Have you ever wondered how you can hit shots like a pro during practice and then struggle to break ninety? All golfers, at all skill levels, have experienced the wide discrepancy between practice and play.

What happens to all the “good stuff” during the ten-minute walk from the driving range to the first tee?

The answer is simple: On the driving range, you’ve been trying to correct the effects (ie swing mechanics) without addressing the underlying cause(s).

Feelings are causes – mechanics are effects.

If he can hit solid shots at range, then he has the ability. The key to recreating those shots is reinforcing the optimal feel.

Each steady swing contains three checkpoints or common positions.

The first checkpoint is the impact position. For a right-handed golfer, the left hand is opposite the left inner thigh at the moment of impact. Second position is the end of the backswing. On a full backswing, the player’s back is facing the target. The final control point occurs when the hands are approximately waist-height on the downswing. At this point, a line through the shaft of the club is pointing at the ball.

do you know the axiom “Only perfect practice makes perfect?” The phrase sounds logical, but how do we achieve the perfect practice? Rehearse these three positions accurately on a regular basis and you will achieve perfect practice.

Effective muscle memory is developed by constantly recreating key positions and the feel that goes with them. Your unique feel is the secret to continually improving your swing mechanics.

A common misconception is to equate the rate of improvement with the number of hours spent on the driving range. It’s not uncommon to hear golfers lament that the more they practiced, the worse they played.

To the golfer versed in the nuances of swing mechanics, the three positions described above may seem overly simplistic.

Study frame-by-frame photos of your favorite players and you’ll see past positions. Variations in grip, stance, serve, and backswing length are idiosyncrasies that a player has adopted to help recreate all three positions.

The ideal time to create new muscle memory is in the off-season.

The mind and muscles need time to accept new ideas and “forget” comfortable patterns. A full-length mirror will speed up your progress by helping you visualize positions while developing a unique feel. As your comfort level increases, try all three positions with your eyes closed.

In the next article, we’ll look at the most important factor affecting your ability to develop effective muscle memory.

Thank you for reading.