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Science Vs The Art of Golf
I have noticed something happening in the game of golf over the last couple of years, that golfers have become so wrapped up in numbers, angles, data etc, that they are losing the feel and the skill of how to play golf.
I understand that there needs to be a balance but am really not sure golfers do. There are many factors to what enables people to play great and this has been the same for over a century, like ever changing environmental conditions, strategies (knowing one's tendencies), motivation for the game, mental aspect, emotional aspect, and of course physical and technical aspect to consider.
My concern is we are providing better ball hitters, improved putting strokes, fitter and stronger humans, but not necessarily producing better golfers who shoot lower scores.
What are your opinions on this?
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Technology and golf improvement
I think we should definitely use science where ever it helps. The use of video and computer software has been an enormous step forward in our ability to communicate with students in a language that they understand. To be able to show them what they look like while hitting golf balls is truly valuable.
I'm not sure that 3d kinetic sequencing is relevant for the average golfer or that the latest golf clubs will be quick fix that everyone is looking for.
Certainly good golfers can play well with nearly any club and poor golfers can play poorly with the latest most technologically advanced clubs in the world. Its all about what we do with those clubs isn’t it?
I believe the core problem is that golf does not look that difficult. So when people start to play and find it much more difficult than they imagined, they start looking for ways to improve (because obviously some people can do it well, so they should be able to as well). We then have several world wide industries that have evolved to capitalise on this need.
There are no quick fixes or band-aid remedies. We need to have a practical and structured approach to golf improvement, incorporating good information with regular monitoring and refinement of technique.