71. There is nothing in our human experience that serves as a frame of reference to help us to relate to the physical action required that is compatible with the unusual design of the Golf club

Golf as we all know is a difficult game due to the fact there is such a small margin for error. Coupled with that is the ever changing weather and course conditions along with our own feelings on any given day. These are the every day problems which face a player who has made progress but what of the person taking a swing for the very first time. He or she is asked to hold a club which is of a design unlike any other implement used in any sport and hit a ball that is extremely small and stationary.

If that person then takes a lesson, he or she is asked to make a series of body actions which feel impossible and swing the club at the same time. Winston Churchill once said “Golf is a game where one has to get a ball into a hole with an instrument that is ill designed for the job.” How true that statement reads. There is nothing in our human experience that serves as a frame of reference to help us to relate to the physical action required that is compatible with the unusual design of the club.

We cannot redesign the club but we can and have designed a swing that suits it. The problem is, because it is unique, it feels totally awkward when first attempted. Quite often, I have told new students that if they comfortable when they first try, the chances are they are doing it wrong. If you are just starting out in the game follow this sequence.

• Learn to swing the club first.
• Then learn how to get the swing to the ball.
• Then learn how to play.

Don’t make the mistake of attempting and expecting all three aspects within the first week month or year even. Golf experience is a slow learning process. You cannot force it to happen.