus on shooting the right way, and focus on putting the ball where you want it, THEN work your way up the power scale. Without control, pure power is garbage. – Connor Wilson, former Wesleyan University lacrosse coach
Know Your Limits
You cannot make the horse go any quicker than he can. You can’t make him any braver than he is. But you’ve got to calculate what his limits are. -- Brough Scott, an English horse-racing journalist and former jockey
You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way. Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise. – Michael Jordan, 14-time NBA All-Star
Watch Your Foot Contact The Ball
If you can see your foot strike the ball, you are kicking properly. Doing this also keeps your body in a slightly bent over position. Straightening up will kill some of the power release. – From Blast The Ball, an instructional soccer video.
I couldn't beat people with my strength; I don't have a hard shot; I'm not the quickest skater in the league. My eyes and my mind have to do most of the work. -- No. 99 Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One,” (Born 1961), who had 1,072 career goals in his NHL/WHA career.
Follow Through
“Let your bowling hand follow your ball toward your target. -- Hall of Fame Bowler Earl Anthony (1938 – 2001) who had 43 Tour wins, including 10 Majors.
The Eyes
“Once your sight your target, turn your eyes to the ball -- and keep them there. In 1980, I had more homers (24) than strikeouts (22). Ball focus works!” – Kansas City Royals all-time great George Brett (Born 1953), who was a 13-time All-Star. He had a career batting average of .305 and 3,154 hits.
Think More Like Mike Than John Daly,
Allan Stark
Photo Credits
Harry Vardon: George Grantham Bain Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Carl Lewis: KIHT, CCO, via Wiki Commons (1984 Olympics in LA).
Michael Jordan: Pro Shooter, Depositphotos.
Wayne Gretzy: Hakandahlstrom (Håkan Dahlström)Later versions were uploaded by IrisKawling at en.wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
George Brett: Allan Stark.
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